OUR STAFF

Kala Sanmartin

RN (BSc. N), CCHCNC
TCN + Co Founder and Co-Owner, Holistic Cannabis Nurse Coach

  • Kala graduated from Grant MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2012. Since then, she has worked in homecare as a case manager, as a university clinical instructor and as a triage nurse in the emergency room.

    After obtaining her medical cannabis documents and effectively treating her insomnia and anxiety (with no side effects), she knew she wanted to become an advocate for this plant as medicine and absolutely fell in love with the research. Cannabis gave Kala her life back and she wants to help others experience what she has. As debilitating as her experiences with insomnia were, Kala is forever grateful for them. She was introduced to the incredible healing powers of cannabis, which not only gave her freedom from sleeplessness, but helped launch The Cannabis Nurses + Co.

    Here is a comprehensive list of Kala’s educational credentials and courses:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    • CIINDE© Certified Holistic Cannabis Nurse Coach

    • Creator of an accredited Holistic Cannabis Nurse program through The CIINDE©

    • Good standing with CARNA (College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta)

    • Clinical Cannabinoid Medicine Curriculum - The Medical Cannabis Institute (TMCI) Global

    • Cannabis Competent Nurse: Canadian Edition Certification of Completion through Cannabis Competency Professional Courses

    • Cannabis and Motherhood by Dr. Michelle Ross

    • Migraines and Cannabis by Dr. Michelle Ross

    • The Canadian Cannabis Syllabus – The Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids

Heather Wilkinson

Rec T (BSc. Kin, BARST) CSEP-CPT, RYT-200
TCN + Co Co-Owner, Holistic Cannabis Educator

  • Heather graduated from the University of Alberta in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She worked as an Exercise Therapist at a private physiotherapy clinic for 6 years, creating progressive exercise programs for individuals with work injuries and chronic pain conditions. After completing her second degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport + Tourism, Heather became a Recreation Therapist and started work at a tertiary rehab hospital in Edmonton. In this setting she worked with a variety of populations with chronic and acute conditions; Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury + General Neurology, and Specialized Geriatrics (including cognitive and behavioural conditions). Heather is passionate about holistic care approaches to health and wellness; empowering individuals to establish their own meaningful goals using multi-factorial and strength-based approaches to address all components of a human being, not just honing in on a diagnosis.

    Heather came to cannabis for wellness reasons in a darker period of her life. Following a difficult pregnancy and delivery of her second child in 2021, she was struggling with unmanaged traumas and debilitating post-partum depression and anxiety. Kala met Heather with open arms and a wealth of education. Cannabis was the missing tool needed to process deep traumas, increase her capacity to be a present parent and soothe years of anxieties. It also became the catalyst to leaving a triggering work environment to join Kala’s side at the helm of The Cannabis Nurses + Co, a move she will forever be grateful for. Heather now channels her passion into education through Cannaware Workshops, social media management, website development and program creation. Drawing on her background as a Recreation Therapist and Yoga Instructor, Heather also envisions facilitating wellness retreats dedicated to nurturing the Endocannabinoid System, showcasing her commitment to holistic approaches that address all facets of human well-being.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

SIERRA POOLE

RN (BSc.N), CCHCN
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Hi there, my name is Sierra. I am a Registered Nurse working in the beautiful city of Victoria on Vancouver Island. I have been practicing as an RN for the past 12 years and have worked in a variety of settings such as Neurology/Neurosurgery, Stroke and spinal cord rehab and Occupational Health. I have always loved working closely with patients/clients coaching and empowering them towards their most optimal level of health and wellness. I have always focused my practice on the "Heart" of nursing, in developing strong therapeutic relationships and viewing the client as a whole person not just a task or a checklist of things that need to be looked after. I was drawn to Cannabis nursing by seeing the inspiring work that Kala, our co-founder, was doing with the Veterans in her area. To see how this amazing plant positively impacted her life and then use it as a catalyst to provide help to others was truly profound. I hope to be able to also use the power of the cannabis plant to empower the clients that I work with to live healthier and fulfilling lives.

CANDICE ESTRELA

RN/MN, CCHCNC
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Hello, my name is Candice and I am a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Advanced Practice Leadership. I have an advanced certification in holistic nursing through the Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development & Education (CIINDE) a program recognized by the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA). My nursing experience is in post-secondary education including teaching clinical and theory courses and I was employed in mental health. I am passionate about coming to know individuals and tailoring care to meet their needs. I work from a strengths-based perspective that walks with people on their journey towards promoting their health and quality of life across the lifespan. I am drawn towards nursing with a focus in cannabis care, as I feel passionate about supporting people in nourishing their endocannabinoid system through its many forms including yoga, breathwork, and healthy lifestyle. I look forward to partnering with you and learning from you as we promote your overall wellbeing.

NATALIE SAWYER

RN (BSc.N), CCHNC, BC-NC, Functional Medicine Practitioner
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Natalie graduated from University of Northern British Coulumbia with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree in 2013. Since then, Natalie has worked in rural BC as a Public Health Nurse, Home Health Case Manager, Regional Home Health Educator, and Nursing instructor at a local college. She is a Board Certified Nurse Coach (BC-NC) and a Functional Medicine Practitioner.

ALBERTA

Kylie Morey

RN (BSc.N), CCHCN
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Meet Kylie, a registered nurse with a background in emergency, intensive care, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy nursing. After facing burnout early in her nursing career amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she shifted gears. She began exploring the role of the nurse in the rapidly evolving realm of the beneficial use of cannabis and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

    Her interest in plant medicine actually began in 2016, after being prescribed a medication that completely ruined her appetite, she began accessing medical cannabis; she's married to a chef after all - a girl's gotta eat! In her first year of nursing school (pre-legalization), Kylie wrote about the stigma cannabis consumers face in the medical system. All of this led her to the CIINDE Institute, where she found the course she'd been searching for, Holistic Cannabis Nursing. She immediately signed up and tore through the curriculum. After receiving her certification, Kylie joined The Cannabis Nurses + Co and began seeing clients.

    This opportunity has completely changed the way Kylie can show up as a "Registered Nurse." No longer pressured by the time constraints of emergency nursing, she can now take the time needed to understand her clients and how their conditions impact them in every aspect of their lives. Her greatest joy is hearing her client's share their incredible transformations after learning how to nourish their endocannabinoid systems (ECS) with and without cannabis.

    Beyond her dedication to nursing, Kylie is an avid (yet mediocre) golfer. She enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Bronson and Monty (the proud nursing school support dogs). Kylie enjoys being in the front row at comedy shows, seeing live music, and exploring the world through travel. She is also incredibly frugal and will always find the best deals (and creative ways) to nourish the ECS with quality cannabis products and puppy snuggles.

KATRINA STEBNER

RN (BSc.N), CCHCN
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Hi, my name is Katrina. Cannabis has been a part of my life since I was 14. It is a powerful plant that I feel passionate about. I started by using it recreationally and it took me a long time to realize that I had been self medicating in the process. Cannabis has helped me weave my way through my anxiety disorder that can be debilitating. Working in ICU for 15 plus years on shift in a high stress environment work has broken my ability to sleep and left me with PTSD. I then made the move into the community in home care. Here I gain experience working with people in their homes to help navigate the health care system and provide care. I start to get questions from clients wondering how to use cannabis that are faced with stigma.

    More and more I am grateful for what this plant can offer. Now I move towards helping others gain benefits from this plant as well. My hobby at home is growing cannabis; it is so fun to see how it grows and the difference between strains. Together let's get over the stigma and see what this plant can do to improve quality of life.

Anastasia Molen

RN (BSc.N), CCHCN
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Graduating from MacEwan University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I embarked on a dynamic career in healthcare. My journey began in the intense realm of intensive care, where I honed my skills before finding my niche in continuing care, with a specialized focus on geriatrics. My passion lies in addressing chronic pain and implementing lifestyle management strategies to enhance the aging experience. Committed to making a positive impact, I thrive on blending clinical expertise with a holistic approach to healthcare.

NATALIE Pepin

RN (BSc.N), MS - Integrative and Functional Medicine with Concentration in Medicinal Cannabinoid Science (in progress)
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Meet Natalie! Originally from Ontario, she graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BSc in Nursing before moving to Alberta. She has worked 17 years as an Emergency RN and over the last 3 has transitioned to sharing her professional time between there and a Naturopathic Doctor-led Integrative Health Clinic, seeking balance and strengthening her beliefs in the importance of preventive and supportive care, as well as lifestyle and natural medicine.

    In the interest of furthering her ability to support and empower others in achieving optimal health, and bridging the gap between realms of health care, she has embarked on an educational journey into a Master’s of Science in Integrative and Functional Medicine with a specialty in Medicinal Cannabis and is looking forward to sharing this knowledge with anyone who is ready for it through The Cannabis Nurses + Co.

    In every other moment you will most likely find her playing outside in nature.

SASKATCHEWAN

DANA CLAY

RN (NP) BSc. N, CCHCNC
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Hi, I’m Dana Clay and live in southeast Saskatchewan. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have been nursing for 20 years now. My background includes acute care (general medicine, cardiology, and oncology), home care, long-term care, and primary health care. In 2021, I moved into independent practice because I wanted to offer holistic services where I can take my time with a client, really listen to their story, and work together to create a plan that suits them. That is why I love The Cannabis Nurses. I found them by taking a course through the CIINDE (Canadian Institute of Integrative Nursing Development and Education) called the Holistic Cannabis Nurse Program, and the rest is history. I got to re-educate myself and learn the truth about the history of this amazing plant and embrace the benefits of Cannabis. I use it to support my menopausal symptoms, such as reducing hot flashes, increases length and quality of sleep, elevates my mood, and eliminates my low back pain. What I love about this company is that as holistic nurses we can support our clients by providing evidence-based education and resources and guide them throughout the entire process, offering support along the way physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually…where else does this happen??? This is what nursing is about!!! I am beyond grateful to be part of this group of amazing, compassionate, and fearless nurses. I love working with all age groups, but menopausal women and pain management for mature adults is my focus.

SEAN BONE

RN (BSc.N), CCHCN
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • I've spent the last 10 years exploring multiple avenues of nursing. I've worked on surgical floors, emergency rooms, ICU settings, and chronic disease management roles. I was drawn to the notion of practicing Holistic Cannabis Nursing after seeing the challenges so many people experience struggle to manage their conditions, in multiple environments. I felt like there had to be a better way to help people. I've always felt very results driven, and I can attest to the power and positive results I have seen and experienced when it comes to Holistic Cannabis Care.

MANITOBA

KELLY FlANAGAN

RN (BN), CCHCNC
TCN + Co Holistic Cannabis Nurse

  • Kelly has been a nurse for 14 years with a wide range of experiences from acute, emergency, and critical care to working in remote northern Manitoba nursing stations. She joined the CIINDE faculty as an advisor for the Comprehensive Holistic Nurse & Coaching Certificate Program. Kelly currently works out of a wellness clinic in Winnipeg, MB, and has obtained her Cannabis Care for Nurses Certificate tosupport her holistic practice. She is always building her foundation of what holistic nursing means in her developing practice, and as a way of life. Her passions are learning about energy systems and healing, dream work, and intuitive medicine, as well as studying the effects of stress and trauma on our bodies (physical, mental, spiritual, and biofield). Her practice incorporates these aspects for clients and students as they navigate their learning and healing journeys. She would love for individuals to be able to have more control over their health and gain the confidence to take an active role in healing by utilizing their gifts and discovering their divine nature to guide them.

Interested in working with us?