What’s the biggest challenge facing the cannabis industry right now, and how are you and/or your company addressing it?
There so many challenges we are facing but I would say the biggest one is education. Getting education to the mainstream is incredibly difficult with all the restrictions on cannabis and there is so much bad information out there distracting people from the truth. We also need more research to get answers that have been blocked by federal prohibition. Since I have a background in biology and pharmaceutical science, I prioritize communicating important information through blog posts, podcast interviews and in daily conversations with pretty anyone who will listen. Honestly, I feel like sharing real information about cannabis is a responsibility those of us close to the plant have until we have better channels to get this information to the public.
Where do you see the most exciting opportunity for growth and innovation in cannabis?
I’m super excited to see what diseases we can treat with unique cannabinoid combinations. We have so much anecdotal evidence of cannabis helping many diseases. With the proper research, I believe that we will find treatments that won’t require the same trials as novel pharmaceuticals since cannabis has been used in people throughout history. We’ve already seen some really interesting studies with hemp derived cannabinoids and if cannabis is no longer a Schedule I drug, we can actually do the research we need. I personally take CBG daily as a therapeutic and have found that it helps with anxiety and also may be helping regulate my thyroid disorder. So much untapped potential!
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into the cannabis industry?
Cannabis is a calling. It’s not for the faint of heart, and to persevere, you need to have a deep passion for the plant. I firmly believe that what I’m doing in the cannabis space will change in the next five years, and that’s part of what I love about this industry. I feel like people that are successful in this industry recognize that we are here to help serve the plant and help provide access to all who want it. It’s exciting and fun and there’s so much room for lots of different skill sets, but it’s also a lot of hard work and you face unique challenges so that passion for the plant is key!
What is the most important thing you have learned from your experiences in the cannabis industry?
Collaboration is king! I realized pretty early on that cannabis is different, and though competition is critical in business, collaboration is key to success in this industry. It makes sense since cannabis is about community, and it’s been beautiful to see how people work together and lift each other up. It also makes sense since there are so many forms of opposition that we need to stick together to move forward.
What do you want your legacy to be as it relates to the cannabis industry?
I came to cannabis to help make the industry more reputable. My background is in pharma and, love it or hate it, I am bringing a lot of processes, learnings, and software expertise that can benefit cannabis. I want to help grow this industry in a way that helps destigmatize, helps normalize, and helps bring plant medicine to all who want to use it. And I want to do it in the right way, with integrity and not comprising on my beliefs. More specifically for my business, I want to help operators make better software decisions and implement the right data analytics so their businesses can succeed in this difficult industry. In short, I want to make this industry a better place.
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