Can medical cannabis be the key to treating chronic ailments and mental health disorders? Join us for an illuminating conversation with LaKeysha Moton, my old friend from UNC Charlotte, as she shares her extraordinary journey from political science and economics to becoming an expert in medical cannabis science. We'll uncover the pivotal moments in her career, including her impactful work in federal and state government, and how policies affect marginalized communities. Our 24-year friendship comes full circle as we reminisce about our first meeting and the lasting bonds we've forged through shared purpose and fun.
In this episode, LaKeysha shatters common misconceptions about medical cannabis and lays out the scientific evidence behind its many benefits. Discover how cannabis can offer neuroprotective properties for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, alleviate cancer-related symptoms, and manage mental health issues such as epilepsy, anxiety, and PTSD. We also discuss its effectiveness in chronic pain relief, sleep disorders, and the growing popularity of CBD. LaKeysha provides valuable insights into sourcing high-quality CBD from trusted providers, ensuring you make informed choices for your health. Tune in for an episode rich with knowledge and personal reflections, offering both educational and heartfelt moments.
Can medical cannabis be the key to treating chronic ailments and mental health disorders? Join us for an illuminating conversation with LaKeysha Moton, my old friend from UNC Charlotte, as she shares her extraordinary journey from political science and economics to becoming an expert in medical cannabis science. We'll uncover the pivotal moments in her career, including her impactful work in federal and state government, and how policies affect marginalized communities. Our 24-year friendship comes full circle as we reminisce about our first meeting and the lasting bonds we've forged through shared purpose and fun.
In this episode, LaKeysha shatters common misconceptions about medical cannabis and lays out the scientific evidence behind its many benefits. Discover how cannabis can offer neuroprotective properties for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, alleviate cancer-related symptoms, and manage mental health issues such as epilepsy, anxiety, and PTSD. We also discuss its effectiveness in chronic pain relief, sleep disorders, and the growing popularity of CBD. LaKeysha provides valuable insights into sourcing high-quality CBD from trusted providers, ensuring you make informed choices for your health. Tune in for an episode rich with knowledge and personal reflections, offering both educational and heartfelt moments.
Be sure to visit BizRadio.US to discover hundreds more engaging conversations, local events and more.
Veronica:
Welcome to the Veronica Edwards show where we have fun financial conversations that everyone listening can apply to their personal and professional life. I'm your host, veronica Edwards, always excited to be back here. Season three on bizradious. After this show V Team we only have two more shows airing before the end of season three and we are less than 20 downloads away from 4,000 downloads. So I have a feeling no pressure that today's show is going to get us over the hump. So I'm super excited. Today's guest is an old friend of mine from UNC Charlotte that I met back in the year 2000. Seems so long ago, and during that time this guest earned degrees in political science and economics with a concentration in international and comparative studies. This guest's work experience is in both federal and state government and has afforded her skills in policy formulation, implementation and regulatory compliance. Currently this guest is enrolled in the Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Master's Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. My friend's smart, my friend's smart. So without further ado I'd like to introduce today's guest, my friend Lakeisha Moten.
LaKeysha :
Welcome Key. Oh, thank you so much V. Thank you for having me inviting me to your podcast today. I'm so excited to be here.
Veronica:
Yes, so, guys, it's, I think, keisha your first time ever being on a podcast.
LaKeysha :
Yes, yes, and I had to tell you you're the only one I would do this with.
Veronica:
I feel special. I was dragging Keisha on. I was like I'm gentle, I don't do anything crazy. So we always start the show, keisha, with having the guests tell us about you, where you're from and your story that led you to have studies in medical cannabis and potentially lead to entrepreneurship in that field.
LaKeysha :
Absolutely so let's see about me. I am originally from Alabama. My mom is a military veteran, so her service allowed me to travel and experience different cultures from a very young age and this exposure really sparked my interest in global interests and that led me to pursue the degrees in political science and economics. And, like you said so eloquently in my introduction, you know my professional journey through federal and state civil service.
LaKeysha :
I developed these skills with policy and implementation of policy and then onto regulatory compliance. So my experiences, especially in observing impacts of policy on marginalized communities, that fueled my energy and my interests in both the ethical and equitable development of these emerging sectors, especially here in the US. Wow, so smart. I don't even know what to say after that.
Veronica:
No, that sounds amazing. I forget a lot of times, keisha, that you're from originally Alabama because, as we discussed, me and Keisha met 24 years ago at UNC Charlotte and it was herself and quite a few others that were from Fayetteville, north Carolina, aka Fayette-Nam. So I have to ask you, keisha I asked all my friends that have been on, but you're my first friend from UNC Charlotte. A lot of my friends have been on, known me from. You know, back in South Carolina I'm not even gonna say the town name Keisha always teases me Lads in South Carolina, I ain't ashamed of it, but I would love, keisha, for you to let the listeners know. When we first met 24 years ago, what was your first impression of me, friend? Like, what was the description? Like, what did you see? What were you thinking?
LaKeysha :
Let's see, this was first official day Move in parents there we're all excited, setting up rooms and everything about you. That day has been who you've been throughout these years. I saw someone that was assertive and assured in everything in everything. So you had befriended the friend from Fayetteville that came with us to UNC Charlotte but you guys had arranged the swapping out of rooms and so for me to see how you kind of really convinced this other person that she wanted to switch rooms we were on the same floor. It was the most amazing thing to me because even in me being nervous and being in a new environment, I saw a friend in you. It was that assertiveness and assuredness. And then it was like the third week we were in school, getting adjusted to our schedules and you had this tenacity that we were there for a reason but we could also have fun.
Veronica:
Oh yeah.
LaKeysha :
And so I saw you. You were always this, this worker out of things. You know, those talents you connected us with bringing in. We could swap doing hair or some study time hair or some study time. They're good at this, and so, even in that, you always motivated me to remember why we're here and we have what it takes to be here. We deserve to be here and through the course of our friendship, that's all I've gotten from you, and it's just beautiful to watch unfold. I can't believe it's been 24 years.
Veronica:
I know. And Keisha, when I met you I was very intimidated. I was like, if anybody knows Keisha, Keisha got them hands honey, I was like you do.
LaKeysha :
You know you just don't step up to Keisha. You know I don't like people to be mistreated. That's all but V, it was the way. You never mistreated anyone. You can convince these people that, yeah, this is what you want to do.
Veronica:
Yeah, and I think I get that from my mom and dad who have the gift of gab and I learned I learned when I was younger. I was kind of witty, so I'm skinny, I'm kind of nerdy. I was like I just would make people laugh and people would be my friend or who just got her master's. I'm very proud of her. And that was the roommate. You know. We were like okay, I was like I got to get Michal to be my roommate I'm not failing this roommate and then Michal kind of introduced me to you and Mary and a lot of the other Fayetteville friends and I always remember Keisha looked at Michal and was like she's good and Michal, I was nervous on Michal. I was like she's good and I was nervous. I was like yeah, she's straight. And then ever since then me and Keisha was cool. I was like thank you, meachal. Meachal said I was cool. So that set you off where you was like I'm a fool.
LaKeysha :
You assertively placed yourself like no, I'm going to be friends with you, meachal, you will see that. So of course I had to look at Meach. All right, sure, and it was just that. Has been beautiful, though, yes yes, I just love it.
Veronica:
So let's talk about this amazing program um a master's degree, keisha, in medical medical cannabis science and therapeutics. The therapeutics part intrigues me some, so this is a new degree. I would love for you to educate the listeners on how long is this program? Is it virtual? You mentioned you work full time. How did you find out about the program, the jobs you can get, all that fun stuff, because this is an area that is very profitable and, before we know it, a lot more. The medical cannabis is legal in some states, but I have a feeling cannabis is just going to be. We're in our lifetime we're going to see it get legalized in all states. So tell us about this program.
LaKeysha :
Oh, yes, absolutely About the program. So the MS in medical cannabis science and therapeutics, as you said, with the University of Maryland in their school of pharmacy, and it's the first graduate program in the country that's dedicated solely to the study of medical cannabis and the program addresses areas and basic science of the plant itself, the clinical use of the cannabis plant, the adverse effects, public health concerns around cannabis, and we also address the federal and state laws here in the US and those policies that surround cannabis. So and my classmates? Let's see my classmates. They come from diverse backgrounds. I know we have people in medicine, law, public health, they're in business, political science, even communications, and so my class, you know, I feel like that, that alone, with a different background, it really the program is just an enriching learning experience because of the wide range of range of perspectives.
Veronica:
Wow, go ahead, keisha. I'm sorry.
LaKeysha :
Yeah. So how long the program the program is it takes typically two years to complete is designed as a hybrid, but it's mostly virtual. It does have in-person symposium requirements and that's where we get formulating for the state and different auxiliary services, and so the in-person requirements are extremely fun. Like I said, it is hybrid and it's primary on and it really fits, you know, the professional lifestyle. So if you work, I believe that online aspect really really gives you that, that ability to work and focus.
Veronica:
Oh, I didn't realize, keisha, that this is the first of its kind, this program In the country. So how did you find out about it, because you've been in the program? Now has it been a year yet?
LaKeysha :
Coming up on a year. August will be my first year. One year completed, yes, so. So in Maryland, in 2017, the state began the regulation and sale of medical cannabis and in 2019, the university announced this program. So it was a very big deal here in the DC, Maryland, virginia area, you know, with such an accredited school offering this, this in in advanced studies in such a taboo subject. So since that time, you know, the field of medical cannabis has just continued and it continues to grow. As a career professional myself, engaged in regulatory oversight and ethical research, specifically safeguarding the rights and welfare, well-being of research subjects, I wanted to equip myself with the knowledge and skills to ensure that research on cannabis can expand and that social equity is maintained within the research of cannabis.
LaKeysha :
That's really crucial for me. So through my years and ongoing research and advocacy and health policy, I just I continued to learn how the program, it blended policy, science and this therapeutic content of cannabis. So that aligns perfectly for me with my career goals and personal interests. Yeah, so me enrolling in this medical cannabis science and therapeutics program it's really a dream come true. You know. It also underscores my commitment to understanding this complex relationship between legislation and medical practice.
Veronica:
Keisha, you sound so smart man. I could have you talking about this all day, you know. I think I'm glad that I have you talking about this on the show because I think a lot of times the misconception is oh, it's just a bunch of people just smoking, getting high. You know chink and chunk type of thing. Anybody listening to this knows like you're a very intelligent young lady. You are all about policy and political science and lawmaking and the medicinal side of it. It's not just to have fun and kick back. I love that you have been studying this, since you know like you know the laws, like you know when this started out in 2019 and all the things. So I'm so excited for you, because anybody that has known Keisha as long as I have this is exactly right up your alley, right? I'm so excited for you because anybody that has known Keisha as long as I have this is exactly right up your alley.
LaKeysha :
Right, I'm so excited, it's like that's what I wanted. You know, the older we got, the what do I really want to do? I know what I like, I know what I'm good at, I know you know the way we make money and make a living. But you, you get to a point in and it's very real that my purpose matters to me, what I'm supposed to be doing. And so you know, having a background and coming from Alabama with grandparents and great aunts and just gardening and the medicinal uses of plants, you know that just fostered this lifelong respect and fascination with botany and natural remedies and, of course, my way now, with me being in research and medical clinical research, it, it, it's cosmic of sorts, you know, and I'm really excited and I appreciate your excitement with me because you know I was talking to you about.
Veronica:
You're like, of course, go go, yes, and anytime I see anything in the news, I'm sending it to keisha like, okay, cherokee, they just have legalized it. You know, medicinally, how does that work? It's it's a part of a state, not as you know, and keisha always sends me great information and that piece with you saying you know, being an amazing gardener, keisha's been growing amazing plants for years. You go to her house, it's all kind of amazing produce out in her yard. So to me, just like we had a show in recent with producer of the show, erin Matan, where we talked about a lot of times with guns, people get so nervous, but it's a tool. And it's the same thing with cannabis it's a flower that comes from the ground, natural plant, exactly so, with that being said, keisha, I would love because on the show we always talk about different tips and jewels for the listeners and with your expertise in medical cannabis, I would love for you to provide, like your top five medicinal benefits of medical cannabis that folks really don't realize.
LaKeysha :
This is good.
Veronica:
This is good.
LaKeysha :
So top five? Okay, yeah, sure. So my first one, I'd say, is the neuroprotective properties that medical cannabis offers. It shows potential in slowing the progression of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and preliminary research studies suggest that cannabis helps in managing agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's patients. Second interesting top benefit for me would be its cancer related symptom benefits. Research studies show that cannabis helps alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and it stimulates the appetite in cancer patients, so that's a huge benefit. Another one would be neurological and mental health disorders. Cannabis offers relief in multiple sclerosis excuse me sorry and has been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of seizures from conditions like epilepsy, and it does so by reducing the frequency and intensity.
LaKeysha :
Cannabis has been increasingly used in mental health to manage the symptoms of like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. It provides relief where other medications can fail. Another one would be, say, chronic pain and anti-inflammatory benefits. Cannabis is widely known for its efficacy in pain relief, particularly in chronic conditions, and let's see.
Veronica:
No, those are good ones, keisha. I mean the cancer-related with the appetite, the mental health, the PTSD, the chronic pain.
LaKeysha :
And the fifth would be sleep disorders. So I'll give you five. It's actually a good addition to sleep disorders, yep, managing insomnia and sleep disturbances is very efficient.
Veronica:
Wow, and it's something about in recent just like vitamins, how everything is kind of moving towards gummies. People are popping gummies left and right and I'll be like what you got and they're like it's an edible. Now, now Keisha in North Carolina, where I'm at, even medical cannabis isn't legal, but what's huge up here is CBD child and is it true that, like CBD is kind of like the cousin to cannabis, it just doesn't have the I guess I don't know the proper science term the things in it to make you high.
LaKeysha :
Okay, so the two common cannabinoids on the cannabis plant would be CBD and THC. So THC is what has the cycle, the euphoria effects, the high THC, and CBD does not. It does not offer that. Cbd focuses or communicates mostly to your CB2 receptors and that's going to be your immune system.
LaKeysha :
That's where the chronic pain and anti-inflamminflammatory CBD is, is, I would say, the sister to TAC and and, like your vitamins, cbd can be an overall, you know, vitamin to your endocannabinoid system that communicates to your CB2 receptors whatever that means, but yeah so I mean big and cbd is good if if it's cbd, you know you want to get your cbd from a trusted source where you can see your lab readings and ensure that you are just getting that plant in its entirety, in its natural state and um if it's available on your market, and that became available, you know, with the farm bill.
Veronica:
So it was that Keisha, because I feel like in the last 10 years CBD just blown up. I don't ever remember hearing about it prior to like 2024.
LaKeysha :
Yes, 2018. But you know when, when COVID hit in avenues for health, I think we became very health conscious. It was, it was scary. We didn't really know if we had a compromised immune systems or not. The majority of us, and so, with the studies that began coming out at that time, was saying, hey, it isn't this all bad drug that was deemed to have no medical value. You know, these studies start showing that it does have medical value and our systems and these systems are responding and responding positively. And so CBD came out far, far greater than THC in those abilities to heal and manage the symptoms of pain, neuropathy, pain.
Veronica:
But I think you're right, Keisha. It helped during COVID and with so many people embracing CBD Because, like I said, I have like a 60, 70 year old uncle or aunt and I'm like what's your bad? And they're like CBD, and so it's just kind of made it to where it's a little bit more approachable, I think, on the THC side. So I love hearing that there's a master's degree program. They're putting science to it.
LaKeysha :
Absolutely, absolutely, and you're right, cbd is more commonly accepted, opposed to her sister THC, and that is something where you know I am I'm looking to advocate strongly for, and that is further research in both THC and CBD.
Veronica:
Wow, well, keisha, already we're to the end of the show. Friend, I told you you did, it would be, I would be gentle, it'd be easy. I would love to have you back to talk about um THC with children, because I always remember watching, like a CNN special, with our boy, sanjay Gupta yes and these children have epilepsy and all these things it is real, I have seen it, it is yes, so I would love to talk about that. I would like to talk about edibles versus smoking it. You know all the things you know all the things.
Veronica:
You know just asking for a. You know just asking for a friend. You know I got glaucoma and other things in my family.
LaKeysha :
So you know Absolutely, and the groundwork is still growing and breaking through. You know there could be this possible rescheduling. So if you'd have me, I'd love to come back and we can discuss all the things.
Veronica:
Absolutely so. Again, keisha, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to educate us all about medical cannabis and hopefully someone listening will take time to have if they maybe thought one way about it. Maybe they have a different. You know perception now and that's all we want to do. I know I keep hearing you say I just want to advocate. I want to advocate, I want to get the word out and anything that I can do to support you with that, because you're living your dream and you're following your passion and we talk about that a lot on the show, about passion and purpose, and I think you know what your passion is. You know what having me.
Veronica:
Absolutely, and I want to thank all the listeners for tuning in to bizradious for the Veronica Edwards show on Wednesdays across all platforms and if you missed the live airing, you can listen to all prior shows at veronicaedwardsbuzzsproutcom.
