Episode 03: Cannabis: A mental health ally first and foremost

When I stepped away from the corporate cannabis world, I didn’t fully grasp what was waiting for me behind the counter of my own dispensary. I had just come out of building a powerhouse—212 CBD franchises sold, 40+ dispensaries, a full-blown manufacturing and distribution operation, and over 120 employees. We didn’t just play the game; we ran the table. But even with all that, I was disconnected from something crucial: the people.

Owning a dispensary is like holding an open invitation for people to walk in and spill the contents of their heart. Day in and day out, I meet folks who come in talking about pain, insomnia, inflammation, the occasional tummy ache—things we traditionally associate with cannabis use. And yes, the plant is miraculous for those ailments.

But here’s what I quickly learned: most people come in for relief from something you can’t always see—stress, anxiety, trauma, and burnout. And the more time I spent on the floor, the more I realized that cannabis is, at its core, a mental health medication. It’s not always advertised that way, but talk to enough real people for long enough, and the truth becomes undeniable.

I’ve said before and I’ll say again—cannabis isn’t everything. It doesn’t replace therapy, honest relationships, clean nutrition, or sleep. It doesn’t teach you about boundaries or save you from your own shadow work. But what it can do is give you a moment of peace long enough to take that next step. And for many of us, that’s everything.

I’ve been journaling my personal cannabis experience for over six years. What I’ve discovered isn’t based on theories—it’s based on real, lived experience and deep observation. Let me share a few truths I’ve uncovered (and trust me, there’s more to come):

1. Cannabis can cause anxiety.

Yeah, I said it. We all have endocannabinoid systems, but we don’t all respond the same way. I’ve seen over 20 patients who experience anxiety when limonene and pinene are present in high concentrations. This isn’t anecdotal—it’s chemistry. Cannabis isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the wrong terpene profile can set your nerves on fire. That’s why understanding the plant is just as important as using it.

2. You can smoke your way out of a bad high.

It’s happened to all of us. You light up, exhale, and suddenly your brain is bouncing around like a pinball machine. When that happens to me, I don’t freak out—I pivot. I change cannabinoids. I reach for a different terpene profile. THC is just one of over 100 cannabinoids. Often, what people think is “too much THC” is actually a lack of balance. You don’t always need less cannabis—you just need different cannabis.

3. Edibles DO work.

Let me say it louder for the people in the back: Edibles work for everyone. If someone tells you they don’t, chances are they’re using the wrong format or not giving their body the right environment to absorb them. Full-spectrum tinctures, especially sublinguals, are rich in nutrients that your body wants. And CBD? It’s a godsend for inflammation and gut health. So don’t give up because of one bad experience—learn, adjust, and find your formula.

4. “Cannabis makes you lazy” is the biggest myth of all.

Yes, some strains are sedating. And guess what? That’s a good thing for people struggling with pain, anxiety, PTSD, or insomnia. But not all cannabis is couch-lock cannabis. There are combinations of THC, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes that can fire you up like a double espresso. Personally, I smoke to get focused. Certain strains like Super Silver Haze unlock my creativity and help manage my ADHD. Toss 15mg of THC-V into the mix and watch your energy climb while your appetite chills out.

Cannabis isn’t just for the hippies anymore. It’s for the CEOs, the artists, the single parents, the broken hearts, and the people clawing their way back to the light. It’s for the ones who are trying—really trying—to live a better, more intentional life.

We just need to keep telling the truth about it.

I’ll keep journaling. Keep learning. Keep listening to the people who walk into my shop and sit with me in honesty. This is just the beginning. There’s so much more to unpack—CBG, CBN, the gut-brain connection, personalized terpene profiles, and so much more.

So stay with me. If you’re looking for real conversations about healing, intention, and the plant that’s helped me and so many others—this is the space. I’m not here to sell you on a high. I’m here to talk about wholeness.

Let’s keep going.