What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?

Compared to other adult-use and medical states, I’m happy to see Florida provide comparatively strict yet clear guidelines for MMTCs from seed to sale to ensure consistency and quality for patients.

Before recent advancements in the medical marijuana space, we saw patients forced to wait weeks to months to receive medication when their conditions were affecting their quality of life in the now. Other states limit access to routes and potencies which will not only limit the potential benefits of cannabis, but continue to lead patients down a trail to pharmaceutical drugs that may very well have negative consequences when compared to cannabis.

I am also happy to see a shift in respect for this alternative medication within the medical community. I have been and continue to be concerned with the lack of knowledge or understanding medical professionals may possess or even have access to with respect to recommending cannabis rather than prescribing something far more addictive and potentially harmful in the long run.

What motivates you to be a part of the cannabis Industry?

Beyond the potential health benefits cannabis is said to have, the possibility of making an impact in this industry with respect to social equity is attractive in itself. We are an incredibly resilient group of people who have fought endlessly to see legalization beyond state levels. To be living in a time in history where change is happening at an exponential rate, it would be selfish to leave this as a task for anyone else simply because it’s difficult or requires creative strategies alongside self-motivation and discipline.

What field are you in within the cannabis space?

I am in the retail, hospitality, and distribution sectors within the industry. For more than 7 years I have been actively involved, using my extensive professional background to my advantage. I own medical cannabis clinics throughout South Florida, national cannabis infused edible brands such as Sunbaked Goods, and will be introducing our consumption lounge concept in Q4 of 2022. Beyond my passions in business, I extend my reach across the global network of women within the industry, as the Executive Director for the National Women’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.

How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?

There are plenty of ways patients and advocates alike can benefit from what I have started and assist with in this space. From medical marijuana certifications, affordable and consistently dosed edibles, as well as access to business development strategies or capital introductions – I am here for the community.

How did you get started in the cannabis industry?

After running multi-location operations for another group, I purchased my first location on South Beach; turning a clinic that grossed 15k monthly into an average of 45k monthly within 30 days. I then adjusted this model and expanded our service and retail offerings over the past 3 years.

Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational Marijuana/cannabis and how will that affect your business?

I see Florida moving forward with recreational cannabis within the next 2-3 years if federal legalization doesn’t arrive beforehand. As the professionalization and legalization of the cannabis industry has both positive and negative consequences across different sectors, the key for anyone is to continuously be well-versed and up to date with regulations and compliance. No one will be able to keep up without evolving. For smaller businesses such as mine that don’t quite measure up with larger MSOs, it’s imperative we support each other and promote growth from within. Alongside this, I see the benefits when utilizing all resources of a business to their furthest extent; essentially throwing 100 things at a wall to see one stick. I have first-hand experience seeing something I originally didn’t plan to see impressive results from, take off.