Medical Cannabis Therapeutics & Advocacy

Medical Cannabis Therapeutics

As many of you know, I have obtained my Master of Science Degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore’s School of Pharmacy in May, 2023. As I moved through my classes and lectures, symposiums, conferences, speakers, research and networking, I have never felt so sure about the work I am doing and the field of study I am transitioning into.

Cannabis Therapeutics Coaching

I am excited to work with you and those you love, navigating the complex world of cannabis therapeutics and integrative practices to support your healing and well-being journey. My formal MS in Cannabis Therapeutics coupled with my 20 years of integrative health practices including yoga, mindfulness, fitness, meditation, nutritional studies, personal cannabis and psychedelic experiences and professional life coaching business, offer you a wholistic and deeply personal opportunity to be supported during these non-ordinary states of consciousness and those extremely ripe and ready opportunities of neural plasticity in the windows before and after treatments. My expertise in cannabis administration, understanding metabolism, drug effect and poly-pharmacy are critical when choosing the right medicine and methodology.

My Cannabis Story.

Throughout my youth, I was not a cannabis (marijuana) user. Although there were people close to me who were using marijuana in high school and beyond, I was pretty “straight and narrow” when it came to controlled substances. I bought into the “this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs” commercials and certainly didn’t want to have a fried egg for a brain. I had tried smoking marijuana in my mid to late 20s on occasion and just didn’t feel like that was my thing. I was often left feeling paranoid or sleepy and when I used it mixed it with alcohol, I became sick. So, no pot for me!

Flash forward to my mid 40’s, I am in recovery, supporting my alcohol sobriety through yoga, teaching this practice to anyone and everyone willing to practice with me. That story is on the other pages of this website. And it’s at this time, that cannabis shows back up in my life. In 2016, I return from India and struggle with dysentery for months. By 2017, I am giving cannabis a try. Edibles. And they seem to be helping in addition to the medicine and other natural remedies I am using. I find cannabis supporting a return to homeostasis for my physiological systems that were out of flux for almost a year, while supporting neuropathic pain from injuries and joint and muscle overuse. I also begin to notice that when I was using cannabis, my anxiety, and frequent depression subsided and my hyperactive and chronic fight or flight reactivity was muted.

I continued to use cannabis. I researched studies and uses being reported on the west coast and began talking to friends and professionals in mental health about my experiences. I share my story with my students, friends and even family who were interested and began to support them through coaching and education on the benefits of cannabis and chronic conditions.

If you know me, you can attest first hand that cannabis never made me a slacker, or robbed me of inspiration, joy, intelligence or motivation. I believe cannabis supported a more healthy approach to my life and continues to support me as a "treatment, a tonic and a teacher”, to quote one of the most knowledgeable cannabis doctors in the U.S., Dr. Dustin Sulak.

Medical Cannabis is legal in 38 states throughout the U.S. and growing with now 24 states, two territories, and D.C. with adult use regulations . As you can see in the infographic below, cannabis is a national issue 91% of Americans can agree about. That says a lot. Across a nation frequently divided, we are coming together in medicinal use for cannabis. And this is not new. Cannabis as a therapeutic was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia since 1850 and used widely as a patent medicine through out the 19th and early 20th centuries until 1937, when prohibition failed and law makers were refocusing on discriminatory and racist policies that become the “The War on Drugs” I shared in my first paragraph. Officially, as of 1970 these political propaganda driven policies positioned cannabis as one of THE most dangerous substances to humans. Policies went even further and beyond criminalizing, by limited research and accessibility for medical, academia, and all scientific study. Any research that was allowed was to focus on the harm and abuse liability, to support the policies and legislature in place that was funding agencies with billion dollar budgets with a penchant for social injustice and racial profiling.

There is quite a sordid tale that is cannabis. I want you to know about it. I continue to be fascinated by its complexities, opportunities and teachings, globally and within my own inner world.

I am available to speak at your next group meeting, conference and one-on-one about how I believe cannabis and psychedelic medicines can help heal the suffering in our world. Reach out to me here at karen@karenjaynes.com