Is to educate physicians, patients, and the public about natural therapies, by offering a range of scientifically oriented content relevant to all levels of knowledge. To advance research and discoveries of natural therapies that improve health and well-being.
To build a philanthropic culture that will make the greater good a standard of the natural therapies industry.
Producing educational videos with expert speakers on timely, interesting, and vital topics that pertain to the use, acquisition, history, risks, and benefits of natural therapies.
Surveying dispensaries, cultivators, processors, patients, and others in the natural therapies industry about their impressions of the regulatory environment in Ohio.
Partnering with a major university to advance the cause of charitable giving in the natural therapies space, including a panel event with renowned and expert speakers on the topic and a research-based white paper defining the donative pathways for nonprofits in this industry.
Participating in, advancing and providing organizational support to the post-Covid-19 causes of hunger in America and gratitude to healthcare and other essential workers for their selfless service.
Our amazing team of seasoned professionals, combined with the shared efforts of our partners, are committed to projects that help others and advance our collective understanding of healing in the natural world.
Chair/CEO
Cheryl Lawrence McDaniel has been in the healthcare industry for over thirty years. She is the owner of Direct Success, a pharmaceutical support company; CEO of Extra Step Assurance, an educational support company specializing in cannabis as a medicine; and organizer of a team of experts that created the first national CME live training for doctors to learn about medicinal cannabis.
Vice Chair
Angelica Warren is a recognized patient advocate within the hospital and health care space. She has broad-based professional knowledge in nonprofit organizations, regulatory filings, nonprofit management, health insurance, event planning and high level customer service. She is also trained in patient care, claims and crisis intervention.
Treasurer
Tom Pardee has an extensive background in electronics having worked as a technician while serving in the U.S. Navy and later for NASA, Keithley Instruments, and Invacare. He also held an insurance license and Series 6 investment license with Primerica Financial Services. Now retired, he is currently Treasurer for a church in Oberlin where he has lived for decades.
Secretary
Mary Jane Borden is an artist, author, activist, and cannabis advocate from Westerville, Ohio. During her 40-year career in drug policy, she has co-founded five cannabis-oriented groups, co-authored four proposed constitutional amendments, lobbied for six medical marijuana bills, and given hundreds of media interviews.
Director
Lawrence Scott Cohen has over thirty years of professional experience in Public Policy, Regulatory & Legislative Advocacy, and Business Development. He has represented industry associations, private business interests, as well as Fortune 100 Companies in a variety of sectors including Public Utilities, Post-Secondary Education, and Medical Cannabis.
Director
Jon Wills, of Columbus, Ohio, is a retired healthcare executive who has been a physician and patient advocate for more than four decades. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving state association executive director in the osteopathic profession, earning numerous state and national awards for his achievements.
Development
John Pardee, President of Pardee Environmental, has over 30 years of experience in environmental health and safety. In 2013 as the first President of the Ohio Rights Group, Pardee organized a statewide ballot initiative that garnered over $1 million in earned media and over 150,000 voter signatures.
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