Codi Peterson
President
With nearly a decade of pediatric hospital pharmacy experience, Codi's perspective is of great value when evaluating cannabinoid-based therapies. Often forced makes clinical decisions with limited pediatric data, the skills he has garnered as a pediatric pharmacist have positioned him well to enter the field of medical cannabis. Beyond his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Codl is now pursing his MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. In addition to practicing pharmacy and going to school, Codi also teaches paramedics and respiratory therapists about general pharmacology. Codi is a content contributor for multiple publications, a consultant to cannabis companies, and is a cannabis-science social media influencer. Additionally, Codi serves as a scientific advisor for The Cannigma-a science-forward cannabis media company. When not rambling on about cannabinoids, Codi enjoys quality time his wife and their two English bulldogs. When not at home you can usually find him at the beach, soaking up sun and catching a few waves.
Alexandra Harris
Internal Vice President
Alexandra is a dedicated cannabis activist with a background in analytical testing. She has worked at some of the most prolific cannabis testing laboratories in California, analyzing samples for cannabinoid and terpene content, as well as residual solvents.
She is dedicated to promoting evidence based education around the plant in order to better ensure safe use. She is the daughter of cannabis activists and medical patients, and uses cannabis medicinally herself for the management of chronic Lymes disease.
She now works in cancer and immunology research and credits her scientific career to the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Within the Medical Cannabis Student Association, she hopes to leverage her position as Vice President to recruit new members to the organization and produce meaningful and free education for the general public.
Leah R. Johnson
Treasurer
Dr. Leah Johnson (known in the industry an "Dr. Leah") is a trained Medical Cannabis Consultant Pharmacist and the owner and founder of Alchemist Consulting. She is also an accomplished, highly driven Clinical Integrative Healthcare Pharmacist, with primary focus in pain, mental health (depression, anxiety, Insomnia, etc.) and sexual health medication management. She also holds 3 patents (under the name: Leah Haibi) for natural herbal remedy tinctures, which she helped develop as the Head of Research & Development for an herbal supplement company.
Dr. Leah holds a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and she will be receiving her Masters degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics in 2023.
Whitney Bania
Director of Communications/University Relations
Whitney Bania speaks the languages of both the health and wellness worlds with a heavy accent in employer branding and organizational messaging. As a key driver of crisis and strategic communications for the fourth largest health system in Montana, she has been compelled to deepen her knowledge around healthcare and become part of its evolution. Whitney has measured impact in both corporate and high-growth startup environments and in influencing all aspects of business operations. From
2008-2018, she established and grew multiple health and wellness franchises within a highly competitive Southern California market, cultivating longstanding client relationships and leading a high-growth business to profitability during economic downturn. Whitney views medical cannabis as a frontier of wellness and a space where the worlds of wellness and healthcare overlap, and her work in the MS of Masters and Therapeutics program serves to amplify her contributions to both the health and wellness communities.
Shakyrah Eason
Director of Communications/University Relations
Shakyrah Eason received her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Bowie State University in May of 2019. After graduation Shakyrah worked with a nonprofit as a marketing associate before being laid off due to COVID. As she struggled with chronic pain, post-partum depression and anxiety Shakyrah decided to apply for a medical cannabis card. Whilst navigating the medical cannabis industry Shakyrah realized numerous problems that patients encountered when trying to find the best medication for them. This inspired Shakyrah to make a career change and apply to the University of Maryland's Medical Cannabis & Therapeutics Masters program in hopes of transforming how the cannabis industry prescribes medical cannabis to patients Shakyrah is the owner of Pride & Joy, a precision medicine and genetic nursery startup, that conducts cannabis research and development. In addition to being a business owner, Shakyrah is a full-time mom for her one-year-old son, Ace. In her free time Shakyrah enjoys practicing yoga and wine tasting.
Alexandra Harris
Internal Vice President
Alex Leonardos is the founder and CEO of Fenix Featirs, a consulting agency dedicated to functional cannabis education, advocacy, and coaching. Alex founded Fenix Feathers to crush glaring information gaps existing between cannabis and hemp consumers, doctors, scientists and brands, Fenix Feathers delivers packages for companies and individuals including plant biology, dosing protocols, pharmacology, harm reduction, and conscious consumer/seller dynamics with a strong focus on health equity within the cannabis Industry. Fenix Feathers is passionate about the demystification and destigmatization of cannabis, guiding clients through focused education, fearless pursuit of change, and appropriate self-care directed at toning the Endocannabinoidome. Before joining the MCST program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Mx. Leonardos completed a BS at DePaul University in finance and economics, and spent 204 years in hospitality, concentrating on consumer-focused branding and creating James Beard and Michelin-star rated cocktail programs around the country. Alex is an active member of the Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine, Healer Certified Functional Cannabis Advisor, Oaksterdam University graduate, Professional Interpener, and certified Functional Cannabis Coach by the Cannabis Coaching Institute, the only cannabis coaching organization to be an approved CE Provider of the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching. Between advocacy and education projects, you can catch Alex enjoying a motorcycle ride, enjoying all things science fiction, diving into ancient Greek and Nordic texts, or hanging out with Harley, their Mexican Street Doodle.
Scott Steiner
Director of Advocacy
Scott Steiner is a professional in the California cannabis industry. Getting his start on day one of legalization in California of January 2018. Scott spearheaded one of the first cannabis lounges in the San Francisco cannabis market and had the opportunity to work with many of the pioneers of medical cannabis and the modern cannabis industry.
Scott has years of cross-functional experience in the California cannabis industry and has worked in: cannabis consulting, brand ambassadorships, marketing, and sales. He is currently working on a podcast,
and YouTube channel called Project Stash Masters
that is set to release in September of 2021. Scott has a wealth of knowledge in the industry, constantly sharing information on the advancements of research and development in the cannabis-space, the science of cannabis as medicine, and effective use cannabinoid therapy. Please check out his Instagram page @projectstashmasters for more information.
Sheridan Doan
Director of Research
Sheridan Doan received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Juniata College in 2016 and his Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022. Currently a Laboratory Supervisor at Curaleaf, he has developed cannabis extraction, winterization, and distillation skills, as well as led research and development of terpene extractions. In addition, Sheridan reviews extraction-based articles for The Cannilma. It is his hope to spread education and increase awareness about the overall benefits of cannabis.
Jaclyn Gray
Director of Education
Jaclyn received her MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration in 2019 from Notre Dame of Maryland University. With an extensive background in many nursing fields and 20 years of experience, she pursued an interest in medical cannabis to help patients with its beneficial impacts. Jaclyn has acted as nurse leader and educator via numerous educational programs and platforms throughout her career. Her role as Project Lead for a multi-state demonstration in the federal government has provided Jaclyn with experience in policy, research, and program development. She is passionate about cannabis education and providing knowledge within her local community. Jaclyn enjoys volunteering at a local hemp farm in Maryland to get hands-on experience in the cultivation and extraction process. Currently, Jaclyn is transitioning into a career as clinical director under the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. When not working hard to advance her career, Jaclyn enjoys spending time with her three kiddos. In her free time you will find her hiking, meditating, traveling, and being creative.
Raven Ariola
Director of Education
Raven is the son of a Filipino immigrant, and a first generation college student, receiving his bachelor's degree in Biology from Alderson-Broaddus University. This solidified his passion for herbal remedies and for achieving wellness and unlocking the full potential of the medicines provided by nature as he entered the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. It was at this time Raven earned his position as the Co-Director of Education in the Medical Cannabis Student Association, where he saw the results of bringing effective education and collaboration into a rapidly growing industry.
"We are all very blessed with this opportunity to study a plant that means so much to us, everything we do must be done with insurmountable emphasis on compassion, education, integrity, and advocacy - this is how we will foster the cannabis industry we want to see."
Shanetha Marable
Director of Marketing
Shanetha Marable is both the Director of Marketing as well as the Chair of Advocacy Events for MCSA. She is a proud Army veteran that served in the war in Iraq and during the war in Afghanistan, in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During her enlistment, she received several awards and accommodations for meritorious service. After her time in the service, she earned an Associate of Arts from Pierce College in Washington State, graduating with honors. She then subsequently went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University in International Studies with an area of concentration in International Business and area of emphasis in Latin America, with a Spanish Minor, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
She began working in the medical cannabis industry approximately 6 years ago when she was first employed as a patient consultant at a medical cannabis dispensary and a patient-to-patient medical cannabis market. The time she spent working solely with cannabis patients catapulted her growing interest in cannabis science and therapeutic applications, this ongoing passion led her to apply to the program. Shanetha has recently been nominated to the Rho Chi International Honor Society for her outstanding scholastic achievements in the MCST program. She has a passion for and plans to use what she has learned here at UMD to continue working with and helping Veteran's suffering from PTSD as well as patients struggling with the disease of addiction. Her future plans are to continue on with her cannabinoid science-based education, she intends to earn a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, and hopes to conduct research analyzing cannabinoid effects upon the brain and body.
Francisco Gleim
Director of Marketing
Francisco is a multifaceted marketing and business development professional with an astute, methodical execution in brand growth & management, product innovation, event planning, coordination & consulting, creative tasks, and interpersonal tasks. This includes advertising, web & graphic design, product & service promotion, marketing research, digital & customer marketing as well as coordinating with other company executives in creating alignment on strategy and execution plans for the last decade.
Francisco is a New Jersey native and has been an advocate on cannabis reform for over a decade and was involved during the push for recreational legalization in NJ since2018. He received his BA at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2012 and is now pursuing his Masters of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy his goal is to help educate cannabis based businesses on how to effectively market their brand and create a solid digital marketing portfolio that is positioned for success