The Real Reason to Work in Cannabis
Lots of people want to work in cannabis these days for lots of different reasons. Perhaps they want to be part of the “disruption,” or they want to build the “next new thing,” or they just like to smoke pot and think it would be cool to work in the “weed industry."
I got into the cannabis business for none of these reasons. I just happened to know someone in the industry who asked me to lead Insights for a fast growing cannabis dispensary brand. And for this, I am extremely grateful.
Reflecting on the year I spent at MedMen, I agree that the cannabis industry is really exciting, even though it has more than its fair share of challenges. However, on a personal/professional level, it was extremely rewarding to work in an industry that is really helping people to live better lives, because, simply, cannabis makes them feel better. As part of my role, I spoke with physicians and other healthcare professionals, learned a lot about the science and physiology of cannabis, and understand that it can:
Help people sleep
Manage stress and anxiety
Relieve chronic pain
Decrease inflammation
Manage seizures
Provide an alternate to addictive prescription medicines
Hey, it can even help you have better sex!
I’ve been a moderator for almost 20 years, and over the years I’ve heard stories from people that gave me chills, made me feel, made me cry and/or made me laugh. And, similarly, while conducting research for MedMen, I met so many people whose challenging lives have been positively impacted by the plant, for example:
A 32 year-old woman, on disability from the NYPD, who can't comfortably sit or walk, but fears getting addicted to opioids because her best friend died from an overdose. Cannabis makes her pain bearable.
A 61 year-old man, retired, because his "job" is to stay alive while battling stage 4 Multiple Myeloma. Cannabis makes his pain and nausea tolerable, and gives him back his appetite.
A 58 year-old woman with severe social anxiety. Cannabis allows her to confidently go out in public and experience normal social situations.
In the Consumer Insights/Marketing business, we don’t often get to have “all the feels” that other professions (doctors/nurses, not-for-profit, and so on) do. I’m delighted that my experience in cannabis has given me the opportunity to see the positive, real life impact the plant can have on people’s lives. And I also hope that as legalization and social acceptance continues to expand, more people will have the opportunity to see how cannabis can improve their life.
And for me, that’s the real reason to work in cannabis...really, to do anything.