Dr. June Chin, DO, has been a national leader in integrative medicine for over 20 years. Through her work, she has created medical cannabis protocols for the industry and internationally accepted methods for cannabinoid formulations, research, education, and training programs. She is currently chief medical officer at Leafwell, a professor at New York University and Syracuse University, and is vice chair of the Cannabis Advisory Board for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. She is the author of Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness. (Adv Mind Body Med. 2025; [E-pub ahead of print.])
Sheldon Baker is an InnoVision contributing editor. His freelance editorial content can also be found in several lifestyle publications, and as CEO of Baker Dillon Group LLC, he has created numerous brand marketing communications and public relations campaigns for health and wellness organizations. Contact him at Sheldon@NutraInk.com.
Advances in Mind-Body Medince (Advances): Please describe your role as chief medical officer (CMO) at Leafwell.
Dr. June Chin, DO: As chief medical officer at Leafwell, I lead efforts to integrate cannabis into mainstream healthcare through a research-driven approach. Our mission is to not only expand access to cannabis but to ensure it is provided through safe, evidence-based practices that enhance patient well-being.
Leafwell’s integrative care model focuses on addressing the full spectrum of patient needs, blending cannabis therapies with conventional medicine, lifestyle changes, and nutritional guidance. Our research supports these treatments, exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis for conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and neurological disorders, helping to destigmatize its use and validate its role in modern medicine. Our goal is to restore hope, alleviate suffering, and empower patients to take control of their health journeys through personalized treatment plans.
Moreover, Leafwell’s telehealth services are designed to reach medically underserved areas, democratizing healthcare access and addressing socioeconomic disparities that persist in healthcare, including access to medical cannabis. By leveraging telemedicine, we bridge gaps for patients in rural or disadvantaged communities, ensuring that high-quality, affordable care is accessible to all, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic barriers. This approach helps ensure that the benefits of cannabis as a therapeutic option are available to everyone, contributing to a more equitable healthcare system.
Advances: You have been active in integrative medicine for over 20 years. How long have you been a cannabis health advocate?
Dr. Chin: My journey as a cannabis health advocate began over 20 years ago, rooted in my personal experience as a chronic pain survivor and my professional commitment to equitable healthcare. Throughout this journey, I’ve witnessed how education, research, and access can transform lives.
Advances: How is Leafwell serving nationwide patients with so many different state laws regulating cannabis use?
Dr. Chin: Leafwell serves patients nationwide by working within each state’s regulatory framework, ensuring compliance while prioritizing access to safe, evidence-based cannabis care. With a presence across 37 states, we break down barriers to care by tailoring our services to each patient’s needs. Our collaborative care network connects specialists such as oncologists, gynecologists, and general surgeons to ensure patients receive the expert care they deserve. We also work closely with patients’ local doctors, providing comprehensive, 360-degree care. This approach empowers patients with the knowledge and resources to take control of their health, not just expanding services but fostering true collaboration.
Cannabis for neuropathy pain?
Advances: There are various attitudes towards the prescription of medical cannabis among many physicians. Some physicians argue that cannabis is a social and criminal matter and does not fall under the professional domain of medicine. Your thoughts?
Dr. Chin: The view that cannabis is solely a social or criminal issue, rather than a legitimate medical treatment, often stems from long-standing stigma and a lack of comprehensive education on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This perception overlooks decades of emerging research that highlights cannabis’s potential in managing chronic pain, neurological disorders, cancer-related symptoms, and more. As an integrative physician with over two decades of experience, I have seen firsthand how cannabis can transform the lives of patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options.
The reluctance among some physicians is understandable given the historical context, but it is crucial to shift the focus toward evidence-based practices. Research is key to dismantling outdated norms and guiding us toward safe, effective, and compassionate care. Cannabis is not merely a symptom management tool; it offers patients a sense of hope and autonomy, particularly those who feel limited by their conditions or who struggle with side effects from traditional medications.
A possible solution to bridge this divide is to foster a collaborative approach between cannabis-knowledgeable specialists and hesitant physicians. By creating a framework of education and dialogue, we can help demystify cannabis and allow physicians to see its potential through a clinical lens. This includes integrating cannabis into continuing medical education programs, providing access to the latest research, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between medical cannabis experts and physicians across specialties.
Ultimately, it’s about equipping doctors with the knowledge and confidence to offer cannabis as a legitimate treatment option. By reducing stigma and increasing education, we can ensure that patients receive the comprehensive, compassionate care they deserve, with cannabis as one tool among many in a physician’s arsenal for promoting health and well-being.
Impacting the endocannabinoid system
Advances: Is cannabis good for the body?
Dr. Chin: Yes, cannabis can be incredibly beneficial for the body, particularly when used responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare provider. One of the most significant ways cannabis supports health is through its anti-inflammatory properties, which are crucial because inflammation is the root cause of many chronic diseases, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Cannabis, particularly its cannabinoids like THC and CBD, interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a key role in regulating immune response and inflammation. By modulating this system, cannabis can help reduce excessive inflammation, alleviating symptoms like pain and swelling. This makes it an effective treatment option for conditions such as chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even migraines. The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis can also contribute to reducing the progression of inflammatory diseases, offering not just symptom relief but potentially slowing disease progression.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis is a powerful pain reliever. Unlike opioids, which come with a high risk of addiction and adverse side effects, cannabis offers a safer alternative for long-term pain management. Its ability to interact with pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord helps reduce pain signals, offering relief to those suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain, and neuropathic pain.
Beyond physical relief, cannabis has the potential to improve the overall quality of life. It can help reduce stress, promote better sleep, and alleviate anxiety, all of which can contribute to a better mental and emotional state, particularly for patients dealing with chronic illnesses.
In summary, cannabis has profound therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. Addressing the root cause of many diseases—inflammation— not only manages symptoms but may also contribute to improved long-term health outcomes. As research continues, cannabis’s role in promoting health and wellness will likely become an even more integral part of modern medicine.
Advances: What are the true pros and cons of cannabis? Specifically, how it can support those in treatment and recovery from breast cancer.
Dr. Chin: Cannabis can be a valuable tool for breast cancer patients, helping manage symptoms like pain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, which are common during treatment. Its pain-relieving properties and ability to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea can significantly improve quality of life. Cannabis also stimulates appetite and supports better sleep, aiding both physical and mental recovery.
However, potential risks include cognitive impairment, interactions with prescription medications (like chemotherapy drugs), and, in some cases, psychoactive effects such as anxiety or paranoia. It’s essential for patients to consult their healthcare providers to ensure safe use and avoid any negative interactions with their treatment.
In summary, cannabis offers significant symptom relief and improved well-being for breast cancer patients, but it must be used cautiously, with proper medical guidance, to avoid side effects and interactions.
Advances: Covid-19 continues to be present in society and affects a large number of people. Do people using cannabis have a better outcome after contracting the virus?
Dr. Chin: Cannabis may offer potential relief for individuals experiencing long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, inflammation, pain, low mood, and insomnia, thanks to its diverse therapeutic properties. Although the relationship between cannabis use and COVID-19 outcomes is still being studied, cannabinoids, specifically THC and CBD, have known effects that may help address these lingering symptoms. While cannabis shows potential in managing long COVID symptoms, its role in directly improving COVID-19 outcomes remains under investigation. Some studies suggest that cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects may offer benefits in reducing severe inflammation, such as cytokine storms associated with COVID-19. However, more clinical data is needed to fully understand how cannabis impacts the progression of the virus or its long-term effects.
Cannabis has the potential to be a supportive treatment for long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, inflammation, pain, low mood, and insomnia. Its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and mood-regulating properties can enhance the quality of life for those dealing with post-COVID conditions. However, as always, cannabis use should be part of a patient-centered treatment plan, guided by a healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness. Further research is needed to fully understand its impact on COVID-19 outcomes, but cannabis remains a promising tool for symptom management in recovery.
Future health benefits from cannabis
Advances: In all of your cannabis research, has anything surprised you about its health uses?
Dr. Chin: In my research, what continues to surprise me about cannabis is its vast, often untapped potential to treat a wide range of conditions. Cannabis has proven to be a multi-faceted tool, providing relief from chronic pain to neurological disorders, and challenging outdated medical norms. It reinforces why rigorous research, education, and access are crucial to fully unlocking its therapeutic value.
At Leafwell, we conducted a study to explore how medical cannabis affects healthcare usage. The findings were both revealing and significant. By comparing over 15 000 patients, those who had been using cannabis for at least a year against new users who had never tried it before, we saw remarkable trends. Patients using medical cannabis reported needing less medical care overall, with 40% fewer emergency room visits, 50% fewer hospital admissions, and 48% fewer doctor visits compared to new users.
For patients facing serious conditions like cancer, the results were even more compelling. There was an 84% reduction in emergency room visits and 85% fewer hospital admissions. Chronic pain sufferers, PTSD patients, and those with anxiety also experienced fewer urgent care visits and less reliance on traditional doctor consultations.
One story that really drives home the power of cannabis is that of Mark Lopez, a 42-year-old battling multiple sclerosis (MS). Mark was overwhelmed by his condition, both physically and financially. His medications cost over $90 000 a year, and despite insurance, his out-of-pocket expenses reached as high as $6000 a month. He was living in a constant state of survival, until cannabis entered the picture.
When Mark incorporated cannabis into his treatment plan, his monthly medication costs plummeted from $1500 to as low as $100. Not only did this provide financial relief, but cannabis helped manage his pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety, significantly improving his quality of life. Mark’s story isn’t an isolated case. Our research showed that MS patients using cannabis saved between $4500 and $8000 annually. But more importantly, it gave Mark control over his health and his future.
This is the true potential of cannabis, and it’s not just about treating symptoms. It’s about offering patients autonomy, hope, and the ability to regain control of their lives. The more we learn, the more we can provide real, effective options for patients like Mark, empowering them to navigate their health journeys with dignity and confidence.
Our research at Leafwell not only highlights the health benefits of medical cannabis but also underscores its potential to reduce healthcare utilization costs, a critical issue for both patients and the healthcare system at large. By lowering the need for doctor visits, emergency room trips, and hospital admissions, cannabis offers a cost-effective alternative for managing chronic conditions, which translates into significant savings for patients and insurers alike.
This is particularly relevant for employee benefit plans. Through our partnership with Meritain Aetna, we’ve integrated cannabis care into employee health plans, allowing patients to access cannabis-knowledgeable specialists as part of their existing benefits. By providing this option, employers can help reduce the financial strain on their workforce, as employees may experience fewer medical visits, fewer sick days, and better overall health outcomes. It’s a win-win: patients receive more holistic care while employers and insurers see reduced costs associated with chronic illness management.
Ultimately, incorporating cannabis into employee benefit plans is not just about expanding access, it’s about creating a healthcare model that is cost-efficient, sustainable, and truly patient-centered. The reduced healthcare utilization we’ve observed reinforces the value of medical cannabis in offering both physical relief and financial savings, helping individuals like Mark Lopez regain control over their health and well-being while contributing to a more balanced healthcare ecosystem.
Advances: Do you work with other health professionals to counsel their patients?
Dr. Chin: Absolutely. Collaboration is at the heart of my work, both as vice chair of the Cannabis Advisory Board for NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and Leafwell CMO. We regularly partner with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care that’s grounded in research and evidence-based practices. Through initiatives with other health professionals, we’ve improved health literacy and access to cannabis medicine in underserved communities, empowering individuals to take control of their health.
Advances: New York State and the City of New York in particular have had their share of problems regarding cannabis dispensary issues. As vice chair of the Cannabis Advisory Board for the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, what is being done to correct such irregularities?
Dr. Chin: As vice chair, I’m committed to addressing the challenges the state and the City of New York have faced with cannabis dispensary issues, especially regarding equitable access and industry regulation. Our focus is on creating evidence-based policies that not only promote industry safety and patient access but also ensure fairness across all communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition.
One of the key initiatives we are working on is expanding access through the Community Reinvestment Grant Program, which directly benefits communities harmed by past drug policies. These grants focus on reinvesting in social services, job training, and educational programs to empower local communities and promote economic growth. Ensuring that individuals from these communities have opportunities in the cannabis industry, from licensing to ownership, is a central part of correcting past injustices.
By leveraging research and data, we are implementing policies that ensure cannabis is used responsibly and effectively as part of public health initiatives. We aim to foster a safer, more regulated industry that is grounded in science, providing compassionate care and reducing barriers to access. This approach prioritizes patient safety, equitable economic development, and a commitment to health equity.
In collaboration with the OCM, we are also focusing on educating dispensaries and the public about the importance of compliance and best practices, helping businesses navigate regulatory frameworks while prioritizing community well-being. By supporting evidence-based policies, we are creating a cannabis industry that is transparent, fair, and sustainable for all New Yorkers, while addressing the irregularities that have previously hindered the growth of a responsible market.
Our ultimate goal is to make New York’s cannabis industry a model for other states by ensuring it is inclusive, safe, and driven by research, all while delivering tangible benefits to the communities that need it most.
Advances: What have I missed asking or would you like to add?
Dr. Chin: Recently, we partnered with Meritain Aetna to integrate cannabis care into employee benefit plans, giving employees access to cannabis-knowledgeable specialists without added financial burden. This partnership is a key step in recognizing cannabis as a legitimate medical option alongside conventional treatments, offering patients holistic care that emphasizes prevention, education, and long-term health.
Through this partnership we’ve integrated cannabis care into employee health plans, allowing patients to access cannabis-knowledgeable specialists as part of their existing benefits. By providing this option, employers can help reduce the financial strain on their workforce, as employees may experience fewer medical visits, fewer sick days, and better overall health outcomes. It’s a win-win: patients receive more holistic care while employers and insurers see reduced costs associated with chronic illness management.
Also, I would like to emphasize that we are at a pivotal moment in medicine, where research isn’t just a tool but the engine that drives us forward. Our work in the cannabis field is about more than expanding access, it’s about justice, equity, and compassion. By prioritizing education, research, and access, we have the opportunity to offer real, life-changing solutions to those in need. Together, we can challenge outdated norms and ensure that every patient who can benefit from cannabis has that chance.
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