Josephine Cannella-Krehl, currently assists patients in navigating the often confusing “waters” of Florida’s medical cannabis program and offers them supportive services. She offers individualized education sessions, facilitates a monthly medical cannabis support group as well as travels across the State educating Healthcare Professionals and Government Officials on the benefits of cannabis as a therapeutic agent and on how Florida’s program operates. She also provides guidance to physicians who want to learn more about cannabis therapeutics including information on how become an qualified cannabis provider in Florida.
A graduate of S.U.N.Y. StonyBrook with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology in 1988 and of Florida State University with a Master of Social Work Degree in 1990, Josephine began her career as an outpatient therapist working with individuals negatively impacted by substance dependence and misuse. She has worked with a variety of populations, most notably in the field of hospice with terminally ill patients/families and as a bereavement therapist with young children, adolescents and adults.
When her father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, she began to research cannabis as an alternative to traditional cancer treatments. Working as a hospice medical Social Worker, she began to wonder if terminally ill people were secretly using cannabis for symptom control. As she began to realize that patients and their families were having to risk arrest in order to access a plant that was providing them relief at their most vulnerable time, she felt a call to action and began advocating for cannabis policy reform at the Florida State Capitol and in Washington D.C.
Josephine serves on Florida Cannabis Action Network’s Legislative Leadership team and as “Cannabis Advocate and Educator” for Families for Sensible Drug Policy. She is a strong proponent of Harm Reduction Strategies and believes cannabis can serve as an “exit ramp” for individuals who struggle with drug dependency and abuse.
She was instrumental in the passage of Florida’s “Medical Use of Cannabis Act”. She has testified at the Florida Dept. of Health Rule Development Workshops, in both Senate and House Committee meetings and has attended meetings with Legislators and Staff educating on cannabis therapeutics. In 2017, she served as the Director of Community Outreach for one of Florida’s largest medical cannabis physician groups. In 2018, she was appointed to the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program Advisory Board, where she will play an integral role in establishing Florida’s Industrial Hemp Industry.
She’s been outspoken on the importance of producing medical cannabis products that are free from harmful pesticides and contaminants, the importance of including the “cannabis conversation” in formulating “advanced care directives” and end of life planning. She also advocates for the dignity, honor and informed decision making of patients.
She strongly believes that cannabis should be offered as a first course option and not just as a last resort and that nobody should be made a criminal for using a plant that has been shown to be safe, effective and beneficial!
