About Us

Editorial Policy &
Medical Review Board

Cannabis Dispensary is committed to providing accurate, evidence-based, and trustworthy cannabis information. This page describes our editorial team, medical review board, evidence standards, and conflict of interest policies.

Our Mission

Cannabis Dispensary exists to provide the most accurate, comprehensive, and trustworthy cannabis information available online. We believe that informed consumers make better decisions, and that access to accurate information is a public health imperative — particularly for a substance that has been surrounded by misinformation for decades.

We apply the same standards of evidence and editorial rigor to cannabis content that we would expect from any serious health and policy publication. We do not sensationalize, we do not minimize, and we do not allow commercial interests to influence our editorial decisions.

Editorial Team

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Sarah Chen

Editor-in-Chief

M.S. Public Health, University of California San Francisco; B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University

Sarah has covered cannabis policy and public health for 12 years. She previously served as a health policy analyst for the California Department of Public Health and as a senior editor at a national health publication. She has testified before state legislative committees on cannabis regulation and consumer protection.

Areas of Expertise

Cannabis PolicyPublic HealthConsumer ProtectionRegulatory Affairs

Published In

  • California Journal of Health Policy
  • Drug Policy Alliance Annual Review
  • Journal of Cannabis Research
D

Dr. Elena Rodriguez

Medical Science Editor

PharmD, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy; Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS); Clinical Pharmacist, 15 years

Dr. Rodriguez is a clinical pharmacist with 15 years of experience in patient care and drug information. She specializes in cannabis pharmacology, drug interactions, and evidence-based therapeutic applications. She has published research on cannabinoid pharmacokinetics and serves on the advisory board of two medical cannabis research organizations.

Areas of Expertise

Cannabinoid PharmacologyDrug InteractionsClinical Evidence ReviewPatient Safety

Published In

  • Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
  • Pharmacotherapy
M

Marcus Williams

Policy & Advocacy Editor

J.D., Howard University School of Law; M.P.P., Georgetown University; Former Public Defender

Marcus is a former public defender who has represented hundreds of clients in cannabis-related cases. He now focuses on cannabis policy reform, social equity, and criminal justice. He has worked with the ACLU, the Drug Policy Alliance, and multiple state-level legalization campaigns. He is a frequent speaker on cannabis law and racial equity.

Areas of Expertise

Cannabis LawCriminal Justice ReformSocial EquityLegislative Advocacy

Published In

  • Harvard Law Review
  • Drug Policy Alliance Policy Briefs
  • American Bar Association Journal
D

David Kim

Industry & Business Editor

M.B.A., Wharton School of Business; B.S. Finance, University of Michigan; Former Cannabis Industry Analyst

David spent 8 years as a financial analyst covering the cannabis industry for a major investment bank before joining Cannabis Dispensary. He has analyzed hundreds of cannabis companies, tracked market trends across all legal states, and provided expert commentary for major financial publications. He brings rigorous financial analysis to cannabis industry coverage.

Areas of Expertise

Cannabis Market AnalysisIndustry FinanceBusiness StrategyRegulatory Economics

Published In

  • Cannabis Business Times
  • MJBizDaily
  • Forbes Cannabis

Medical Review Board

All medical content on Cannabis Dispensary is reviewed by licensed healthcare professionals before publication. Our Medical Review Board consists of physicians, pharmacists, and other licensed practitioners with expertise in cannabis medicine.

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Dr. James Okafor, MD

Neurology & Pain Management

MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Fellowship in Pain Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Reviews all content related to neurological conditions, chronic pain, and opioid alternatives

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Dr. Priya Sharma, MD, MPH

Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine

MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; MPH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Reviews content on mental health conditions, addiction, PTSD, and anxiety

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Dr. Robert Chen, PharmD

Clinical Pharmacology & Drug Interactions

PharmD, University of Minnesota; Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy

Reviews drug interaction content, dosing guidance, and pharmacokinetics

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Dr. Amara Osei, MD

Oncology & Palliative Care

MD, University of Ghana Medical School; Fellowship in Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering

Reviews content on cancer-related applications, nausea management, and palliative care

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Dr. Lisa Nakamura, ND

Naturopathic Medicine & Integrative Health

ND, Bastyr University; Board Certified Naturopathic Physician

Reviews content on integrative approaches, terpenes, and holistic cannabis use

Editorial Standards

Evidence Grading System

All medical and scientific claims are graded using a four-tier evidence system: Grade A (multiple RCTs or systematic reviews), Grade B (single RCT or multiple cohort studies), Grade C (observational studies or expert consensus), Grade D (case reports or preclinical evidence only). Evidence grades are displayed prominently on all condition guides and cannabinoid profiles.

Source Requirements

Medical and scientific claims must be supported by peer-reviewed research published in indexed journals. We cite primary sources — not secondary summaries. For policy and legal content, we cite official government sources, court decisions, and legal scholarship. We do not cite industry-funded research without disclosing the funding source.

Medical Review Process

All content making medical claims is reviewed by at least one member of our Medical Review Board before publication. Reviewers assess accuracy, completeness, and appropriate caveats. Medical content is reviewed annually for currency and updated when significant new evidence emerges.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Cannabis Dispensary does not accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid placement. We do not allow cannabis companies to influence editorial content. Our editorial team discloses any financial relationships with cannabis companies. We do not accept free products for review. Our revenue comes from display advertising, which is clearly labeled and does not influence editorial decisions.

Corrections Policy

We correct factual errors promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted at the top of the affected article with the date and nature of the correction. We do not silently edit articles to remove errors. Readers can report potential errors through our contact form.

Legal Disclaimer Standards

All medical content includes a disclaimer that it is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Legal content notes that laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. We recommend consulting qualified professionals for personal medical and legal decisions.

Evidence Grading System

AStrong Evidence

Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews/meta-analyses. The highest level of clinical evidence.

BModerate Evidence

Single well-designed RCT or multiple high-quality cohort studies. Good evidence but with some limitations.

CLimited Evidence

Observational studies, expert consensus, or limited clinical trials. Promising but not conclusive.

DPreliminary Evidence

Case reports, preclinical (animal/cell) studies only, or anecdotal evidence. Interesting but requires human clinical validation.

Contact the Editorial Team

To report a factual error, suggest a correction, propose a topic, or inquire about our editorial policies, please contact us through our contact page. We respond to all editorial inquiries within 48 hours.