Mainstream Momma 

By: Jamie Solis
 

Given the nickname of “The Martha Stewart of Marijuana,” Cheryl Shuman is an extremely successful business woman who is becoming more and more well-known in the cannabis industry every day. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2006, this mother of two turned to MMJ after she ran out of hope. Using cannabis not only improved her quality of life, Cheryl believes it may have also led to her recovery.

This experience sparked Cheryl’s realization that the prohibition of this plant is a lot more dangerous than allowing its proper regulation. She has made it her goal to aid in its legalization stating, “I want to change the world, and I want to see cannabis and hemp legalized by 2016.”

With an impressive background in lifestyle, entertainment and consumer marketing, Cheryl is on the path to changing the image of the cannabis world. Appointed as the Executive Director for Beverly Hills NORML, and as the founder of The Beverly Hills Cannabis Club, she is opening doors to the mainstream media in print, news, radio and television that have otherwise been closed to even the biggest players in the cannabis industry. She is spreading the good word about medical cannabis through concise television interviews and by securing cannabis product placement with Marlon Wayans Company’s entire portfolio of film and TV projects, as well as shows like Wilfred, The New Ricki Lake Show and more.  
Equipped with knowledge that’s changing the minds of the most skeptical and uninformed, Cheryl is bringing awareness to the extreme healing properties of non-psychoactive, highly concentrated cannabidiol (CBD) products. When she first mentioned that she used CBDs on the Katie Couric’s daytime talk show Katie, the vast audience was absolutely shocked that there is a healing form of cannabis that doesn’t get the patient high. From there, Cheryl shared her groundbreaking information with The View, 20/20 and more—the information was brand-new in mainstream society. Not only did she reach over 100 million viewers in one day of spreading this awareness, the ratings for ABC on the day she appeared were up by 870 percent—proving that these life-saving facts are well received by the masses.

One of Cheryl’s idols is Pauline Sabin, the woman who is recognized as a leader in overturning alcohol prohibition after forming the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform. Cheryl resembles a modern day Pauline Sabin for the cannabis and industrial hemp industry, as she strategically involves women and mothers who are MMJ patients in her revolutionary process. She knows that by bringing upon positive change in the minds of the masses is by first changing the minds of these two specific groups. Her perseverance couldn’t have better timing, she explained how our industry is at a tipping point right now, “The latest study just came out that we’re at an overall wide stream acceptance of 58 percent overall for full legalization.”

Not only will realizing her goal help improve the quality of life of patients through healing, legalizing and regulating cannabis will also heal our desperate economy. By building legitimacy and recognition in every American household, Cheryl Shuman is the brave woman who is blazing a trail towards legalization and international acceptance of cannabis.

Great Allies

Considering these great happenings, Cheryl’s formed an alliance with Medical Marijuana Inc. and HempMedsPX in hopes of taking over the CBD market. HempMedsPX is the producer of oil that was recognized by the High Times Cannabis Cup for having the highest CBD concentration ever tested, 98.3 percent. Cheryl and Medical Marijuana Inc.’s goal is to increase the quality of life for medical cannabis patients everywhere, and CBD is exactly how they’re going to be successful. Cheryl’s optimism towards this matter is captivating, “Imagine never having to hear another story about a child being sick and dying because of a lack of CBD, we can fix all that.”

Originally Published by Culture Magazine on December 5, 2013: http://ireadculture.com/article-3138-mainstream-momma.html

Brave and Flourishing

Brave and Flourishing

Cannabis Aids in the Battle Against Young Mykayla’s Struggle to Live

By: Jamie Solis

Memories of childhood should be of playing games in the neighborhood and living an overall carefree life. However, when young Mykayla from Pendleton, Oregon was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on July 14, 2012, doctors were sure that her little life would face more hardships than happy moments. Thankfully, her parents Erin Purchase and Brandon Krenzler have turned to medical cannabis to ensure Mykayla enjoys a healthy and lighthearted life.

After the discovery that Mykayla had this extremely rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, it was apparent that an equally aggressive medical treatment of chemotherapy and steroid induction therapy would be necessary. Mykayla immediately faced horrible side effects after starting her regimen, which included deep tissue and muscle pain, intense nausea, alopecia, immune deficiency, lack of appetite, peripheral neuropathy, depression and more. Mykayla’s parents did not hesitate in obtaining her recommendation to use medical cannabis, which resulted in alleviating virtually all of Mykayla’s symptoms. This success has given them the upmost confidence in their decision; “We made the choice to use cannabis with our daughter, and we feel it has been the best choice in her treatment that has ever been made,” Krenzler said.

Erin and Brandon are very upfront and honest about the multitude of cannabis forms that their now eight-year-old daughter ingests on a daily basis. They juice cannabis flowers and leaves off plants from their garden, which yields an abundance of high cannabidiol (CBD) juice. Every day she uses full extract cannabis oil and liberal amounts of topical creams for pain relief and anti-inflammation. Mykayla enjoys an array of sweet edibles—what child wouldn’t like a cereal treat or brownie? Her parents also prepare her meals using cannabis infused olive oil, butter or honey.

With psychoactive and non-psychoactive forms of cannabis dominating the market, there is stronger opposition against providing children with psychoactive forms of cannabis. However, considering the fact that cannabis is being utilized by children who have been recommended the plant by their physician for medicinal purposes, the psychoactive properties should be embraced. The only alternatives children have to cannabis are pharmaceutical drugs that also bear psychoactive properties. These drugs, such as oxycontin, hydrocodone, morphine, etc. are also known for their harmful and negative side effects, as well as having a risk of overdose. While some forms of medical cannabis have psychoactive properties, they are without life-threatening side effects.

Brandon and Erin encourage parents to trust their instincts in treating their sick children, and to be unafraid in advocating for what is right to treat their child’s ailments. “We recommend to all parents with children suffering from debilitating conditions that they should consider cannabis as a treatment option, and we feel that it should be offered as a first line treatment for many conditions that children suffer today. We proactively advocate for the parents’ right to choose cannabis as a medicine for their child,” Krenzler said. After all, it is a common notion that mother knows best—maybe it’s time to listen.
To learn more about Brave Mykayla visit her website: www.bravemykayla.com or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bravemykayla.

THC vs. CBD

The full extract cannabis oil Mykayla uses is high in THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis. Brandon explains why they are confident in giving their daughter this specific form of cannabis, “We are unafraid of the psycho-activity inherent in the cannabis plant, because we believe that a positive state of mind is essential during cancer treatments. The psychoactive properties deliver a ‘high’ that is very euphoric. This euphoria creates a sense of general well-being that promotes an overall positive state of mind.” This allows Mykayla to lead a happier life, and because she has built up a tolerance to the THC, it does not debilitate her, but rather compliments her lifestyle as a healthy and active child.

Originally Published by Culture Magazine on Jan. 2, 2014: http://ireadculture.com/article-3273-brave-and-flourishing.html