Dr. Amanda Reiman Digs Deeply Into 5 Questions About The Endocannabinoid System

“Once your mom admits to using cannabis, it’s tougher to support laws that would put her in jail.” —Amanda Reiman

Amanda Reiman is the Vice President of Community Development for Flow Kana, a branded cannabis distribution company that works with small farmers in the Emerald Triangle. She also sits on the boards of the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, the Fire Safe Council of Mendocino County, the Solar Living Institute, and the Initiative, the first incubator/accelerator for women-owned cannabis businesses.

 After receiving her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley, Dr. Reiman became the Director of Research and Patient Services at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the country, and the manager of Marijuana Law and Policy for the national nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance. An internationally recognized cannabis expert and public health researcher, she has taught courses on substance abuse treatment and drug policy at U.C. Berkeley for 10 years. Dubbed “The Brain” by Elle.com, Amanda was the first chairwoman of the Berkeley Medical Cannabis Commission and sat on the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

 Amanda is a passionate animal rights activist and adventurer who has helped to bridge the gap between the legacy of the Emerald Triangle’s traditional commerce and the exciting new compliant market California is forging today. I caught up with her recently to learn what’s top-of-mind for her as California cannabis struggles to stay afloat with no federal legality or access to safe banking. 

Let’s talk about cannabis. 

WB: Why cannabis? What brought you to the plant? When did you first discover it? For what purpose? 

Amanda Reiman=AR: I first consumed cannabis while in high school, but I didn’t really learn to enjoy it until years later in college. I was initially drawn to the plant because of how it makes me feel. Then, when I developed arthritis in my 20s, I was drawn to the relief cannabis provides. (More)