Emily Fisher, founder and CEO of Leafwell, has redefined the role of cannabis in modern healthcare. As a breast cancer survivor and medical cannabis patient, Emily’s personal experiences have fueled her mission to expand access to cannabis-based treatments and drive groundbreaking research into its therapeutic potential. With Leafwell, she has built a healthtech and data company that has reached over 400,000 patients across 37 states, offering a lifeline of education, telehealth consultations, and data-driven insights for those seeking alternative solutions for their health concerns.
Emily Fisher is a passionate entrepreneur and healthcare advocate dedicated to unlocking the incredible potential of cannabis as medicine. As a breast cancer survivor and medical cannabis patient, Emily has experienced firsthand both the power and versatility of cannabis as a medicine and the need to further the science to understand how to use it efficaciously to truly unlock its therapeutic potential. With this personal insight, she founded Leafwell to increase patient access to medical cannabis and to gather real-world and clinical data to better understand how people can achieve their desired therapeutic goals.
Under Emily’s leadership, Leafwell has grown into an industry-leading healthtech and data company that has successfully served over 400,000 patients across 37 states in the United States. Each month, the company’s website receives more than 1 million visitors eager to learn more about the benefits of medical cannabis and how it can help with various health conditions.
Emily’s commitment to her mission is evident in the compassionate and knowledgeable team she has built at Leafwell, all dedicated to understanding cannabis as medicine and sharing this critical information with the world. Her goal is for millions more people to find the relief they need and deserve, improving their quality of life through informed cannabis use.
Emily’s unwavering belief in the power of cannabis has made her an influential voice in the industry. Through Leafwell, she advocates for increased access, education, and cannabis research, aiming to have it recognized and utilized as a legitimate and effective form of medicine for countless patients worldwide.
As the Founder and CEO of Leafwell, Emily Fisher has not only made a considerable impact on the lives of those who have found solace in medical cannabis but has also played a significant role in changing public perception of this once-stigmatized plant. By continuing to push boundaries and challenge misconceptions, Emily’s work with Leafwell represents how passion and determination can lead to positive change in healthcare and beyond.
Recently, Emily shared her thoughts on Leafwell’s collaboration with Marvin Washington, a former NFL player and advocate for cannabis reform. This partnership signifies a bold step toward integrating cannabis into professional sports’ health benefit plans and addressing unique health challenges faced by athletes, such as chronic pain and neurological conditions.
Through this interview, Emily reveals how Leafwell’s data-driven approach, combined with Marvin’s expertise, is shaping the future of cannabis as a legitimate and impactful component of integrative healthcare.
Ganjly: What inspired Leafwell to bring Marvin Washington on board as an advisor, and how do you envision his role shaping the future of integrative health benefits for athletes?
Emily Fisher: Marvin Washington’s remarkable journey resonates deeply with Leafwell’s mission. As a former NFL player, he understands firsthand the physical and mental demands of professional athletes and the challenges they face, including chronic pain and the long-term health impacts of their careers.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Marvin has emerged as a leading voice in cannabis reform, advocating for its responsible use in medicine, particularly for athletes. He recognizes the potential of cannabis to address critical issues like pain management, concussion recovery, and the long-term neurological health of athletes while offering a safer alternative to opioids.
At Leafwell, we believe in empowering individuals to make informed healthcare decisions. We are committed to increasing access to safe and effective medical cannabis treatments, and we recognize the significant unmet needs within the athletic community.
Marvin’s expertise and advocacy align perfectly with Leafwell’s vision. His insights will be invaluable as we develop innovative programs and services that address the unique healthcare needs of athletes. Together with Marvin, we believe we can play a crucial role in shaping the future of integrative health benefits for athletes and pave the way for a more holistic approach to athlete wellness.
Ganjly: How does Leafwell’s partnership with Marvin Washington align with the company’s broader mission to advance cannabis research and patient care?
Emily Fisher: Marvin Washington’s partnership with Leafwell is a natural extension of our mission to advance cannabis research and patient care. At Leafwell, we are dedicated to making cannabis accessible, effective, and personalized for individuals who can benefit from its therapeutic potential. Marvin’s advocacy for cannabis reform and his deep understanding of the challenges faced by athletes bring invaluable insight to our efforts.
He has advocated for the critical need for safer, science-backed alternatives to manage pain, reduce opioid dependency, and address neurological conditions like CTE. These objectives closely align with Leafwell’s commitment to using data and research to inform cannabis care and establish it as a legitimate healthcare option.
Through this partnership, we aim to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and cannabis care by advocating for policy changes, educating the public, and developing programs tailored to unique patient groups, including both current and retired athletes. Marvin’s leadership and influence help us accelerate this mission by normalizing cannabis as a reimbursable healthcare benefit and unlocking its potential to improve lives.
Ganjly: With the NFL recently adjusting its substance abuse policy regarding marijuana, how do you see Leafwell’s initiatives influencing the integration of cannabis into professional sports organizations’ health benefit plans?
Emily Fisher: At Leafwell, we are dedicated to integrating cannabis into health benefit plans through a clinical, research-driven approach. Studies indicate that cannabis when used effectively, can serve as an alternative to prescription medications. Research has demonstrated that individuals utilizing cannabis therapeutically often reduce or even eliminate their reliance on prescription pain medication, leading to improved quality of life.
By adhering to scientific evidence, we believe that cannabis will become an integral component of professional sports organizations’ health benefit plans. This integration not only benefits athletes by providing safer pain management and recovery options but also organizations that can potentially reduce healthcare costs and improve player health and productivity.
Ganjly: Athletes often face unique challenges like chronic pain and neurological conditions. How does Leafwell’s data-driven approach ensure that cannabis treatments are tailored to these specific health needs?
Emily Fisher: At Leafwell, we address these specific health needs of athletes through a comprehensive, data-driven approach that combines clinical expertise with real-world data to develop personalized cannabis treatment plans.
Data-Driven Personalization
Leafwell’s data-driven approach leverages cutting-edge research, patient outcomes, and the expertise of our network of healthcare providers to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of each individual, including athletes. We utilize this data to understand how cannabis can effectively address pain, inflammation, sleep disturbances, and other health concerns commonly experienced by athletes.
Clinical Expertise and Athlete Advocacy
Collaborating with advocates like Marvin Washington, who understands the challenges athletes face, enhances our ability to develop targeted solutions. Marvin’s insights into the athletic community inform our approach, ensuring that our treatments address the specific recovery and performance needs of athletes.
Research-Backed Treatment Plans
We prioritize evidence-based practices, utilizing the latest research to inform our treatment recommendations. Studies have shown that cannabis can serve as an alternative to prescription medications, aiding in pain management and improving quality of life. By staying aligned with current research, we ensure our patients receive safe and effective care.
Holistic Athlete Care
We are proud that our approach goes beyond symptom management; we consider the overall well-being of athletes. By providing personalized cannabis treatments, we aim to enhance recovery, support mental health, and improve performance, contributing to a higher quality of life for athletes both during and after their careers.
Ganjly: Beyond athletes, what potential do you see for Leafwell’s telehealth model and cannabis consultations to benefit other high-performance or high-stress industries?
Emily Fisher: Leafwell’s telehealth model and cannabis consultations have the potential to benefit a wide range of individuals beyond athletes. Our experience serving over 400,000 patients, from young adults to seniors, has demonstrated the remarkable versatility of cannabis in addressing a diverse spectrum of health conditions, exceeding 100 documented uses. This underscores the significant potential of cannabis as a therapeutic option across various populations.
Beyond athletes, we see significant opportunities in other high-stress and high-performance industries including:
- Veterans: Individuals who have served in the military often experience high levels of trauma and stress related to their service. Cannabis may offer potential benefits for managing PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, and other service-related conditions.
- Technology Professionals: The fast-paced and demanding nature of the tech industry can contribute to high levels of stress, burnout, and sleep issues. Our telehealth model can provide convenient access to cannabis-based therapies to support the mental and emotional well-being of tech professionals.
- Creative Professionals: Individuals in creative fields often experience high levels of pressure and anxiety. Cannabis may offer a potential aid for managing stress, enhancing focus, and improving overall well-being.
- Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation: These industries often involve physically demanding work, a higher risk of workplace injuries, and exposure to chronic pain. Medical cannabis can offer a safe and effective alternative for managing pain and reducing reliance on opioids, which are associated with significant risks of dependency and side effects. When used responsibly under medical supervision, cannabis can support workers’ recovery and overall well-being without impairing their ability to perform safety-sensitive tasks. By integrating medical cannabis into health plans with appropriate screening and education, these industries can promote both employee health and workplace safety.
- Service Industries: Individuals in food service and hospitality frequently experience irregular hours, customer-facing stress, and the potential for burnout.
By expanding our reach to these and other high-stress industries, Leafwell aims to make accessible, evidence-based cannabis care a standard of wellness for individuals seeking alternative and effective solutions for their health and well-being.
Ganjly: Cannabis reform within professional sports has been a contentious issue. What challenges do you anticipate in advocating for its inclusion in players’ union health plans, and how does Leafwell plan to address them?
Emily Fisher: Advocating for medical cannabis inclusion in players’ union health plans presents several challenges such as navigating complex legal regulations, overcoming societal stigma, and ensuring health and safety.
To address these, Leafwell focuses on education, research, and collaboration.
- Educational Initiatives: We provide evidence-based information to stakeholders, highlighting cannabis’s therapeutic benefits for pain management and recovery.
- Data-Driven Approach: We will leverage our data-driven approach, including patient outcomes and research findings, to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis in improving employee health and well-being. This data-driven approach will be crucial in building trust and gaining buy-in from organizations.
- Collaborative Partnerships: We engage with players’ unions and medical professionals to develop comprehensive health plans that include cannabis options.
- Prioritizing Patient Safety: We will emphasize the importance of responsible cannabis use and the need for appropriate medical guidance and supervision.
Through these efforts, Leafwell aims to integrate medical cannabis into players’ union health plans, enhancing athlete well-being and advancing acceptance in professional sports.
Ganjly: Marvin Washington is also an advocate for social justice within the cannabis industry. How does Leafwell incorporate health equity and accessibility into its services for underserved communities?
Emily Fisher: At Leafwell, we are deeply committed to promoting health equity and accessibility, particularly within underserved communities. Our approach encompasses several key strategies:
Telehealth Accessibility
By leveraging telehealth, we eliminate traditional barriers to healthcare access, such as transportation challenges and geographical limitations. This model enables individuals in remote or underserved areas to connect with qualified healthcare providers from the comfort of their homes, ensuring timely and convenient access to medical cannabis consultations.
Culturally Competent Care
Our diverse team of healthcare providers is trained in cultural competence, allowing them to understand and respect the unique cultural backgrounds of our patients. This sensitivity fosters trust and effective communication, ensuring that care is personalized and respectful of individual cultural needs.
Comprehensive Data Collection
Serving thousands of patients nationwide provides us with a rich dataset that reflects diverse experiences and outcomes. Analyzing this data through a culturally informed lens enhances our understanding of how different communities interact with medical cannabis, enabling us to tailor our services to meet varied needs effectively.
Community Engagement and Education
We actively engage with underserved communities to provide education about medical cannabis, addressing misconceptions and providing accurate information. By offering resources and support, we empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
Affordability Initiatives
Recognizing that cost can be a significant barrier, we strive to make our services affordable. By reducing overhead costs associated with traditional healthcare settings, we pass on savings to our patients, making medical cannabis consultations more accessible to those in need.
Through these concerted efforts, Leafwell is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural background, have equitable access to the potential benefits of medical cannabis.
Ganjly: Leafwell’s work spans over 100 providers and 30 specialties. Can you provide examples of how Leafwell’s telehealth network supports holistic care for patients, particularly athletes?
Emily Fisher: Our integrated network enables seamless collaboration among specialists, ensuring that all aspects of a patient’s health are addressed. For athletes, this means that sports medicine experts, physical therapists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals can work together to develop personalized treatment plans that consider the whole person, not just isolated symptoms. This multidisciplinary approach enhances recovery, optimizes performance, and supports overall well-being.
Additionally, Leafwell’s proprietary electronic medical record (EMR) system ensures that patient information is consistently updated and accessible to relevant providers within the network. This facilitates coordinated care, helping address all aspects of a patient’s health effectively and efficiently.
Ganjly: What role do you see cannabis research playing in the future of managing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), both for athletes and the general public?
Emily Fisher: Cannabis research holds immense potential in revolutionizing the management of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), impacting not only athletes but also individuals who have experienced head trauma from accidents, military service, or other causes.
At Leafwell, we believe that following and furthering the science is paramount to unlocking the full therapeutic potential of cannabis for these conditions. Emerging research suggests that cannabinoids may offer neuroprotective benefits, potentially mitigating the long-term consequences of brain trauma by reducing neuroinflammation.
Cannabis has shown promise in managing chronic pain, a common and debilitating symptom of TBI and CTE. Leafwell is committed to supporting and contributing to this critical research and advancing our understanding of how cannabis can be safely and effectively used to improve the lives of individuals living with TBI and CTE.
Ganjly: Looking ahead, how does Leafwell plan to expand its partnerships with organizations beyond players’ unions to further the adoption of medical cannabis in healthcare and wellness programs nationwide?
Emily Fisher: Leafwell is dedicated to expanding its partnerships beyond players’ unions to promote the adoption of medical cannabis in healthcare and wellness programs nationwide. Our strategy includes:
Collaborations with Dispensaries
We have established partnerships with over 700 dispensaries across the country, offering exclusive 15% stackable discounts to members of organizations that choose to incorporate cannabis care. This initiative enhances accessibility and affordability, encouraging broader acceptance of medical cannabis as a viable healthcare option.
Emphasis on Scientific Evidence and Patient-Centered Care
By prioritizing scientific research and maintaining a patient-first approach, we ensure that our services resonate with a diverse range of organizations. Our commitment to evidence-based practices enables us to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of cannabis care, appealing to entities beyond players’ associations. As individuals experience relief and improved quality of life through our platform, we anticipate that more organizations will recognize the value of integrating cannabis care into their health and wellness programs.
Educational Initiatives
We actively engage in educational efforts to inform organizations about the benefits and applications of medical cannabis. By providing evidence-based information and resources, we aim to dispel misconceptions and foster informed decision-making among employers and healthcare providers.
Tailored Wellness Programs
Leafwell is developing customized wellness programs that incorporate medical cannabis as a component of holistic health strategies. These programs are designed to meet the specific needs of various organizations, promoting employee well-being and potentially reducing healthcare costs.
Through these initiatives, Leafwell strives to broaden the acceptance and integration of medical cannabis into mainstream healthcare and wellness programs, benefiting individuals nationwide.
Thank you, Emily, for taking the time to do the interview.
Emily Fisher and Leafwell continue to lead the charge in transforming perceptions of cannabis and making its therapeutic benefits accessible to a diverse range of individuals. With a commitment to innovation, advocacy, and compassionate care, Leafwell sets a new standard in patient-centered cannabis solutions. To learn more about Leafwell’s mission, services, and ongoing initiatives, visit their website and join the conversation on the future of cannabis in healthcare.
