Christina’s journey with cannabis is anything but ordinary. Growing up in Washington DC and initially shying away from the plant due to severe reactions, she never imagined it would play a pivotal role in her life. Yet, as she stepped into the cannabis business world, she rediscovered cannabis through a lens of wellness and mindfulness. Together, we unravel how understanding dosages and product sources transformed her perspective and how staying true to one’s mission can guide intentional and meaningful cannabis use.

The ever-evolving concept of wellness takes center stage as we explore its intersection with the cannabis industry. Drawing from my experiences with Conscious Capitalism and the founding of Rooted Therapeutics, we reflect on how business can indeed be a force for good. We also spotlight the efforts of Standard Wellness in Maryland, as we discuss the importance of empathy, open-minded parenting, and how personal definitions of wellness can shift over time amidst commercial pitfalls.

Cannabis is more than just a plant; it’s a tool for creativity and Stress relief, especially within Black and Latino communities facing historic challenges. Christina and I delve into how changing the narrative can promote participation and self-expression in these communities. We also tackle leadership challenges, particularly the balancing act between personal wellness and organizational demands. From making tough decisions to maintaining community connections, we highlight the necessity of intentional wellness efforts, supportive networks, and the ongoing journey of achieving balance in a demanding world.

Guest Bio: Christina Betancourt Johnson is the founder and chief executive officer of Standard Wellness Maryland (SWM), the first African American and Latina majority-owned vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States, and the first vertically integrated social equity licensee to launch in Maryland. Christina brings more than 15 years of executive leadership to the cannabis industry and holds leadership roles on the U.S. Cannabis Council and the National Hispanic Cannabis Council’s Board of Directors. In Maryland, she serves as Vice Chair of The Maryland Wholesale Cannabis Trade Association (CANMD) and was recently appointed by Governor Wes Moore to the Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis. Christina is passionate about developing young women and is committed to identifying strategies for wealth-building and wellness in Black and Brown communities.

https://www.standardwellness.com/maryland

https://theforestdispensary.com/baltimore-md

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Music by Matthew Baxley

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Carly Jean Puch Podcaster

As I stumbled through the perils of answering the ultimate question, "what do you want to do with your life?" I knew somehow my answer would incorporate helping others. This translated into paths that, when I tuned into the universe, I realized were very connected. (Funny how that always happens!)

People are complicated, messy, and layered with identities. So is this space. I am a meditation enthusiast that sits in quietness every morning and a lover of blasting 90's hip-hop at full volume. I'm a gym rat and a yoga instructor. I am both learner and a teacher. We are all many things. Together we can make them all work.

I love to share all the things I'm learning along the way. Learning how to be your most fabulous self but being honest about how damn hard and messy it can be along the way lets you speak your truth. It allows you to best use your voice for the causes that matter to you. Let's get healthy and change the world together!