Colleen Higgins, R.Ph. is a graduate of the University of Connecticut Pharmacy School, is certified in diabetes education (CDE) and medication management (MTM), and has worked in pharmaceutical and cannabis distribution for over 25 years. She is an author, speaker, and consultant who can be reached through her website: www.swayinnovations.com
Colleen Higgins, a pharmacist, has written the ideal book for people-and I suspect there are huge numbers-who would like to avoid all pharmaceutical medications if they could. She created such a comprehensive work. It is a total pleasure to read. She has done all her homework for this book apart from the knowledge of her first hand experience with medical marijuana. In four sections and twenty chapters she goes through the history of human experience with cannabis, the politics of it becoming illegal, it's relationship with big pharma, explaining the biochemistry and the different strains, the proper usage of it and then all the ailments it may be used to treat including: chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, side effects of chemotherapy and AIDS, MS, Alzheimer's, glaucoma, Lyme disease, epilepsy, sleep disorders, prostate issues, anxiety and depression. Higgins speaks in a no-nonsense, straight forward, informative way about this vast subject and leaves you thoroughly informed and comforted by the possibility of a real alternative to the way things are usually done. She has done an astounding job providing information and guidance about the healing potential of cannabis. Fredric C. Hartman, Ph.D. I've owned a yoga studio for over 15 years and work with folks who are dealing with both chronic pain and high stress. The yoga practice helps them to reconnect their brains with their bodies through breath and movement, helping to heal both physical and emotional trauma held in our bodies. This holistic approach to healing is truly foreign to people who have always depended on advice from western doctors, who tend to focus more on pathology vs. what is happening with the whole person. We work to empower our students to be more active participants in their own healing...not simply to rely on a prescriptions or pharmaceuticals to make things better. As someone who has become familiar with using cannabis (in all its forms) for both pain and stress relief, this book was a welcome addition to my studio library! In addition to its effects on the body, I think that finding the correct personal Cannabis Prescription for you can accelerate healing without the harmful and addictive side-effects that come with using pharmaceuticals. No longer does one have to use the trial and error approach to incorporating cannabis into your healing regiment. Ms. Higgins has the experience, patience, and expertise to explain complex drug reactions and has taken the guesswork out of relieving symptoms using cannabis. I particularly enjoyed her anecdotal stories about the clients she encountered while working at the dispensary. I will admit that some of the scientific drug interaction bits went over my head but it's great for me to have when talking to students who are looking for another way to stop chronic pain. If you are looking for a more natural and holistic way to deal with physical (and emotional) pain, I would definitely recommend checking out this highly informative and easy to read manual. Andrea Stern, Satori Yogi Studio