Joan’s Life Before Senior High
Throughout my career I’ve served in all levels of government service, as well as in the academic, nonprofit, and private sectors. I’ve been an advocate in the areas of education equity, community, and economic development. Today I serve as a passionate advocate for the cannabis industry, along with heading Herbal Alternatives’ Senior High page, because medical cannabis literally saved my life.
I remember my fiftieth birthday like it was yesterday. If I’m honest with myself, it was the last time I felt truly happy and healthy. Over the next few years my health declined drastically. In chronic pain, I was depressed and unable to be get an accurate diagnosis.
I was prescribed a wide range of medications – steroids, antidepressants, sleeping pills and many I can’t remember. My professional and personal life suffered as well as my physical appearance – many folks I knew well later admitted that they nearly did not recognize me.
While my health was fragile my credentials were impeccable, having spent my career in various high ranking government roles including being named as the first woman to serve as National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the United States Department of Commerce under President Bill Clinton.
Invited to apply for a very prestigious position, I sailed through the many interviews, faking wellness while I was in pain and suffering from depression and anxiety. I got the position but was fired three months later. In constant pain, I was fearful of the present and future. Then my life changed when I walked into a medical cannabis dispensary. I feel better at 70 than I did when I was much younger.
Advocating for Medical Cannabis
I currently serve as a patient advocate and consultant for Herbal Alternatives, a DC-licensed medical cannabis dispensary. Herbal Alternatives’ mission is to promote natural cannabis solutions that enhance the health and well-being of registered patients in a safe, open and a caring environment.
I advocate for patients to ensure that they have safe, affordable, and reasonable legal access to the District of Columbia medical cannabis program. I’m able to teach about the health and economic benefits of medical cannabis to the community at large, and to public and elected officials. I advocate as a pivotal voice of patients to support reasonable regulations and enforcement of the program, while promoting industry best practices.
My history and my firmly grounded belief in the medicinal aspects of cannabis led to the development of my passion project Senior High–which is dedicated to promoting the benefits of cannabis for seniors worldwide. Cannabis may be the key that allows us to continue living and loving our lives.
