Why I Became a Cannabis Educator & Coach

I wanted to be a Doctor of something ever since Dr. Indiana Jones, but knowing I wouldn't make it as an archaeologist (I don't like being hot or dirty) I had my sights on a PhD in Education. Well, at least that was the plan back in 2009 when I began my Masters program at Columbia University.

If you've read my bio, you know that after graduating with my Masters I spent 13 years working - and living - on a college campus. Think of the hiking 18 year olds get into...yup, my job was to respond to all of that. It wasn't long before I realized the damage they did to themselves (assault, thoughts of hurting themselves, vandalism...every situation involved alcohol and never weed. I slowly became aware of the inherent injustice of this every time I assigned a student a paper and a fine for weed, knowing lives were being ruined for the same thing outside of our University gates. The doctorate dream no longer interested me, not when my soul was stirring me towards what I was meant to do.

Being a cannabis educator is important to me because I do not think it is fair that 1) a healing plant has been kept from all of us for over a century and 2) Black and Brown communities continue to bear the brunt of a failed war on drugs. It frustrates me to have witnessed all of the damage and pain alcohol abuse among 18-22 years can bring, and yet that is more socially acceptable than cannabis.

I believe that at its heart, cannabis is a social justice issue. At least, for me, the social justice aspects are the parts that make me the most excited to work in this space. I believe being pro-cannabis is being anti-racist. While I don't love that my skin color, education and collegiate career undeservedly buy me more credibility with some people as they open their minds to cannabis, it does afford me the opportunity to show up in this space as an ally. I made a deal with myself when I decided to go into cannabis that if I was going to do this, I was going to do everything I could for BIPOC communities and victims of the failed war on drugs.

The goal of Aunt Betty Cann is twofold: first, help people learn about the medicinal value of cannabis and how they can use it in a safe and effective way, and second, to adjust those same hearts and minds towards the fact that we need to do our part to get people out of jail and help those re-entering society after incarceration.

If you like what we're doing, follow our blog and support the groups we reference on our site. Also consider purchasing a training package with ABC or something from one of our affiliate links. ABC donates 10% of all profits made to organizations working to support victims of the war on drugs.

Peace, love, and justice,

Liz D.