CannaVi Alternative Care
Viridiana Edwards, B.S. M.A. M.S.
CannaVi Alternative Care
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, over the years, has been known by several other names that you may be familiar with, such as Marijuana, Weed, Grass, Devil’s Lettuce, and Mary Jane, just to name a few. All of these names were the result of cannabis prohibition. People wanted to keep using cannabis partly because of its medicinal properties; therefore, they came up with other names for it, and over the years, many of them stuck. However, it is time that we retire all those names and use its given name of Cannabis.
Cannabis contains around 540 chemical substances. Compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes are among those substances which produce a harmonious effect when used together. Two popular cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) & Cannabidiol (CBD). THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid and has the famous “high”; what you are feeling is euphoria & relaxation. CBD is better known for its possible therapeutic effects and does not produce a “high.”Terpenes produce the smell you pick up from cannabis; they are aromatic oils that contain distinct flavors like pine, citrus, and berry. Terpenes can also play a role in the effects of cannabis as they may promote stress relief and relaxation, while other terpenes are prone to encourage focus & insight.
Before prohibition, Cannabis was widely used for its medicinal properties worldwide. From tinctures & salves to smoking, human beings were using cannabis. Studies have shown that cannabis may alleviate pain (including neuropathic pain), control nausea & vomiting, stimulate appetite, reduce anxiety and depression, and reduce inflammation, among many other effects.
Cannabis is federally illegal; however, over half of the U.S. states have passed laws to legalize it at the state level for medical and/or recreational purposes. Don't have a medical cannabis card? No problem! My services are for everyone 21 and older (and pediatric patients with parent/guardian consent) that would like medical cannabis coaching. I do not inquire about the legality of cannabis in your state of residence; that is YOUR responsibility. I am here simply to help anyone that would like guidance in their cannabis journey.
About
Viridiana Edwards
(aka "V")
Viridiana Edwards B.S. M.A. M.S.
Predoctoral Student | Human Services
U.S. Army Veteran
CannaVi Alternative Care was founded by Viridiana Edwards (Vee). Viridiana is a born and raised Texan. At 17, she joined the U.S. Army and left for South Carolina for basic training. A few years later, in 2009, she received orders to report to her new unit in Iowa and was set to deploy to Kandahar, Afghanistan. In June of 2015, Viridiana received a medical retirement from the U.S. Army after ten years of service due to her injuries while serving in Afghanistan from 2009-to 2010.
Viridiana sought treatment for her injuries with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Unfortunately, she was prescribed pharmaceutical medications that harmed her instead of helping her. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs treatments were unsuccessful for Viridiana, she began treating her PTSD, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and paralysis episodes with medical cannabis. Viridiana started making her own CBD sublingual drops and body oil. Viridiana's personal experience and evidence-based practices help her create personalized regimens for individuals seeking medical cannabis coaching.
In 2019, Viridiana was accepted into the first class in the nation’s first Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Viridiana has published two papers on medical cannabis and continues to research and advocate for national medical cannabis access for veterans.
Viridiana has released two Cannabis jingles!
Articles about Medical Cannabis
​“How Texans Stop Pain with a Plant: Findings from a Survey of Medical Cannabis Users”
​
By Viridiana Edwards and Dr. Neill Harris
