Featured Member

I became interested in medical cannabis through my own lived experience. While managing ulcerative colitis, I was searching for relief that felt effective and sustainable beyond long-term pharmaceutical use. Cannabis provided meaningful symptom relief and prompted me to ask deeper questions about why it isn’t more openly discussed or understood in healthcare. As a social worker, I saw how cannabis sits at the intersection of health, stigma, policy, and equity—particularly for Black and Brown communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. That experience led me to pursue formal training in medical cannabis science and therapeutics so I could engage with the topic from an evidence-based, ethical, and educational perspective.

My background in medical cannabis is grounded in both formal education and applied, on-the-ground experience. Prior to earning my Master’s degree in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, I worked for 3 years as a patient advisor and budtender at a medical cannabis dispensary in Baltimore City during Maryland's early days of medical cannabis legalization. In that role, I supported patients navigating new and often confusing regulations, provided education on products and routes of administration, and witnessed firsthand the gaps in access, stigma, and patient understanding. In 2021, I founded Canna Heals, LLC, a cannabis education and wellness consulting company focused on providing evidence-informed, compassionate guidance around medical cannabis and mental health. I focused on popping up at local dispensaries and providing relatable online resources to followers about cannabis education. I later served as a teaching assistant in the MCST program and now work as an adjunct faculty member, course developer, and course manager. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I approach medical cannabis through a mental health, patient education, and equity-informed lens—emphasizing evidence-based practice, ethical care, and the broader social and policy contexts that shape access to treatment.

Professionally, I am engaged in work at the intersection of mental health, cannabis science, education, and equity. I am currently leading an IRB-approved research study examining mindfulness, self-determination, and the therapeutic use of medical cannabis, and I am actively recruiting participants through my website, www.paulettesimone.com. I was awarded a grant to lead Mindful Morgan, a university-based initiative focused on expanding mindfulness-informed wellness supports within the campus community. Alongside this work, I continue to publish and disseminate scholarship on cannabis, mental health, social work, and public health. My recent publications include work on the cannabis–mind connection, exploring stigma, and the clinician’s role in navigating cannabis use ethically and in an evidence-informed way, as well as scholarship focused on reframing cannabis prohibition within social work and public health, examining stigma, policy, and structural inequities. In addition, I am a meditation teacher on Insight Timer, where I regularly contribute guided meditations centered on grounding, self-trust, and emotional regulation. Through Canna Heals, LLC, I provide cannabis education, consultations, and wellness programming designed to deliver evidence-informed, compassionate, and accessible information to individuals and communities. Personally, I am focused on maintaining balance and well-being while holding multiple professional roles. I continue to deepen my own mindfulness and meditation practice, attend to physical health, and prioritize rest, creativity, and meaningful connection. This personal grounding supports how I show up in my work—allowing me to engage with this field thoughtfully, ethically, and with care.

I was drawn to the Society of Cannabis Clinicians because it brings together a community of like-minded professionals who are committed to evidence-based cannabis education, ethical practice, and patient-centered care. What I enjoy most about this community is the opportunity to connect with clinicians and educators who are deeply engaged in thoughtful dialogue about cannabis—across disciplines, settings, and perspectives. Being part of SCC allows me to continue growing my understanding of cannabis science, clinical considerations, and evolving policy while staying grounded in shared values around education, integrity, and reducing stigma.

My hope for the future of cannabis medicine is that it is grounded in equity and repair. I want to see the communities that have been most harmed and marginalized by cannabis prohibition meaningfully included in the industry through access, opportunity, and reinvestment. That includes equitable pathways to education, licensure, research participation, and economic opportunity, as well as fair access to cannabis as a therapeutic option without stigma or unnecessary barriers. Ultimately, I hope cannabis medicine becomes a space where healing extends beyond individual patients to include community repair, justice, and accountability for past harms.

Outside of my work in mental health, research, and cannabis education, I’m a creative storyteller at heart. I hold a bachelor’s degree in communication and enjoy videography, photography, and editing both professionally and personally. I love using visual storytelling to bring complex topics—like cannabis science, wellness, and equity—to life in accessible and engaging ways. Whether I’m creating educational content or documenting moments that matter, being behind the camera is one of the ways I stay connected to purpose, creativity, and community.