Why I Chose Cannabis: Black Women on Motherhood, Healing, and the Power of the Plant

Jessica Lewis, MS BSN RN, wears many hats—registered nurse, cannabis consultant, patient advocate, and secretary for the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA). But her most cherished title is “mom.” 

As a proud mother of two daughters, Jessica brings both professional insight and personal experience to the conversation around cannabis and motherhood. 

In this installment of Why I Chose Cannabis, she shares how her medical background shaped her views on the plant, why advocacy starts at home, and how she balances healing others while nurturing herself and her girls.

CashColorCannabis: What inspired you to first explore cannabis, and what was your initial experience like?

Jessica Lewis: I mean, I’ve grown up in the inner city of Baltimore, so cannabis or “weed” was never a foreign word to me, by far. However, for years, I’ve dealt with chronic pain from injuries obtained during my time enlisted in the Marine Corps. I think for many people, the path toward cannabis begins where conventional options fall short. Whether someone is struggling with stress management, chronic pain, sleep, anxiety, burnout, or an endless number of different disease states, the whole world is struggling with something. As a nurse and veteran, I’ve seen firsthand how plant medicine can serve as an entry point into more holistic care for a lot of people. The stories were so powerful: people literally choosing curiosity over political fear-mongering and instead seeking healing over harsh side effects. The endless stories that ended with success piqued my interest, and I started to study and learn more about the plant formally.

CCC: How has cannabis impacted your life as a mother—mentally, emotionally, or physically?

JL: The impact cannabis can have on a mother’s life is layered. Women….moms take on the weight of the world, and it (cannabis) can sometimes create space to breathe, to feel, to be present without being overwhelmed. For a lot of mothers, it doesn’t erase the responsibilities, but it can reframe them. When used intentionally, it can support emotional regulation, ease physical discomfort, and remind mothers that they deserve their own care and calmness too.

CCC: Did becoming a mom change how you viewed or used cannabis? If so, how?

JL: Not per se, I’ve always believed that this world tries to control someone’s personal choice way too much. If someone wants to use a medicinal plant that helps them relieve pain and/or sickness, who are we to tell them no and instead watch them suffer? However, motherhood did deepen my lens on everything. 

For many women, becoming a mother shifts how we think about what wellness means and how we show up in our wellness journey. Especially as a black mom, where the world often tries to test the unwanted theory of how “unbreakable ” they are? Now, as a mom myself, I can see why some moms look at cannabis as they do. Not an escape, but a proactive, intentional wellness strategy.

CCC: What does a cannabis routine look like for mothers today?
JL: It may vary for everyone, but I’m sure the common thread is intentionality. Some may lean on teas or tinctures in the evenings, while others may explore topicals or low-dose edibles as part of a larger routine centered around stress relief and nervous system support because, goodness, knows moms and stress go together real bad. Nonetheless, I think for many moms, the goal is not to check out from that mounting stress but instead to be more whole.

CCC: Have you ever felt judged for being a mother who supports or advocates for cannabis? How did you handle it?
JL: Man, the judgment is real, especially for Black mothers. I’ve never had someone specifically say anything to me to my face, but I’m sure the whispers are there because it’s intertwined in the fabric of this country. But honestly, I’ve reached the point in my life where I don’t care if those moments should arise. There is nothing you could ever do to make me doubt myself educationally, professionally, or especially as a mother. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t play one bit about my babies! And my quality of being a mother is evident through them, and that’s all that matters to me. They are thoughtful, funny, the right bit of sass, and are academically excelling in school. I’ll continue advocating for others and showing up as I have, if those are the results I get with my daughters. So, moms continue to stand firm in the facts, your experiences, and your right to care for yourselves outside the limits of outdated narratives.

CCC: Do you talk to your children (or plan to) about cannabis? What’s that conversation like?
JL: Well, let me start by saying, my children are very grounded and intelligent, and I want to make sure to help them grow up into strong, empathetic, and unbreakable young women. So I make sure to talk to them about everything good and bad- our history, the attack on women’s rights, all the antics of the world, and everything in between, including cannabis. We’re not talking about it every time we walk in the house, but we have discussed it within reason and age-appropriate info because my daughters are only 8 and 10. 

However, if you were to ask them what they know about cannabis, I guarantee they would say, “It’s a plant that has been around for years, some people like it and some people don’t. Mommy stands up for people who want to use it, because it has been helpful to a lot of people who are sick. But not everyone can or should use it. Especially not kids, unless they are very sick and given it by their parents and doctor”. As they get older, the talks will become more detailed if and when the need arises. As simple as that. 

I respect everyone’s parenting style, but it’s not rocket science. An informed person makes way better choices in life, and that definitely includes our children! Shielding you from the critical views of the world and things that they will one day undoubtedly encounter only does them a disservice. So instead, I choose to give my daughters education and empowerment, framed with love and responsibility.

CCC: How do you respond to the stigma that still surrounds motherhood and cannabis use, especially as a Black woman?
JL: I think mothers, especially Black mothers, should take up as much space as humanly possible and collectively work together to speak up against an incorrectly drawn narrative of us. You know…that whole power in numbers thing! The stigma created isn’t about safety; it’s about control. Black women have long been scrutinized for everything, including how we parent, how we should heal, and how we simply exist. If a mother chooses to support cannabis as part of their wellness journey, it’s not reckless, but instead thoughtful. It’s reclaiming autonomy over the care of your body, something that’s not anyone’s choice but yours.

CCC: What do you think the public gets wrong about “cannamoms”?
JL: People assume they’re disengaged or irresponsible when, in reality, many of these women are among the most intentional caregivers out there. It’s funny, but I like to say, “Moms, mom themselves too”! They won’t do anything that jeopardizes their children or their ability to see them grow and prosper. They do their research, talk to medical professionals, and if they choose cannabis, it’s not as a shortcut, but as a mindful part of staying presently intentional, while doing the immense hard work of motherhood.

CCC: What advice would you give to another mom who’s curious about cannabis but unsure where to start?
JL: Start by getting informed. I’m always going to push EDUCATION! It’s key, but seems to be losing its value, especially as so many states become adult-use and access becomes easier.  However, cannabis behaves vastly differently in each person’s body, so understand your options, ask questions, and connect with a provider who understands plant medicine and other moms who’ve done their homework as well. Finding a community of other moms who feel the same helps as well. You don’t have to know everything on day one, just listen to your body, and make safe decisions that align with your values and your peace.

CCC: What legacy do you hope to leave for your children regarding health, healing, and plant medicine?
JL: That healing can look many ways. That plant medicine, for those who choose to use it, is not taboo, but in actuality, tradition and how many people survived way before Western practices and big pharma were introduced and monetized as the only way to do things. 

I want them to know that healing is not a one-size-fits-all outfit that they need to squeeze into. Wellness brings them mental, emotional, and physical peace, and it’s their right. Most importantly, I want them to grow up knowing that being well doesn’t equate to being silent or ashamed. As their mom, I’ll do everything in my power to nurture their own voices so that they will one day become powerful Black women and mothers, too.