We work hard every day to advocate for our patients. You’re at the heart of everything we do at Alternaleaf. So, meet Dan.
Hey! I’m Dan, Alternaleaf’s new Public Education Lead.
As the title suggests, my job is to help educate, support and advocate on all matters relating to medical cannabis. The end goal is to ultimately have a stigma free country for all our patients to thrive in. In the future, it’s genuinely my hope that a role like mine is no longer required.
Given that this is such a unique position, you might be wondering what my background is and what experience I have to help make this happen?
Firstly, and most importantly, I’m a medical cannabis patient. I feel that gives me a great deal of understanding , but also it really allows me to use patient voices to impact ideas and feedback on how we do things here at Alternaleaf. But more on that later…
After leaving school, I started a full time role as a Police Cadet. During my 2 years there, I had attachments at various units including the Drug Squad and Roads Policing Intelligence Unit. After that, I progressed on to become a Police Officer and did that for a further 2 years before moving to the Oil & Gas industry.
During my 15 years in Oil & Gas, I worked in a variety of roles from storeperson, all the way up to managing director, which taught me a lot about being an employee as well as an employer. And then I joined Alternaleaf.
Now, I know what you’re thinking… Managing Director in the Oil & Gas industry to Public Education Lead in Medical Cannabis… How? Well let me tell you…
In 2016 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. What would follow in the years to come was a series of immunosuppressive drugs, opiate based painkillers, various operations and a bunch of flares. One of my main bug bears was the dihydrocodeine medication that I was prescribed in boxes of 100. These made me spaced out and unable to function. On top of that, they would slow my bowel, which is a nightmare for anyone with Crohn’s. I ended up yo-yoing with the dihydrocodeine, taking it for 3 days and stopping for 3 days. Dipping in and out of painful cramps drained me mentally. I was sick of it.
Everything changed in 2024 when I discovered medical cannabis. But sadly, new difficulties arose. There’s a stigma around medical cannabis. And I began to see a side to people, institutions and professionals that I felt uncomfortable with.
On one occasion, I had a pre-assessment for surgery. During the consultation with a surgeon, I asked about the post surgery recovery, and when I could use my vape again. The response I got was 2 months. With surprise, I queried the length, and advised the implications of that with my Crohn’s. The surgeon went on to advise me not to use my vaporiser because of the “chemicals”, not realising it was my prescribed medication. I then also queried if I'd have to stop using medical cannabis prior to the anaesthetic. I was told no, which was conflicting information to prior surgeries. I ended up not proceeding with the operation.
On a second occasion, my daughter was in Primary 7. I had already educated her on my medical cannabis and explained it in relation to my Crohn’s. During drugs education at school, my daughter was taught by a teacher that cannabis was completely illegal. My daughter tried to correct the teacher and told her that it was legal on prescription. She was rebuffed and the teacher ended up calling me. During that phone call it was evident that the curriculum was outdated and the educators had not been educated. The teacher advised me on the phone that they didn’t know about it, and that it was difficult to teach. This could have led to significant confusion with my daughter and disruption to our family. Thankfully it didn’t, but the risks that imposes are severe.
With that, a fire was lit. A determination so strong. But where to start? That was my question!
I went to TikTok. I launched my own social media channel, educating and advocating about all things medical cannabis. I broadened my knowledge base, started consuming industry news, connected with industry professionals and taught myself everything about cannabis.
Alternleaf UK saw me on Tiktok. They asked me to take part in a filming day for a testimonial video. I loved it! Following that, I was swiftly invited to Parliament to take part in a round table discussion on chronic pain. A real medical cannabis patient having direct input in parliament… WOW! This is what I want to do!
3 months later, I was in this role, doing the very thing I dreamed about doing just 6 months prior! Leading public education efforts from a patient's perspective.
Now my focus is you! Alternaleaf has heard my voice… plenty of it. Now I want to make sure they hear yours. My story is not unique. I know there are patients out there experiencing this every single day. It’s my mission and passion to make sure that ends.
But I need your help. Using your stories, your experiences, I can begin to target and tailor our education towards problem areas. Your feedback will help shape our services and offerings, to make sure Alternaleaf is always patient centred. Real patient voices being projected at the heart of every decision.
Email me at patientvoices@montu.uk. Together we can help end this stigma!
Remember… Get Vocal. Get Heard. Get Educating.
Dan, Public Education Lead
Alternaleaf UK: Patient led education, for a patient friendly future.