Cannabis Medicine Pioneer Tikun Olam Makes Health Education and Advocacy A Top Priority for California Launch

ADELANTO, Calif., May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ask any parent of a child with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or cancer, and it's likely they have heard of cannabis as a highly effective treatment for managing symptoms, but have no idea how it works, how to use it, where to get it, and how to do it all legally. Tikun Olam plans to change that for millions of patients and caregivers with the announcement that it is teaming up with California's leading healthcare and cannabis advocate, Mieko Hester-Perez, as it launches its science-backed medical cannabis products in California this month. 

As the world's first and most trusted medical cannabis company, Tikun Olam brings to California years of its groundbreaking scientific research on its proprietary cannabis varietals, including the award-winning high-CBD, low-THC Avidekel™. This powerful strain demonstrates both the efficacy and safety of cannabis as a medical treatment for patients ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly. Most recently, Tikun Olam released its first major study documenting the efficacy of cannabis to treat autism symptoms, the very cause that first propelled the self-described "warrior mom" Hester-Perez into the national cannabis conversation. In the study, the majority of patients reported improvement in their symptoms with many decreasing their pharmaceutical medication in favor of cannabis treatment.

Mieko Hester-Perez shot to fame a decade ago as one of the first cannabis advocates in the national spotlight, when a 2009 segment on Good Morning America showcased her journey to treat her son Joey's autism and muscular dystrophy using a cannabis strain developed specifically for him. "The  moment the cameras turned off I knew that my life had just changed forever in ways I never anticipated," she says now. Mieko's tireless advocacy for her son extended Joey's life years beyond his doctors' expectations; he passed one year ago at the age of 19.

Mieko says that the relationship with Tikun and access to its research will give her powerful tools in her never-ending work as a cannabis and healthcare advocate in California and nationwide. 

"Ten years ago, I made an oath to autism families all across the world that Joey and I would stand for dependable cannabis research," says Hester-Perez. "It's an honor to align this oath with Tikun Olam, the global standard bearer of cannabis science. Together we will be able to provide published research regarding medical cannabis as a viable treatment option for patients and physicians worldwide."

"Tikun Olam stands alone among cannabis brands with its singular combination of proprietary genetics, unprecedented patient access, and years of scientific data backing our products," says Stephen Gardner, CMO of Tikun Olam USA. "With Mieko Hester-Perez, we are thrilled to have such a respected advocate for medical cannabis on our team as we launch in her home state of California. Her expertise and knowledge of the healthcare system will allow us to deliver our brand new California-grown and -compliant products to the patients who need it the most."

Her tireless legal advocacy work as President of CA Corporate and Attorney Services inspired Mieko to create the Unconventional Foundation for Autism, an advocacy and information resource for families, autism organizations, universities and healthcare professionals. She serves on the respective Boards of the NORML Women's Alliance; the California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center; Chalkin Social; and the E.P.I.C. Economic & Policy Impact Center; and is an Honorary Board Member (and the only non-MD) on the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Ciencia y Medicina Cannábica in Puerto Rico.

Under California law, parents of patients under the age of 18 are able to obtain a caregivers' license, allowing them to purchase cannabis for their child's medical use at any state-licensed dispensary. But there is still a long way to go in educating both parents and adult patients on their medical options as well as their legal rights when it comes to medical cannabis. Mieko is particularly enthusiastic about using Tikun Olam's research to help her clients navigate and understand medical cannabis and also assist in enacting real change in her support of pending California legislation, like Ryan's Law, which would allow for cannabis treatment in hospice care.

Tikun Olam ("repair the world" in Hebrew) is the world's leading cannabis brand and globally recognized as the pioneer of modern medical cannabis. Its products have been used since 2010 to treat over 20,000 patients for symptoms of medical conditions including cancer, PTSD, AIDS, epilepsy, Crohn's Disease/colitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, chronic pain and neuropathy. Tikun Olam operates partnerships in Israel, the US, Canada and Australia in support of its global mission to educate the world about cannabis as a scientifically proven wellness product.

Media Contact:
Brenda Loughery
[email protected]

SOURCE Tikun Olam

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