Dr. K Becomes Austin’s First Female, Black-Owned Cannabusiness: Diversifying the industry’s green rush – Food
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Dr. Kirsten Shepard (Photo by Matthew Bradford)
When her father was diagnosed with mesothelioma, Dr. Kirsten Shepard, a licensed chiropractor and massage therapist, explores alternatives to the opioids that have been prescribed for him. “I was looking for whatever, anything that would help with his nausea, lack of appetite, and the pain it caused. I knew about cannabis – I spent three years in LA before returning to Austin in 2008 – but I was … very naive. I thought everyone was like Snoop Dogg – they just wanted a legal way to smoke, you know? I didn’t think about compassionate consumption until I had to think about it. “
Shepard, also known as Dr. K., is the founder and CEO of TrueStopper, one of Austin’s first black-owned female cannabis companies. She is not only committed to more opportunities for women and BIPOC founders and more market transparency, but has also developed a range of regenerative hemp-based products that are “triple tested by ISO-certified laboratories”. All TrueStopper offerings – including ointments, roll-ons, oils, broad-spectrum CBN and CBG tinctures, bath bombs, tranquilizers and focus tablets, chewing gums and dog chews – have a verified certificate of analysis, are non-toxic, and contain 0-0.3% THC.
“TrueStopper is one of only 4% of cannabis companies owned by African Americans. A green wave is on the horizon, but it is time to change the narrative so that women and BIPOC founders are not left behind, ”said Dr. K “And while the CBD industry is currently experiencing exponential growth, it is not without its challenges. In addition to increasing diversity, we need to advocate for clearer regulations to ensure that the opaque CBD market is not tarnished by vendors that are high Overlooked quality and purity as the product standard. “
Since she was already part of the “holistic realm” she targeted therapeutic topical uses because “the skin is the largest organ” and her father didn’t want to get “high” so she focused on non-psychoactive cannabis derivatives like Use CBD (and other) cannabinoids) as a complementary therapy. She added, “Pharmaceuticals, there’s a place for them, but there’s also a place to try natural things first, and I’m looking forward to the day our country has federal regulations that allow people to do it Using plants as medicine as needed, unlike all the other red tape we have right now. “
“I’m looking forward to the day our country has federal regulations that will allow people to use plants as medicine as needed, as opposed to all of the bureaucracy we currently have.” – Dr. Kirsten Shepard, Founder / CEO TrueStoppers
TrueStopper’s Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Function, and Performance Restoration protocols have been used primarily by seniors and veterans for the relief of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, as well as by athletes focused on injury prevention and recovery. Dr. K. made explicit reference to the ongoing opioid crisis and said she hopes to educate people whether or not they buy their products. “What do you see when you turn on the TV in the US? You see ads for pharmaceuticals, ads for fast food and liquor. We get bombarded with them every day. If you go to Europe, you are You don’t see that. You see lifestyle and travel, you see fashion and I think it speaks so clearly of what the focus is in this country. It’s health care, it’s not health care, and I think it really needs to change. “
“If our job as healthcare providers is to ‘do no harm’ first, then that’s exactly what we should be doing.”
As an active member of organizations such as Texas NORML, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the American Chiropractic Association, Dr. K. to advocate for pure products, free of pesticides and supported by product insurance and analysis certifications is crucial in order to move forward as diversification.
Although cannabis reform bills have been circulated across the country over the past decade, prejudice still perpetuates misinformation, resulting in disproportionately high incarceration rates and low commutation rates for blacks and browns, seniors and veterans. Additionally, those who benefit from what is known as the Green Rush are not the same demographic as those penalized for cannabis use, including those seeking cannabis alternatives to opioids for their chronic illnesses. “[It’s] keeping the same cycle of inequality going and it’s so daunting. One thing that gives me hope now in legislation is that there is bipartisan support with these 27 proposed bills – and that’s Texas! “(See this week’s issue for cannabis updates from Texas Lege.)
“We want to provide everyone with the kind of full body grooming that athletes and celebrities get,” she added.
Dr. K will also soon launch a line of CBD-infused biscuits, made in partnership with Austin-based GoodenSweet. “Sean Gooden is a local ‘cookie preneur’ and his cookies are delicious. It’s great to work with another local Black owned company. [He’s been called] “The black belt baker” [because] Not only does he have this amazing line of biscuits, he also teaches kung fu, tai chi, and meditation. By combining my knowledge and intention with his knowledge and intention and these delicious cookies and our CBD products, we are really looking forward to officially launching our new product. “
TrueStopper is available online at truestoppercbd.com and at several chiropractic practices including Dr. Roland Robinson from Atlas Holistic Wellness. GoodenSweet is on goodensweetcookies.com.
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