My UMSOP Story: Alexis Muller, MS ’22, public health educator for the Hawaii Department of Health

Alexis Muller is a 2022 graduate of the MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) program. She is the public health educator for the Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation.

What led you to pursue the MS in MCST?

Growing up on Northern California, I have always been motivated by a desire to share the profound benefits of cannabis with others and to play a role in destigmatizing and normalizing its use. By combining rigorous scientific inquiry with a deep appreciation for the spiritual and communal aspects of cannabis, I hoped to contribute to a more holistic understanding of this remarkable plant and its role in promoting health, wellness, and connection within our communities.

The opportunity to fulfill this lifelong dream never existed previously. The discovery of the MCST program came at a time when I started working at a dispensary. The large gap that existed between a recommending provider, the patient, and dispensary staff became very apparent, and I was determined to find a solution to bridge that education gap. I searched online for education programs in cannabis, found the MCST program, and immediately knew it was meant to be.

What drew you to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy?

I wanted to be part of a university program that values research and collaboration, and quite frankly I wanted to be a part of the first program in the US to acknowledge the value that the cannabis plant brings to society. To honor the plant’s accomplishments to cultures around the world and to challenge the way modern society views the cannabis plant through science, innovation, and education. There is so much emphasis put on the negative attributes of the cannabis plant, and very little is focused on the healing it brings to millions around the world. It was a breath of fresh air to join this program.

What was your experience like as a student in the MCST program?

Unfortunately, most of the program was during COVID, so I only attended graduation in person. Besides not being able to attend the symposiums, which I highly recommend to others, it was everything I could imagine. I was taught by some of the greatest minds in the nation. The program was very organized and well thought out, with an emphasis on relevant cannabis topics and trends. We covered topics from politics and pharmacology to adverse effects and learned evidence-based medicine practices. I felt challenged and encouraged to think outside the box with my course work.

What work are you doing now, how did you get there, and how did UMSOP prepare you for that role?

I would have to write a book to describe the journey of how I got to where I am, but I got here through the MCST program, my passion for the cannabis plant, and my resiliency. The cannabis industry and culture are very unique and best suited for those who thrive in constant change and can adapt in the moment. It requires good running shoes because it’s a marathon, not a race.

The UMSOP program gave me the credibility to start the conversation with patients, clinicians, politicians, and industry leaders. Most importantly, it gave me the inspiration to wake up every day and continue doing what I’m passionate about.

My current position in the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation at the Hawaii Department of Health was written into state legislation to provide public education for the medical cannabis program. In this job, I use my experience in the cannabis industry combined with my MCST education to create educational content for the patients in the program, the public, and medical professionals. The priority is to create education for patients in the program through educational newsletters and help health care professionals feel comfortable answering basic medical cannabis questions that patients or the public may have. Our culture in Hawaii plays a large role in how we implement effective education, so we are focused on public seminars and community gathering where we come together and “talk story.”

What motivates you to pursue this career?

The plant and the patients. Everyone who wants to explore cannabis should have access to clean, affordable, sustainably cultivated cannabis, and the educational resources to use it responsibly and safely.

What is your advice to prospective students considering this program?

Have an open mind. Think outside the box. Start the conversation. Cannabis is an emerging industry, so the standard approaches don’t necessary apply. We get to collectively create a new industry. Be prepared to create your own path, make goals to be a mentor, whole heartedly and passionately keep doing what you love, and never give up

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Copyright © 2016 University of Maryland School of Pharmacy