Kathleen Beebe
Regional Manager and HR Director
Missouri Health and Wellness Dispensary
Jefferson City, MO
Anyone working in the industry knows the medical cannabis industry is unique in many ways. Not only do we have a longtime stigma to overcome while trying to legitimize cannabis as a medicine, but because it is still a Schedule I drug, there has been limitations on researching all the benefits this plant has to offer.
One of our biggest challenges is walking the fine line of offering “guidance” without offering “medical advice.” We need to rely on the medical community to provide patients with information about what could help their symptoms, while also being aware of potential drug interactions. But many doctors will not discuss cannabis or, even worse, may scare people with misinformation and old-school thinking.
The good news is there are certified physicians who not only know the benefits of cannabis, but who are also educated about cannabis and can provide solid medical advice to help people who are suffering. At Missouri Health and Wellness Dispensary, we have been lucky enough to partner with Midwest Cannabinoid Clinics, which has a certified physician on staff. MCC provides a valuable service to our patients by offering consultations and concrete advice related to medical cannabis.
Though we do everything we can to ensure our staff is trained and educated, we are still very careful about not offering medical advice. Having a partner like MCC is invaluable to both our patients and our employees. We also recommend people keep a journal to track their own progress and what works or doesn’t work for them, and we carry cannabis education materials, such as the “Cannabis Pharmacy,” book. We empower people to be their own advocate.
Kathleen Beebe is the regional manager and human resources director of Missouri Health and Wellness, where she oversees four dispensaries. She has been working in the cannabis industry since 2017, getting her start as the HR director and compliance manager at a cultivation facility. She has a degree in environmental studies and prior to getting involved in the cannabis industry worked in sustainability with a focus on green building, recycling, renewable energy and energy efficiency.