Marijuana Mommy Fights Stigma with Medical Knowledge

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]M[/dropcap]om, nurse and cannabis influencer Jessie Gill offers a unique and informative perspective to the cannabis world. Her role as a medical professional and mother makes her uniquely qualified to inform her audience on the medical benefits of cannabis, cannabis and parenting, treating ailments with cannabis, and more. On her site, marijuanamommy.com, Gill offers advice and information on the hottest cannabis products, new advances in cannabis-related science, and everything in between. Gill’s influence is growing, so CULTURE asked her about her humble beginnings and how she discovered cannabis.

How did you get started as a cannabis influencer?

I got started accidentally. In 2014, I was injured in a work accident while working as a hospice nurse. I suffered a cervical spinal injury. After months of physical therapy, a multi-level spinal fusion, and loads of traditional and complementary treatments, I still required opiates and Valium around the clock to relieve spasms and pain.

I was reluctant to try cannabis, I didn’t believe it would work and I was afraid of the stigma. My mom convinced me to give it a go. The day I started medical cannabis, I was able to stop opiates and Valium, and later I tapered off the other pharmaceuticals. I’m not healed, I still face lots of challenges, but cannabis manages my issues far better than anything else I tried.

I knew if I didn’t understand the benefits of cannabis as a nurse then others probably didn’t either. I felt compelled to share my story and started my blog, Marijuana Mommy, to do it.

How did you go about cultivating your social media following?

My goal on social media is to be relatable and authentic while educating and challenging the stigma surrounding cannabis. My approach is to share everyday images and experiences interspersed with details about cannabis and photos of my medication.

“I wish I had known about medical marijuana before I had a multi-level spinal fusion that worsened my condition. I wish I knew it before I endured years of unnecessary suffering. Cannabis should be a first-line treatment, NOT a last resort.”

How has your work as a cannabis influencer affected your medical career?

My work in cannabis has opened up a new world. I was passionate about my hospice vocation, but unfortunately, my bedside nursing career ended with the injury. Yet, through cannabis education I’m still able to positively impact patients and help ease suffering. It’s in a new and different way, but I’m actually reaching far more patients now than when I worked one-on-one bedside.

What do you hope to accomplish with your work as a cannabis advocate and influencer?

I wish I had known about medical marijuana before I had a multi-level spinal fusion that worsened my condition. I wish I knew it before I endured years of unnecessary suffering. Cannabis should be a first-line treatment, NOT a last resort. As a cannabis advocate and influencer, I hope to present a relatable story that inspires others to consider medical marijuana.