I am honored to have the opportunity to speak with a senior Medical Scientist, David Ostrow, MD, PhD, LFAPA and advocate for therapeutic uses of cannabinoids and other plant based derived medications in prevention and treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Ostrow also holds licenses and is certified in Adult Psychiatry, HIV medicine, Addiction Medicine and Cannabinoid Medicine. Throughout Dr. Ostrow’s career, he has sought to shine light on the role of social and societal factors that limit healthcare access and increase co-morbidities among poor, minority and other marginalized groups, a driving factor that has gained widespread attention during the current Covid19 epidemic. Since the late ‘90s, Dr. Ostrow has been an advocate for replacing failed national drug policies in the US with more effective, compassionate and harm-reduction approaches, including regulation and legalization of adult cannabis use, integration of Cannabinoids as Medicine into the healthcare training curriculum, and expungement of criminal records and rehabilitation of persons incarcerated for non-violent cannabis possession. We discuss the stigma associated with cannabis due to the failed national drug policies and the challenges they create for cannabis research and development - but times are changing...for the better! Dr Ostrow also provides scientific consultation and program development and planning expertise to the medical cannabis start-ups and pro bono consultation to non-profit and social equity endeavors in the health and wellness arenas. Learn more if Dr Ostrow can assist you at www.DavidOstrow.consulting