Wellness Pavilion

Cannabis and wellness.

Cannabis has many medicinal benefits. From treating nausea and insomnia to chronic pain and PTSD, we’re only just scratching the surface of the plant’s healing potential.

Visit the Wellness Pavilion at the National Cannabis Festival to meet and learn from medical professionals, dispensary owners, holistic medicine practitioners, yoga instructors and more. Bring your yoga mat, towel or whatever you need to get comfortable and get well.

2024 schedule

Friday, April 19

6:00pm

Students for Sensible Drug Policy Training: How to Prevent Overdose

Attend this overdose prevention and responder training led by the Board Chairperson of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Jeanne Porges. Learn what an opioid overdose is and why it's relevant; what harm reduction is and why it is important; the pharmacology behind Narcan; how to recognize and overdose and respond using Narcan; and, how to use fentanyl test strips. In addition, the training will also discuss drug policies that impact Narcan administration like good samaritan laws and RAVE act.

  • Jeanne Porges, Board Chairperson of Students for Sensible Drug Policy

  • Karley Snyder, Board Vice-Chair of Students for Sensible Drug Policy

  • Gina Vensel, Appointed Board Member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy

  • Axel Bilbao, Appointed Board Member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy


6:45pm

How to Unveil the Sensual Self: Exploring Cannabis and the Sacral Chakra         

This discussion featuring celebrity wellness gurus Ciera Ross and Reba C. Thomas explores the connection between cannabis use, sensuality, and our embodied experience. Explore how cannabis interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, potentially influencing your perception of pleasure and connection. The discussion will focus on the sacral chakra, a vital energy center believed to be associated with sensuality and creativity. By examining the potential effects of cannabis on this chakra, we can gain a deeper understanding of how it shapes our sensuality and relationship with our bodies. 

  • Cierra Ross, Owner, Balance Thy Chakra

  • Reba Corrine Thomas, CEO, Founder, Sexpert Consultants

7:30pm

Overcoming a Cannabis Conviction and Fighting For Others Freedom

There are many collateral consequences that create barriers for individuals reentering their communities after being incarcerated for a cannabis conviction. This candid conversation with M-1 of the legendary hip hop duo dead prez and Last Prisoner Project's Kyle Page will cover his inspirational story of rising above having to serve over 8 years in prison for a nonviolent cannabis offense, the impacts a cannabis conviction can have, and actionable steps for cannabis advocates to make their voices heard.

  • M-1, dead prez, Activist

  • Kyle Page, Social Justice Activist, Dispensary Manager, Experienced Cultivator

Saturday, April 20

12:45pm

Midday Yoga with Ebony 

Join us for a soothing yoga experience meant to ground and relax you! This is a gentle flow, where we'll blend breath work and easy poses, helping you connect mind and body. Discover the incredible synergy between yoga and cannabis, and learn about the wellness benefits that await. Embrace relaxation and join our inclusive community for a mindful journey.  Let's smoke and flow together.

  • Ebony Wheeler, CEO/Founder, Brown Eyed Girl Yoga

1:15pm 

Motherhood, Cannabis, and Breaking the Stigma

From morning sickness and migraines to general relaxation, cannabis has been used as medicine and for relaxation by mothers across cultures for centuries. Prohibition in Western culture came with many stigmas about cannabis that exist to this day. How do mothers who medicate with cannabis handle criticism? Does cannabis help or hurt parenting? How do you talk to your kids about cannabis?

  • Sarah Kiah Morton, CEO & Co-Founder of Lockgreen

  • Kia Pierce, Social and Community Advocate

  • LaWann Stribling, CEO & Founder Of Cann’A Woman Heal, Entrepreneur

  • Supreet Sohi, Skin Therapist & Podcast Host, Founder of Sherni Life


2:00pm

Bless the Blunt: Insights on Cannabis Assisted Therapy and Mindful Smoking

Interested in decolonizing the wellness space? Let’s chat about how cannabis can be used as revolutionary mental health and substance use treatment. As a clinical social work and addiction specialist intern with visions to pursue cannabis-assisted therapy professionally, our speaker will be discussing cannabis therapy as harm reduction and giving suggestions for therapeutic cannabis use.

  • Amaya Wallace, Social Work Student and Intern, UNC Chapel Hill 


2:30pm 

The Urgency of Now: Impact Health Outcomes with Medical Cannabis

As we make the transition from prohibition to a safe and legal cannabis industry, consumers are becoming more aware of the medicinal benefits of the plant, and substitute for opioids and other prescription drugs. Most states have medical cannabis programs designed to allow patients access to medical cannabis, but the stigma from the war on drugs remains. In this session, we'll explore the social determinants of health in black communities and how cannabis medicine is changing the landscape for communities and healthcare providers.

  • Olga Hall, Family Nurse Practitioner (RN, BSN, FNP-BC), Medical Director and Co-owner, Grassroots Healing

  • Gaetano Ladieri, CEO, THCBD Project; Executive Advisor, Future Entheogenic Medicines; NJ State Co-Director, Minorities For Medical Marijuana

  • Nichelle Santos, Moderator, Founder, CEO CannaCoverage Insurance,  NJ State Co-Director, Minorities for Medical Marijuana; Board 

  • Deondra Asike, MD, veteran of the US Air Force, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician. Founder of ReLEAF

  • Jeff Booker, COO, CannaCoverage Insurance Services


3:30pm 

Cannabis Nurses and Healthcare Professionals in an Adult Use World: How to Keep the Focus on Medicine in Cannabis

Medical professionals are facing new challenges and opportunities as cannabis becomes more mainstream. Join us as we sit down with healthcare practitioners working with patients in a variety of environments to talk about how cannabis policy and public perception is changing healthcare.

  • Kevnesha Boyd, Trauma Therapist, Cannabis Consultant, Yoga Teacher, and Activist

  • Jamila Hogan, Owner, Cannagetaway

  • Jade Sancho-Duser, LMT, CEO of MaryJade Therapeutics     

  • Kebra Smith-Bolden, RN/CEO of NoirEnVerte

  • Uzma Zakir RPh, Founder of bloomHigher 

4:00pm

How to ELEVATE Your Sleep: Methods with Tierra & Tone

Tierra aka “Yogi TB” and Tone will discuss organic methods to ELEVATE your level of sleep. On average, one out of every four people struggle with getting the necessary amount of sleep, or struggle with a sleeping disorder of some sort. Listen in as our panelists share healthy sleep practices like infusing yoga, meditation and local hemp honey into everyday life. Achieve the proper amount of sleep and ELEVATE both mentally and physically!

Panelists:  

  • Tierra Briscoe aka “Yogi TB”

  • Tone Davis, Natural Elevation LLC & ELEVATED Honey Co


4:30pm  

Alternative Therapies, Cannabis and Supporting Our Nation’s Veterans

Join the Balanced Veterans Network (BVN), medical experts and industry leaders in the cannabis medicine space, for an educational conversation on the use, market and overall benefits of cannabis as a therapy for our nation’s military veterans and more.

  • Dr. Corey Burchman, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Clinical Anesthesiologist       

  • Sheri Tarr, JD, Chief Cannabis & Life Sciences Advisor, BVN Board Member        

  • CJ Cowgill, BVN Community Manager and Expert Cannabis Cultivator                

  • Moderated by: Eric Goepel, Founder and CEO, Veterans Cannabis Coalition


5:15pm 

Buds + Barbells: Weed and Weightlifting

We’re going to be talking about how to properly handle the munchies while still meeting your goals, using cannabis for recovery, and how to live a healthy lifestyle as a stoner!

Panelists: 

  • Ariana Foote, aka “Indica Wife,” Content Creator

  • Karissa


6:00pm 

Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association presents Tribal Story Hour

Join the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association for a power hour of stories shared by Native American tribal leaders, educators, and cannapreneurs. Each storyteller will take about 10 minutes to share a personal story relating to the history and power of this healing plant from an indigenous perspective, with opportunities for audience Q&A.

Hosted by:

  • Mary Jane Oatman, Executive Director, ICIA

  • Sebi Medina-Tayac, Founder, Red Cedar Farms


7:00pm

Cannabis Health Coaching: Bridging the Gap Between Medicine & Wellness 

This immersive workshop examines the role of health and wellness coaching in the evolving cannabis landscape, emphasizing personalized guidance over general education. Participants will engage in an interactive discussion on how tailored health strategies and informed cannabis use can foster overall well-being, debunk common misconceptions, and highlight practical steps for integrating cannabis into a holistic wellness journey. This hands-on session promises to not only educate but also empower attendees, offering a unique opportunity to learn actionable strategies for enhancing their overall well-being with cannabis under the expert guidance of a National Board Certified Health and Wellness coach.

  • Dr. Jannah Rasul, LHD, MSEd, NBC-HWC, Founder of Herban Holistic Healthcare & Higher Learning Publications

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