Help Samantha finish school!

Hi! Samantha here! First off, I want to thank you for your time and energy. I'm so excited to share updates on my path towards receiving my Certificate of Professional Learning in the Science of Cannabis from McMaster University. I began this program in September 2022 and have completed the courses "Fundamentals of Cannabis," "Therapeutics of Cannabis," and am set to complete the last course, "Risks and Harms" this Summer. I'm asking for help to complete this journey so many of you have been on with me as I approach my last semester.

About me:

I am a Queer Afro-Latina born and raised on Munsee Lenape and Wappinger land (aka The Bronx, NYC) who plays many roles, including Yoga teacher, writer, speaker, storyteller, musician, and Cannabis educator and advocate. I'm also a New York State Medical Marijuana patient. I have my Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Music and have been studying, practicing, and teaching various mind-body-spirit modalities for over a decade. My work is centered around sharing the wisdom of holistic wellness practices and destigmatizing and normalizing Cannabis use through conversation and education. I seek to educate, elevate, and empower people by sharing the tools of Yoga, plant medicine, self-inquiry, storytelling, and the musical arts for optimal mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

I never thought I'd be going back to school to study Cannabis or that I would have experienced the amazing opportunities I've experienced so far in this industry such as speaking on panels for the National Cannabis Festival in Washington, D.C., writing for publications such as Thrillist Cannabis, being featured in Miss Grass' Pride 2022 campaign, and most recently, being featured in Honeysuckle Magazine Vol. 18, to name a few of the things that have come into alignment.

One of my interests in completing this program is integrating Cannabis and my holistic health and wellness work and equipping myself with more knowledge as a writer to contribute scientific and research-based information to some of my dream publications (like Leafly and High Times Magazine). I'm also interested in consulting opportunities to share this education and teach others about this plant and intentional consumption from a more accredited place. I've been self-studying for years as a Cannabis consumer and patient, educating myself with books and free classes taught by experts in the field on a range of topics from Cannabis science to social justice to advocacy to content creation. Still, I know that having this Certificate of Professional Learning can put me in a better position with more expertise in this industry, especially as a Queer disabled Afro-Latina. According to a 2022 report on LGBTQIA+ Representation in Cannabis by Vangst, "The cannabis industry wrestles more publicly than most with its lack of diversity, especially at the ownership level." BIPOC, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ are historically underrepresented and under-resourced. It's especially jarring in this industry, considering that QTPOC are the foundation in the fight against the war on drugs. LGBTQ+ rights and Cannabis rights are not separate, as QTPOC fought for folks' right to consume Cannabis without being penalized long before legalization efforts throughout the USA. During the AIDS crisis, QTPOC cultivated and shared this plant to improve patients' quality of life and end-of-life care. As someone living in the birthplace of the Stonewall Riots and PRIDE, I fully recognize that the Queer and Trans community planted the seeds for Cannabis to be legalized in NY decades later and for me to be able to pursue this dream now.

I also know firsthand how beneficial Cannabis can be for enhancing life and supporting mental and physical health as I battle with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, CPTSD, OCD, ADHD, Autism, and chronic pain issues. This plant saved and changed my life when I needed it most and has opened many doors for me. I know in my soul that completing this program will positively impact my life and career and help me make way for other QPOC because this truly is more than just about me. There's a lot of talk about equity in the Cannabis industry and there are different ways to foster equity, such as helping low-income, underrepresented people like myself go back to school so that we, too, can be the teachers, scientists, cultivators, storytellers, movers and shakers in this space. I'm offering you the opportunity to help me make dreams come true, invest in equity and inclusion, and invest in a more sustainable future and representative industry.

It feels EXTREMELY vulnerable for me to ask for financial support. Like so many people, I would not be asking if I did not need the help. I greatly appreciate and thank you in advance for any support you can give, whether financially or by sharing and circulating this throughout your community.

Current cost breakdown:

Course 1: COMPLETED

Course 2: COMPLETED

Course 3: $646.96 needed

Thank you so much for considering! I truly am humbled to be able to share this with my community, and I gratefully, graciously, and lovingly accept any help.