The Conversation, Cannabis & Christianity podcast

Jarrod is an active duty U.S. Navy Commander with 19 years of service and expertise in supply chain logistics, and he is planning his exit from military service. With a Master's of Science in National Security and Resource Strategy, an MBA and a B.S. in Geology, Jarrod launched the Liberty Accelerator Program with the intent to help military members and their family change their mindset on what family readiness means for their health, for their finances and in their relationships. Jarrod discusses his experiences with mental health challenges and his thoughts on the Department of Veterans Affairs providing medicinal marijuana to veterans, as veteran opioid deaths continue to rise. Jarrod also discusses his thoughts and beliefs on the complexity of this life we live in the 21st Century. 

Food is medicine, medicine is food. Horace studied the Science of Alternative and Integrative Medicine and set out on a journey to learn what causes illness and how to rid one's body of causative factors. Mindset is the first step. Horace has observed that many of us are not enjoying the health our bodies are designed to experience. Stress, low hydration and too much caffeine to stimulate us into action can be very hard on the human adrenal glands, which alters moods and quality of life. Sometimes convenience does more harm than good, and when this happens it is time to reset the Mind and take inventory of what is going into not only our stomachs but our eyes and ears. I also ask Horace if he believes the universe and all life in it is the result of a series of accidents, or, is there an intelligent designer behind it. 

Jessica Gonzalez is a Mother on a mission! After cannabis significantly improved her life from years of prescription drug and alcohol abuse, Jessica created a cannabis infused "Neighborhood" via her Instagram page @themommyjane where she shares her life as a mom and entrepreneur in the cannabis industry. Jessica truly believes cannabis saved her life, and loves inspiring her "Neighbors" to become advocates of their own health and wellness often sharing ways to consume more mindfully and live more consciously, focusing on the fact that cannabis education, like everything, starts at home. In 2019, she certified as a mindset coach to take her advocacy a step further with the goal of empowering others to change their lives by changing their mindset, emphasizing that cannabis is medicine, but it is not a cure-all. Through education and awareness, Jessica is hoping to use her platform to break the stigma of how CannaMoms are perceived in society, all while changing the mindset of an infantile industry to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and beliefs so they don't lose the intent of the mission: To normalize, de-stigmatize and decriminalize plant medicine.

Dr. Mainville is currently on staff with Apollo Applied Research Inc. in Ontario, Canada, which is dedicated to researching the most effective, reliable & high quality medical cannabis to help patients achieve a better quality of life. With more than 30 years of experience as an Emergency Room doctor and 30 years as a Coroner for the Province of Ontario (conducting both Investigations & Inquests), Dr. Mainville has been involved full time in multiple aspects of the cannabis industry since early 2016. She is a member of the Special Operations Medical Association, and one of only two Canadian members of the Western Trauma Association. She has a particular interest in the applications of medical cannabis in physical and psychological trauma, both long term and acutely. And she particularly enjoys seeing patients with fibromyalgia smile. It is an educational episode with Dr. Barbara Mainville!!! 

Keith pastors at a Church for the homeless and he answers the heavy questions that many Christians struggle with: What is the biblical difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? What do the 10 Commandments mean to a believer in Jesus Christ? Is the cannabis plant part of God's design for earth and humans made in His image? It is an insightful conversation!!!

Sherry Bennett is a Medical Cannabis Educator and the Founder and Managing Director of Let’s Talk Cannabis™ (LTC) and Bayview Concierge Inc. She has an extensive background in the Family Services Industry and has referred countless individuals to the professional resources they need to help manage the logistics of life. Known for her expertise and advocacy, Sherry is a business professional who values collaboration, communication, education and compassion. Her focus is and has always been to provide unparalleled education and support for clients, especially for senior citizens and those receiving palliative/hospice care. Sherry's personal story is one of perseverance in the face of major traumas and the misunderstood stigmas that often accompany them. Sherry's story is truly amazing and the drive in her to help others is undeniable.

Rahman Shareef is a native of East Lansing, Michigan & a current resident of Detroit, Michigan. Rahman works as a business & community services professional, & by faith he is Muslim. Faith, knowledge, self determination, & self motivation to overcome the obstacles life presents are the principles Rahman has embraced & grown into. He had the unique experience of becoming a father at the young age of 17 while in high school, & married for the first time at 19. From being a young parent, marrying early in life, then divorced & remarried all while working two jobs & completing college degrees, Rahman knows a lot about life’s joys and pains. Today Rahman is proud of all Allah & his religion of Islam has done for him, including a second marriage, now of 22 years, 6 children, 6 grand-children & the completion of a Master of Business Administration & post graduate certificate. Perseverance is most amazing when it is witnessed in the lives of people. Rahman's story is one of perseverance & faith. 

As the Director of Social Equity and Inclusion, Tahir advances MPP’s mission of achieving social justice for those impacted by cannabis prohibition. With a focus on licensing equity, he develops educational resources for industry stakeholders and heads an accountability task force to support members’ equity program goals.

Prior to joining MPP, Tahir was the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at the National Cannabis Industry Association. A skilled networker, Tahir also has extensive hands-on industry experience in the retail sector as a medical cannabis patient counselor and has applied for business licenses in both Maryland and New Jersey. Before he pursued his passion for supporting the cannabis community, he worked as a financial advisor and served on the diversity council of Morgan Stanley.

Tahir attended Howard University, where he majored in marketing. He also holds a Marijuana Master Certificate from the Cannabis Training University and a certification in Indoor Horticulture from Oaksterdam University. Outside of work, he produces and hosts the podcast, Cannabis Diversity Report, and enjoys spending time with his two daughters.

Tahir is also a Christian. We discuss how his marijuana use has impacted his family and how he spoke to his Church's pastor about his marijuana use. It is very interesting to hear the stories of all people, and Tahir is the podcast's first Christian guest who uses cannabis. Give Tahir's story a listen, you will be intrigued!!! 

Susie Bee is a single mum of 3 boys, of whom her middle son is autistic and non-verbal. Her interest in the cannabis industry comes from years of recreational use and research along the way. Ultimately, it would be Susie's drive to help her autistic son improve his quality of life that led her to found Susie's Hemp in the United Kingdom. Because Susie's autistic son has very specific requirements for his dietary needs, oral CBD products were not an option. Then Susie discovered CBD Patches, which have been life changing for her son and her household. Now, Susie wants to help others with disabilities. Give a listen to Susie's tremendous story, you will be inspired!  

Joyce Gerber is an attorney, advocate and writer and has brought her exceptional organizational skills, patience and compassion to the emerging cannabis industry. She is the creator and host of The Canna Mom Show where she is using her unique voice to help change the narrative around cannabis and caregiving. When not advocating for cannabis normalization, Joyce is active with many community and civic organizations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband, children, pets and several students from the Berklee School of Music. In her spare time she has managed a rock band, ran for a local political office, and likes to create beautiful quilts for friends and family. Joyce has degrees from Northeastern University, Tufts University and Connecticut College. When asked to describe his mom, her son Josh said, “she’s a force to be reckoned with.”