Asking the industry: Q&A with Sarah McChesney Director of Marketing at BeLeaf Medical
BeLeaf Medical is home to some of the most recognizable brands and products in Missouri: SWADE Cannabis, Sinse, Phytos, Zoet, Mohi, and more. As such, in many ways it would be a dream job for many in the cannabis industry. For Sarah McChesney, it’s a new home.
Greenway recently spoke to McChesney to learn about the person behind the public face of some of the biggest brands in an emerging cannabis industry.
Can you give me a bit of background on you as a person, outside of cannabis?
Outside of cannabis, I’m not nearly as exciting! When I’m not working, you’ll find me curled up with a good book, planning my next trip, or hanging with friends and family. My husband and I met in Dallas, TX where we bonded over our mutual love of intermural kickball. Over a decade later, he’s very much my partner in crime, willing to take the road less traveled with me. We’re really excited to see what adventures Missouri has in store for us.
From a career and life perspective, how did you find cannabis?
Cannabis and plant-based medicine has been an interest of mine for many years. I grew up in CO and followed the states’ path to legalization from afar, constantly keeping my eye on the industry and educating myself at every turn. When I got the opportunity to join my first vertically integrated cannabis company in New Mexico, I jumped at the chance. While there have been many ups and downs along the way, this has been the most rewarding industry I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of.
Where does your passion for cannabis come from?
Personally, I’ve seen first-hand the incredible effects cannabis and plant-based therapies can provide. Seeing not only those I love, but myself, find relief from pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, etc through cannabis, when nothing else worked, really opened my eyes to cannabis in a way I never anticipated.
It was only after doing my own research that I realized how little and how biased the information I’d been given about cannabis really was. There’s a mountain of stigma that still exists around cannabis and this industry. I want to help bring down those walls and let people know they have options when it comes to their health and wellbeing.
Cannabis isn’t for everyone, but I very much believe having access to quality cannabis products and education should be a right for all and education is a top focus for us.
In your experience, what makes this industry unique?
The cannabis industry is still in its infancy, yet the impact it will have on our economy and our communities is limitless. It’s an industry that will no doubt shape the future of my generation and generations to come. Because of this, the people who work in this industry are some of the most passionate, dedicated people you’ll ever meet. They’re not working in cannabis because they have to, they genuinely want to be here – to educate and assist. That’s not something you see very often, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of what I consider to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help shape the future of the industry, even if just in a small way.
You’ve landed at a company that houses great brands, great facilities, and great people – what are you most excited about with BeLeaf Medical?
The people at BeLeaf Medical and the team BeLeaf is building were the greatest draw for me. You have to be able to constantly adapt and change in cannabis, what works today may not work tomorrow and to be successful, you always have to be ready to pivot.
I feel BeLeaf Medical has the ability and leadership to be incredibly successful and I’m honored to be part of a team that I believe is 100% committed to its people and the patients it serves. They want the patient experience to be top-notch. Every time. And we know that our people can’t be there for others if they aren’t taken care of, so BeLeaf Medical has industry-leading pay, benefits, and an environment that encourages wellness and self-care.
What makes BeLeaf Medical brands so marketable or special?
Similar to the previous question, it’s BeLeaf’s ability to pivot that makes it special. We know that we must listen to our patients, adapt to constantly changing environments and realize that what works today, might not work tomorrow. Our team understands that each day will bring new challenges, many we’ve never seen before, and yet it’s those challenges that get us excited to come to work. We solve problems as a team and celebrate victories as a team. We’re very much “better together” and when you know you’re not alone, the possibilities are endless.
What challenges or obstacles do you face in your position?
From a marketing perspective, I’m always fighting against the stigma of cannabis and the incredible misinformation out there about the plant and its abilities. We aren’t held to the same standards as other medical businesses and our hands are tied at every turn. We can’t market our products through many of the traditional channels accessible to most marketers, so I’m constantly looking for unique and creative ways to educate the public and tell our story.
What are you most excited about as we begin 2022?
Missouri, as well as neighboring states, are poised to have an incredible 2022 from a cannabis perspective. As we look forward to the possibility of an adult-use market coming in 2023, I look forward to doing whatever I can to help lead the state on its path to legalization through education and training. From smart policy to ensuring easy access to quality cannabis education, there’s so much to do and I’m honored to be a part of it.