I was taught to fear and loathe a plant,

but I changed my mind.

The plant ended up changing my life.

Kristen Williams, founder of Hempsley, shares her story

When I introduce people to cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, I want them to understand just how far I’ve come. I want them to know just how intense of a journey this has been. 

I grew up in conservative, small town Missouri. I was raised by the church. I believed every word of D.A.R.E. was the gospel truth. 

I was a good kid, and good kids didn’t touch drugs.

Back in those days, nobody would’ve believed I’d one day have a career in cannabis. I was known for being an avid rule follower. 

Straight A’s, Valedictorian, Editor-in-chief of the yearbook, full-ride scholarship for college.

I was the kind of kid who would never get in trouble. 

But people often don’t realize that high-achievers face a different kind of trouble. The stress that chips away at your smile. The anxiety that throbs in your temples. The stomach tied in tights knots of nausea and worry. The tortured perfectionism and the risk of burning out. But more on that later. 

Flash forward to college. A good friend of mine got in trouble for using cannab*s, and I was fully prepared to give him a lecture on the dangers and evils of this toxic substance.

Our conversation ended with him lecturing me about how little I actually knew. I was just repeating what I’d been taught and hadn’t done any investigating myself. 

I trusted this friend. He didn’t shame me or judge me for my ignorance. Instead he encouraged me to do my homework first.

I always do my homework.

I left our conversation committed to doing my own research. After lots of research, and I mean lots, I decided I would conduct my own experiment and try it for myself.

The first time I ever used cannab*s was the first time my mind grew quiet. 

Read more about Kristen’s story and her mission.