The Melanin Initiative's Podcast
Here at The Melanin Initiative, we simplify medical information into language you can understand, we create a safe space to ask your questions, and share our nursing perspective.
The Melanin Initiative's Podcast
Feeling Nervous About Medical Cannabis? This Dispensary 101 Episode Will Put You at Ease!
Medical marijuana, dispensaries, and safe cannabis use as medicine do not have to feel overwhelming or confusing. In this episode, you will gain the clarity and confidence you need to understand how dispensaries work, how cannabis is used safely, and how to make informed decisions without fear, stigma, or misinformation.
🔥 In This Episode:
This conversation is designed to transform uncertainty about nursing ethics into confidence. You will learn how to walk into a dispensary prepared, know what questions to ask, and understand what products, dosing, and routes of use actually mean for your health. Whether you are a first-time visitor, a caregiver supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional wanting to better educate patients, this episode gives you practical, real-world knowledge you can apply immediately.
✨ What You’ll Gain from This Episode:
✅ Confidence to navigate a medical cannabis dispensary without feeling intimidated or misled
✅ Clear, simple explanations of safe cannabis use, including dosing basics and non-smoking options
✅ A better understanding of legality, stigma, and why education matters for patient safety
✅ Tools to advocate for yourself or others using evidence-based information, not social media myths
💡 By the end of this episode, you will feel empowered to make informed choices about medical cannabis, ask the right questions, and approach cannabis use with safety, intention, and confidence.
🎧 Listen now:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lXPZc6lpG8w
Podcast Apps: https://themelanininitiativespodcast.buzzsprout.com
💬 Drop a comment and share what shifted your understanding the most.
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Check out our Playlist!
Resources Mentioned:
National Council of State Boards of Nursing – Medical Marijuana Guidelines
https://www.ncsbn.org
American Cannabis Nurses Association
https://www.cannabisnurses.org
Cannabis- A Handbook for Nurses by Carey S. Clark
Connect with Willa Smiley, DNP, RN
Website: https://theworthcontinuum.biz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willa-smiley-dnp-rn-epidemiologic-cannabis-compliance-advocate-238a0180/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oneworthlearning
Stay Connected with The Melanin Initiative Podcast:
✨ Visit our Website: https://tmi-melanin.my.canva.site/tmi
Video Chapters
00:00:00 – Introduction & The Melanin Initiative Mission
00:01:51 – Introducing Dr. Willa Smiley
00:04:23 – Icebreaker: 5 Questions in 5 Minutes
00:05:42 – Cannabis Research in Home Care Settings
00:32:24 – Cannabis Delivery Methods: Vapes, Tinctures, and Topicals
00:39:19 – Why Education Matters: The Gummy Story
00:40:00 – Cannabis Safety: Tolerance vs. Overdose
00:41:42 – Clinician Tools: Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) Test
00:56:45 – Dispensary 101: Legal Dispensaries vs. Smoke Shops
01:00:10 – Final Takeaways and Where to Find Dr. Smiley
Stay Connected with The Melanin Initiative Podcast:
✨ Mahogany Dermatology Nursing Bookstore: https://www.cosmeticnp.org/mahogany-dermatology-bookstore
✨ https://tmi-melanin.my.canva.site/tmi
✨ Email Us: tmi.melanin@gmail.com
✨ Increase your Health Literacy IQ: Caring For Us: www.caring4us.org