Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly McKay.
Shelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a cannabis educator, Co-Founder and Health & Wellness Director of Kannabis Works, a fully licensed California Dispensary in Santa Ana, Orange County. A lot of people know me as Kannabis Shelly. As a deeply-dedicated and driven cannabis entrepreneur, I have worked in the cannabis industry for over five years in a variety of roles including business development, investment, product specialist, patient support and cannabis wellness coaching. I have a passion for the medical research happening globally that continues to evolve our understanding and use of cannabis.
I have worked with countless cultivators, distributors and vendors to find the best methods to ensure patients get knowledgeable information and reliable, clean, tested products. I came to this path in life because of a friend who was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. I saw how cannabis improved his quality of life. He was so sick when he was diagnosed, they said he had a few months to live. He started taking Rick Simpson Oil in conjunction with his conventional therapy, which extended his life for three years and allowed him a better quality of life where he was still able to be active.
I didn’t know about cannabinoids, oils, or much else at the time, but I saw the potential for cannabis as medicine much more now than ever before. I also went through a period in life in my 40s when I went through 5 surgeries in 4 years and felt locked in a pharmaceutical nightmare. Once I started using cannabis oils, my doctor’s visits decreased, my pill consumption decreased, and my health improved dramatically.
That’s where my driving energy comes from. From the compassion and desire to see more people gain relief from this powerful medicine. This same force drove me to work more with pediatric cancer patients and veterans to help their mental health issues and pain management, as well. Last March, we started a compassionate program for our veterans under SB 34, which allows for free access to cannabis through the generosity of cannabis manufacturers in the state.
We’ve built our dispensary around this mindset, and it’s reflected in the products we carry at Kannabis Works. Now, I’m a Certified Cannabis Specialist and proud member of OC Norml, the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, and Americans for Safe Access. I’ve taught online and in-person courses at venues including Green Flower Media, Cal State Long Beach, and more.
Has it been a smooth road?
Working in the cannabis industry is never really a smooth road. When we first opened Kannabis Works it was like the Wild West here. State regulations from the Bureau of Cannabis Control weren’t in place until 2019. It was always a constant change as far as product was concerned. Either vendors were too small, didn’t have financial backing, or couldn’t stay afloat for other reasons. Seed to sale tracking is finally a mandatory requirement, legal cannabis has testing standards, and we’re able to stock a large range of unique products that are regulation compliant.
Personally, the biggest struggle is providing safe access to people who want clean cannabis. When we voted for Prop 64 as a state we agreed that we wanted safe access. But the biggest struggle that we have to this day is that we don’t have a lot of cannabis dispensaries on the legal side. Out of the 482 cities in California, only 20% have allowed for retail. The unlicensed market is larger due to the high costs in start-up fees and on-going taxes. There’s a lot of regulations and it takes a lot of financial support to operate legally. Hopefully over time, this will change.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kannabis Works story. Tell us more about the business.
Kannabis Works is 1 of less than 20 operating legal cannabis dispensaries currently in Santa Ana. More will be coming soon. What separates us from most other dispensaries is that we are medically-minded with a huge focus on cannabis wellness.
Our goal is to provide physicians and their patient’s treatment options with cannabis to hopefully fill the gap between allopathic medicine and homeopathic options. In cases where only pharmaceuticals may have been prescribed in the past, it is our vision and mission to change the narrative of the industry to remove the negative public stigma around cannabis.
Specifically, we focus most with our clients on: the Endocannabinoid System and how cannabis works in their body; how to select safe and reliable products; the dosing process and what to expect; the risks and benefits of cannabis; the difference between hemp-based and cannabis-derived Cannabidiol; and much more.
We’re the perfect dispensary for seniors, veterans and more who need cannabis education before they can make the right decision on the products best suited for them. This is the mission that drives us.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The next 5 to 10 years, and beyond, will be remembered as the most important, transitory time for this industry. You’re already seeing a shift to legal markets, which will only continue as bigger brands and corporations enter the space. During this time, it’s going to be important for cannabis dispensaries to still support the mom and pop farmers that got our industry this far.
However, more access will also benefit cannabis science, as, hopefully, we’ll get more research, more results and more conclusive information on the benefits of this miraculous plant.
If we’re going to talk about where we’re going, it’s also important to talk about where this industry came from. To thank all the women and men who have served and fought for our freedom. I would also like to acknowledge the pioneers fighting tirelessly for cannabis legalization and compassionate and safe access for years. Many have taken incalculable risks in their journey. It is important to remember the families that have been torn apart as a result of the failed War on Drugs.
I ask you to look up the Last Prisoner Project while we’re on this subject. Until all people are free of penalties for breaking outdated cannabis laws, we will not be able to have a truly free industry.
Pricing:
- Different Daily Discount Deals
- 15% Discount for Veterans & Seniors
- 15% Discount for patients with special medical conditions and specific cannabis recommendations
- 20% First Time Client Discount
- SB 34 Compassionate Donations
Contact Info:
- Address: 2106 S. Susan Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704
- Website: www.kannabisworks.com
- Phone: 949-662-3960
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/kannabis.shelly
- Facebook: facebook.com/wellnessworkca
- Other: instagram.com/kworks.oc
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Kannabis Works
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