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Women of Distinction

Although it was an entirely should do when trying to select a than 0.3% THC (a psychoactive rewarding experiences of my life,’.
different field for Pelin – one CBD product to assure they are in compound). Due to decades of Pelin serves on the Foun-
she didn’t have a formal educa- fact receiving what they are paying prohibition, much of the hemp dation’s Donor Relations and
tion in - she found that she was for. used for the CBD products in this Stewardship Committee, Inno-
approaching it with the same kind “Given current lack of FDA country is imported, primarily vation and Entrepreneurship
of thinking that served her so well regulation, one of the best ways from China and Eastern Europe, Council and recently joined the
earlier in her career. The founda- to determine the quality of a CBD and unfortunately their cultivation Executive Board of the UC San
tion’s efforts to drive some of the product is inquiring about their standards have been lower than Diego Basement, a campus-wide
most groundbreaking research certificates of analysis (COA). in our country. The key issue is incubator and startup hub that
studies also gave her the opportu- If a company has a COA from a that hemp is a bio-aggregator, runs innovation and entrepreneur-
nity to work with and learn from certified third-party lab that has which means it extracts whatever ship programming. “As Chancellor
incredible doctors, researchers, been licensed to conduct such is in the soil where it is grown. Pradeep Khostla put it during one
and scientists across the nation. analysis, and they publish those If the soil is polluted with heavy of our conversations, entrepre-
“We leverage analytical thinking results, then you should feel more metals, etc., those compounds will neurship is at the very heart and
and a multidisciplinary approach, confident that the product does actually show up in the plant and soul of UCSD - and it shows!
spanning clinical, basic science, ge- The inspiring track record of the
netic, neuroscience and advanced number of companies started
imaging techniques for a compre- across numerous disciplines, their
hensive and systematic exploration success rates over time, number of
of the CBD mechanism of action patents filed (and granted) all add
across a multitude of conditions. up to make our young institution
Interestingly, the multidisciplinary one of the nation’s top entrepre-
data collection is very reminiscent neurial hubs, in the same league
of my tech days, and I am hopeful as leaders like MIT and Stanford.
that the insights gained will lead to Since I view the world through a
more of a personalized, precision very similar entrepreneurial lens,
medicine approach to cannabis the opportunity to further enhance
and CBD treatments.” such impactful programs greatly
Gallup polls and other nation- adds to my sense of purpose.”
al surveys indicate that about 15% Advocacy for entrepreneurship
or more of the population may be education and mentorship has be-
using CBD, which translates to come a key part of Pelin’s mission.
millions of users in America. As of Even prior to her involvement
late, CBD appears to be popping with UCSD, she had been serving
up in many consumer products, as an Entrepreneur-in Residence
from skin products and tinctures indeed contain the stated amounts ultimately in the CBD product. and a guest lecturer for her alma
to lipstick. So, I was happy to hear of CBD and other cannabinoids, This is clearly something we want mater Cornell for nearly ten years.
that Pelin’s nonprofit, Wholistic and no other harmful compounds. to avoid. So, it is critical to know “I am a sincere believer that the
Research and Education Founda- Also, look at the date stamp on the what kind of soil the hemp used in creativity, passion and optimism
tion, is also very much focused on COA to ensure it is relatively cur- your CBD product grows in.” of an entrepreneur is what fuels
demystifying CBD and separat- rent. CBD manufacturers should About a year ago, Pelin was innovation and meaningful prog-
ing fact from fiction with their be conducting what’s called batch asked to join the board of trustees ress. I love connecting with young
evidence-based education and testing, so each time they produce of the UC San Diego Foundation, entrepreneurs, hearing about their
advocacy efforts. “There are clearly a new batch of product, they a nonprofit corporation dedicated vision and openly sharing my own
major gaps in research around should have them tested again.” to maintaining and enhancing the experiences with the hope of mak-
both the safety and efficacy of One of the interesting things I margin of excellence at UCSD. ing it just a little bit easier for them
these products as well as a lack learned during my time with Pelin Pelin says she was thrilled to to achieve their own dreams. I also
of understanding on how they was that the quality and efficacy bring her experiences from her believe in giving back. I know I’ve
work. We still need more data on of CBD is very much based on entrepreneurial career as well as been fortunate. I mean, my college
dose, frequency, timing of use and the quality of the hemp that it is her more recent foray into the scholarships were a precious gift
delivery methods most associ- derived from. “Hemp was already nonprofit world to an institution without which I could not have
ated with therapeutic benefit for being cultivated by Native Amer- that is obviously making great come from Istanbul to study at one
different conditions. Another issue icans well before the pioneers strides in positively impacting not of the best schools in the world.
is the lack of industry regulation arrived. And it became one of the just San Diego, but all of Califor- And I had incredible mentors
and oversight for CBD products, first crops to be adopted by the nia. “My involvement with UCSD throughout my career who be-
which has led to systemic quality early settlers in the 17th century as initially started with the first-of-its lieved and invested in me. So, it’s
control issues. Recent independent it could be grown for food, oil and kind ‘CBD Efficacy for Autism’ now my turn to give freely to drive
testing has even highlighted some fiber. Things changed when hemp study we funded at UCSD’s Center impact, serve as a role model and
CBD products do not actually became illegal in 1970, when the for Medicinal Cannabis Research. try to help others in unexpected
contain any CBD or they may be U.S. government passed the Con- UCSD is broadly regarded as ways. Mahatma Gandhi famously
contaminated with pesticides and trolled Substances Act to regulate one of the best research univer- said, ‘Be the change you want to
heavy metals. Basically, you cannot all cannabis, including industrial sities nationwide. Its culture of see in the world’; at the end of the
always believe what you read on hemp. Due to the recent explosion excellence and innovation, as well day, I try to live true to those very
the label, and the prevalence of of hemp-derived CBD products as the researchers’ collaborative powerful words.”
such mislabeling, along with the and its great many other indus- spirit, have truly blown me away. I
lack of sufficient efficacy research, trial uses, hemp cultivation was was genuinely honored when they For more information contact:
creates a real public health issue.” legalized again with the 2018 Farm asked me to become a Trustee. www.wholistic.org
After hearing these scary facts, Bill. The new law defines hemp as Being part of the amazing UCSD pelin@wholistic.org
I had to ask Pelin what our readers cannabis strains containing less community is one of the most
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