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Back Cover Story: Cannabis Spotlight

Continued from back cover How did you get started within
What motivates you to be a part the cannabis industry?
of the cannabis industry? Interestingly I received a call from a
I enjoy providing the education patients friend, a retired DEA agent, in 2016. He
need to begin the process of obtaining said, “If amendment 2 is passed in Florida
their MMJ card and understanding whole I have an opportunity for you if you are
plant medicine. Being able to see the relief interested. I know you are a great business
and quality of life breathed back into them professional, and it would be great to have
is very motivational. I want to continue to you onboard.” And so, it began. While this
bridge the gap and to rid the stigma that opportunity did not work out, I had a
still surrounds this amazing plant medi- vision and it taught me enough to go at it
cine. Education is key and it cannot end. on my own. I had to educate myself to
Florida was slow to implement what was believe in what I would be doing. I spent
passed by 71.6% of voters. So, the last 5 hours, nights and weekends doing so. I
years has been a journey. We are getting was a General Manager in retail and
there, but we need to put the patient first worked a very demanding schedule. I was
in all that we do. literally working 7 days a week, setting up
my life to ensure that I could leave my ‘day
What field are you in within the job.’ I was able to do so in 2019 and have
cannabis space? never looked back. My quality of life has
I am the Founder of MMCare of Florida improved tremendously. I have built
(Medical Marijuana Care of Florida), in strong relationships with the industry pio-
Brooksville, FL. I incorporated in 2017 neers and others getting started just like
and have not stopped evolving. MMCare is me. I obviously had some great help along
more than just a Cannabis Clinic. I also the way that has led to the success of
serve as a Physician Consultant to assist MMCare, and I remain grateful.
physicians who want to get into the
Cannabis Space. We offer internships with Are you personally a MJ card
our physician and start-up consulting. holder?
Yes. When I left my corporate job, I
How can people in Florida obtained my card.
benefit from the company you
represent? Do you see Florida moving
Floridians can feel comfortable that forward with recreational
MMCare of Florida puts patients above Marijuana/cannabis and how
profits. We offer in-depth education and will that affect your business?
are always available for assistance. We care I believe that Florida will move forward
about patient results and, if necessary, will with recreational, and I absolutely support
do a plan reset. We are not a ‘one and done’ and believe it is the best for our patients.
clinic. Our current Physician is a retired Patients will still need the education to get
General Surgeon whose passion for edu- started and continued guidance if it is for
cating and ensuring patients understand relief of medical conditions. Having a
how to begin is unparalleled in the indus- medical card also means the patient will
try. He gets to know his patients and they not be required to pay taxes that all recre-
walk away with a new understanding of ational states impose on our medicine.
their bodies and why Cannabis works. We Children will always need a recommend-
are comfortable evaluating pediatrics as ing physician so there will still be a need
well. Children deserve access to natural for Medical Cannabis. Again, patient first
medicine and parents deserve the right to and all else will fall into place. Being
afford natural health care. Veterans are a deemed essential during the COVID-19
priority as well. They can benefit with dis- pandemic only furthered our cause. The
counts given to them through our clinic. science is there. The movement is strong.

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30 September 2022 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida