Tanesha Smelser is the Executive Director of The Forrest Initiative, an organization she started when her son, Forrest, was diagnosed with epilepsy. When she first tried CBD for her young child, she was amazed by its impact and became an advocate.  

Travis Mckenzie started TJ's Gardens in 2006 because his wife, Cham, was suffering from a very traumatic brain injury. They had exhausted all of their traditional options for healing when their doctor recommended cannabis as a last resort. They were amazed by its healing effects.

Dave Villalobos is the owner of SolRevolt and is one of the first marijuana growers to have an emphasis on helping children. His organization helps bridge the gap between philanthropy and sustainability. Dave has a personal story of watching his father go to prison due to him being in the illegal marijuana trade at the time. 

Together, these three individuals are seeking to normalize the cannabis industry and promote the health benefits it has for those with medical illnesses and conditions. Find out more on this week’s episode on how they help children! 

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] How did TJ's Gardens first get started? 

[10:35] How did SolRevolt get started? 

[18:55] Dave shares his thoughts on why he’s reaching out to faith-based leaders. 

[23:05] When did The Forrest Initiative get started? 

[30:00] What kind of surprising comments did Tanesha get when she started advocating for the use of cannabis for children with medical illnesses? 

[33:15] What kind of research is out there about the benefits of cannabis? 

[36:25] How do Dave and his team measure the right doses? 

[44:15] What types kind of feedback and stories have Tanesha, Travis and Dave gotten so far? 

[47:40] What’s next for these three organizations?

[59:45] This plant is not a magic pill that will cure all illnesses, but by combining it with a wellness approach, it has a lot to offer. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

TJ’s Gardens

The Forrest Initiative

SolRevolt

SolRevolt on LinkedIn