Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1403381
38 cannabis patient care | vol. 2 no. 2 cannapatientcare.com feature blossomed at the Cannabis Holistic Institute through the op- tion of a vir tual setting. Aside from the Cannabis Holistic Institute, Hernandez also founded the Humboldt Holistic Foundation, which is a nonprof- it organization that helps expand and create resources for ho- listic projects. The organization has funded scholarships for the Cannabis Holistic Institute from the local community. They were able to open the program up to more people such as healers, mothers, and other individuals in the cannabis sphere, aside from just medical professionals. Last but not least, Hernandez also created and founded Hum- boldt Joint Discussions which was inspired by some of her stu- dents who decided that they wanted to have free conferences in Humboldt County to further educate the community on canna- bis. "These conferences are not just for the physicians or the pos- sible educators. We wanted the whole community to be a part of it. The Humboldt Joint Discussions were interviewing people from the whole spectrum with one question in mind and one end goal in mind: that we are all connected back. It was from seed to sale," she said. "Everybody who was a part of any of those industries were on the platform with the idea that we were going to educate the patient through that discussion while our local public was able to watch completely for free. The whole entire thing is on a donation basis—from the educators, to the space, to the refresh- ments for the audience and to the public itself." Hernandez's educational and community charity work doesn't just stop there. Prior to the pandemic, Hernandez was educating the public all across the country and around the world. "I focused a lot on children education, destigmatiz- ing it for children, and also destigmatizing it for our older el- derly population," she explained. "Helping them softly under- stand, like there are options that you can use this for and it's not the thought of the 1970s where you have to be completely altered in order to get the medicinal properties. Those are the two populations that I generally go out to speak for pro bono in my community specifically." Her students and graduates from the Cannabis Holistic In- stitute also provide great educational platforms around the world to help battle the stigma surrounding cannabis and show its medicinal benefits. Hernandez also shared the unique connection she often has as an educator, especially with elderly audiences. "I think that's what it's all about—it's connecting with people, helping them recognize you're not selling anything. You're not trying to get them to do anything. You're really just there to educate them because you're passionate about it. With that mindset, you can really help anyone come to terms with how cannabis can help them," she said. An Eye to the Future: Closing Thoughts Medical cannabis use and acceptance is on the rise now due to the hard work and dedication from individuals like Hernan- dez, who are taking action to help eliminate the stigma sur- rounding cannabis and highlight its' healing properties. Over time, Hernandez hopes that cultivators can grow cannabis organically, artisanally, and grow small craft cannabis. On the medical side, she hopes that medical professionals will seek more education about cannabis. There needs to be constant empowerment to learn more so that they can take that infor- mation back to their patients. Budtenders and dispensaries also can benefit from further education because they need to be dialed in to the profiles they are providing their custom- ers. Finally, Hernandez hopes that consultants become more involved in their patients care. If they are able to bridge all individuals providing care to a patient, there will be success. "I would love to see a world where we're really growing specif- ic plants for the our ailments in our community. For example, imagine a community garden and the cultivators are growing for that particular population," she said "I know that's a long way off and maybe more for small communities. But as medi- cal professionals, we can encourage that. As consultants, we can encourage diving in and looking at profiles for particular body ailments and disease discomforts." While inspiring others through the Cannabis Holistic Insti- tute and her other platforms, it's certain that Hernandez will also continue to educate the masses on the wonders of the cannabis plant. Reference (1) https://www.drpepperhernandez.com/dr-hernandez.html. You're really just there to educate them because you're passionate about it. With that mindset, you can really help anyone come to terms with how cannabis can help them. – P E P P E R H E R N A N D E Z , N D , P H D