Today we’d like to introduce you to Biyyiah Lee and Ebony Smith. Them and their team share their story with us below:
The medicinal properties of cannabis and its components have been the subject of research and heated debate for decades. Additionally, more critical conversations around cannabis’ inclusion in the war on drugs and ultimate targeting on Black and brown communities has grown exponentially. This unconventional yet essential connection of cannabis, healthcare, social justice, and equity is where we understand the impact and need for Midwest CannaNurses.
Midwest CannaNurses is a vision of two registered nurses– Chicago-native Biyyiah Lee MSN, RN, PAHM, and Detroit-native Ebony Smith BSN, RN, who in 2020 decided to help society “Outgrow the Stigma” around cannabis consumption through education and advocacy. Biyyiah and Ebony were in what they like to call “the cannabis closet,” afraid of how researching, advocating, and consuming would impact their nursing licenses. Navigating this new and risky space as working nurses, they focused on one area of the business– social equity. This allowed them to grow and find their voice as medical thought-leaders while advocating for people of color to be included in the conversation around the cannabis industry.
During their social equity efforts, MCN worked on a social equity workgroup to create a space for Black and brown people to be included in the cannabis industry’s growth. This allowed them to connect with license holders and other businesses to understand how they were interfacing with their patients. Additionally, MCN designed presentations targeted at communities of color to connect self-care and cannabis, cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how to have more informed cannabis consumption amid its significant and ultimate rise.
With success in the social equity arena, they realized the deficits in education around cannabis as well. MCN added specialties in cannabis education around community nursing, public health, women’s health (during pregnancy, postpartum and sexual health), fitness, and general academia. This afforded them the trust from the community to work with and connect with a wide variety of patients. MCN’s extensive understanding and incorporation of holistic practices that provide a well-rounded experience for patients extends beyond the capabilities of budtenders and will fill the void of patient-friendly dispensaries–both medical and recreational. This realization further empowered MCN to create job and mentorship opportunities for healthcare providers and provide a space for more trained nurses to work directly with cannabis license holders.
There is something magical that happens when you start to fully embody your purpose, see the impact and the need for the notable work you do. The women of MCN’s fear were replaced with passion for the community’s needs and those around the country that will benefit from the type of resources they provide. Patients are entitled to the services MCN provides and should be respected and viewed through their whole health picture. From their comorbidities, prescription medications, other supplements, and overall lifestyle, and incorporating THAT into their holistic cannabis plan.
As the consumer population grows, the need for more healthcare professionals that can provide guidance and encourage informed decision-making; MCN now has the following growing team of professional women that have taken on the charge to create change in the cannabis space:
Biyyiah Lee, MSN, RN, PAHM – CEO and President
Ebony Smith, BSN, RN – Vice President of Community Outreach and Engagement
Cherie Cofield, Ph.D., RN – Vice President of Education and Research
Kristine Walton, MSN, RN – Vice President of Strategic Partnership Development
Antonice Strickland, MPS – Vice President of Marketing and Communications
3 Additional Cannabis Nurse Consultants (LPN-RN)
Keyona Tolbert, LPN
Erica Bradford, BSN, RN
Latanya Pankey, MSN, RN
“There is a high level of importance shaping the cannabis industry through the lens of a nurse. Nurses are one of the most trusted groups of professionals; therefore, we are able to break the stigma barriers around cannabis, and we use our healthcare knowledge to help patients navigate safely and confidently. Let’s Outgrow The Stigma.”
– Midwest CannaNurses
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?Stigma has always been a barrier to incorporating our knowledge of cannabis and the Endocannabinoid system into our traditional roles as nurses. Because cannabis remains a schedule I drug at the federal level, most healthcare organizations, institutions, and professionals have steered clear of formally recognizing its medicinal benefits.
This causes us to be overly mindful of the potential negative impact that public advocacy can have on our nursing licenses. As a result, we are sometimes not able to fully deliver our vision in healthcare spaces where some of the most vulnerable populations are in need.
In addition, the schedule I status of cannabis has limited the supply of quality research available on it. Evidence-based practice is the gold standard amongst all healthcare disciplines. Not having current research to back up the anecdotal health advances related to cannabis that we see today makes it all the more difficult for cannabis to be accepted as alternative medicinal therapy among the greater healthcare population. For MCN, this means that our services are oftentimes rejected and/or underutilized by the bodies that need them the most.
Lastly, Cannabis’ federal status makes it hard for related businesses to obtain traditional funding despite not being plant-touching. Without having a wealthy background or financially stable friends and family, obtaining capital to operate and grow is a daunting task for us, like most underrepresented business owners. Lack of access to funding and resources has minimized our reach and scaling in regard with education and resource development.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Midwest CannaNurses (MCN)?
Midwest CannaNurses™ (MCN) Consulting is a black women-owned, registered nurse-operated consulting company with a focus on helping society “Outgrow the Stigma” of cannabis through education and advocacy. We offer a variety of informational services, including medical cannabis consulting and training for healthcare professionals, cannabis education programming for communities and organizations, and hosting of cannabis social and wellness events and programming. We are a minority-owned holistic health and wellness education consulting company based in Detroit, Michigan. The company is dedicated to health advocacy, education, and inclusion with a focus on cannabis as alternative plant therapy. Special education and outreach sessions target communities and persons that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. Midwest CannaNurses™ works toward and emits a call to action for corresponding industries such as education, healthcare, politics, and entertainment to equip those who want proper educational and spatial resources to mindfully consume cannabis products.
Our biggest accomplishment thus far has been taking initiative on our own to “Outgrow the Stigma” related to cannabis consumption. Despite advances in legislation, cannabis remains a taboo subject. When we first began on this journey, we were intimidated by its complicated history and the notion of working outside of our scope of practice, ultimately negatively impacting our nursing licenses. As time went on, we became more aware of our civic duty to communities harmed by the war on drugs and the power of representation. We chose to view involvement with and in cannabis as a tool that could positively impact the social determinants of health, and that made us change agents in the community.
To turn something that was once demonized and weaponized against groups of color into a source of empowerment and wellness is an accomplishment that we have yet to fully measure… However, as we understand its immediate impact and value, we will continue to uplift these groups via purposeful education and advocacy.
What makes you happy?
Servicing the City of Detroit full of people that look like us!
The people! Detroit is a beautiful city! The amazing skyline views from downtown are breathtaking at night, but the pride and resiliency of Detroiters is unmatched! We love our city, and that includes the good, bad and ugly. From our die-hard fans with unwavering loyalty for our inconsistent sports teams to the underdog mentality of Detroit vs. Everybody, our culture and story is something to be proud of. Our reputation precedes us wherever we go, and we stand tall on that. The Spirit of Detroit is alive and thriving.
Detroit has a rich history and to those unfamiliar with its true character, it could also be viewed as controversial or as a place to steer clear of. Detroit has a stigma just like that of cannabis. It is a city misunderstood and, in some cases, demonized by outsiders through a negative lens. Despite the misconceptions, Detroit has so much to offer and is a great place to visit. We love to dispel the myths tied to the city and welcome those who are brave enough to find out for themselves.
Pricing:
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For Patients Cannabis – Education and Coaching Sessions
Pre-Cannabis Coaching Screening – 15 mins – Free
Initial Cannabis Coaching Meeting – 60 mins – $150
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For Healthcare Professionals – Education
Continuing Education Workshops for Healthcare Professionals: $49.99 per CEU
Medical Cannabis Consultant Certification Program: $599.00 per person (Coming Soon)
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For Cannabusinesses and State license holders – Education
Employee Cannabis Therapeutics, Regulation, and Compliance Training: $599 per person Cannabis Nurse Consulting $150 per hour
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For Community Enrichment Speaking engagements:
Based on time commitment, $150 per hour consultant fee
Cannabis Education Seminars: Services start at $499 per event
For detailed information and topics and booking, please visit our website below.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mcn.health
- Book a consultation: calendly.com/mcn-health
- For inquiries: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwestcannanurses/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidwestCannaNurses
