Beyond the Stigma: Finding Purpose in an Unexpected Industry

Career pivots often come with challenges, but few transitions invite quite as many raised eyebrows as my move from conventional financial services into the cannabis industry. After 30 years as a financial technology executive in one of the most conservative sectors imaginable, I stepped into a world of widespread misconceptions – beginning with my own family.

"My Son Sells Weed"

When I first joined the cannabis, CBD, and hemp industry, I quickly discovered the power of stigma firsthand. My mother began reluctantly telling people that her son "sold weed" – clearly disappointed in my apparent career choices. Meanwhile, my children thought they had suddenly become cool by association: "My dad sells weed!"

I found myself in the peculiar position of having to clarify to both generations: "No, I don't sell weed. That's not what I do." My role focuses on technology, compliance, and quality management for the industry – areas that leverage my executive and technical experience in regulatory technology while addressing critical needs in an emerging market. A nascent industry in significant need for safety, quality and compliance!

This family confusion perfectly encapsulates the broader misunderstandings surrounding this rapidly evolving industry. Some people think it's trendy, others view it with suspicion, but nearly everyone mischaracterizes what the professional side of this sector actually entails.

The Fading Shadow of Stigmatization

The good news is that this stigma is steadily eroding. With nearly 80% of Americans now supporting legalization, we're witnessing a remarkable shift in public perception. Much of the historical stigma stems from decades of political villainization through initiatives like the "War on Drugs" – campaigns that often overlooked nuance in favor of simplistic messaging.

Can cannabis products be misused and abused? Absolutely. But the same applies to alcohol and countless other substances that we regulate rather than prohibit. As a man of faith, I believe that natural resources are provided by God for our benefit – with the understanding that responsible use and proper oversight are essential.?

A Personal Connection

My involvement in this industry isn't just professional – it's personal. After years of relying on multiple pharmaceuticals for wellness issues like chronic gastrointestinal acid reflux, inflammation, and sleep difficulties, I began exploring alternatives including CBD. The results were transformative, allowing me to eliminate medications I had depended on for years.

This experience sparked a realization: much of what I had accepted as truth about this plant had been shaped by political agendas and competing commercial interests rather than balanced scientific assessment. The stigmatization didn't align with my firsthand experience of the benefits these products can provide when used appropriately and responsibly.

Purpose-Driven Technology

At this stage of my career, I'm driven by purpose above all else. My professional expertise centers on automating quality, safety, transparency, and compliance – precisely what this emerging industry desperately needs to reach its full potential.

Every day, our team works to make this industry better, safer, and more transparent through technology. This isn't just good business – it's important work that ensures consumers have access to products they can trust, with clear information about origins, composition, and proper usage.

The majority of Americans now recognize that legalization is inevitable – in fact, it's already reality in most states. The critical next step isn't debating whether these products should exist, but ensuring they exist within a legal framework that prioritizes transparency, consumer safety and product integrity.

Beyond the Misperceptions

I occasionally still encounter those who question how someone with my background could enter this field. But these voices are increasingly outnumbered by those who understand the sophistication, importance and legitimacy of what we're building.

I believe in the potential of this plant when utilized properly. I believe it exists for a reason – not to be misused, but to be harnessed thoughtfully within systems that ensure safety, quality, compliance, and transparency.

There should be no stigma attached to work that makes an industry safer, more accountable, and more beneficial to those it serves. Sometimes the most meaningful contributions we can make lie in unexpected places – beyond conventional wisdom and comfortable career paths.

The next time you encounter a discussion about cannabis, I encourage you to look deeper. This ancient plant, once used regularly by Native Americans and many other early inhabitants of this Earth, and given to us by our Creator, represents an industry where ancient wisdom meets modern innovation. Cannabis stands at the intersection of global ancestral knowledge, cutting-edge research, and evolving social understanding..

For millennia, indigenous peoples and ancient civilizations across the world recognized the sacred and medicinal properties of this plant, using it in rituals, healing practices, and daily life. From the Americas to Asia, Africa to Europe, cannabis has been a part of human culture and medicine. Now, we're rediscovering what our ancestors from diverse cultures knew – that this gift from the Creator has profound potential for human health and wellness.

The cannabis industry embodies how important innovations often arise from reconnecting with ancient wisdom from various corners of the globe. Researchers, medical professionals, and entrepreneurs in this space are bridging the gap between traditional use and modern applications, challenging long-held misconceptions, and uncovering new potential.

By approaching cannabis with respect for its global history and an open mind to its future, we have the opportunity to unlock benefits that have been overlooked or suppressed for generations. This industry serves as a reminder that progress often requires us to honor ancestral knowledge from multiple cultures, question established norms, and recognize the wisdom inherent in the natural world our Creator has provided.

No Mom, no kids, I don't sell weed – I'm helping to pioneer a future where this ancient plant, given by our Creator, is understood, respected, and safely accessible to all who can benefit from its healing and wellness potential. My passion, vision, and drive are dedicated to transforming an industry, challenging misconceptions, and ensuring that cannabis can fulfill its purpose with integrity, safety, and scientific rigor.