Meet our Cannabis Education Expert, Colleen Quinn

I am what’s called a clinical aromatherapist; I started my studies in the plant world when I was 18, doing most of my clinical study in Provence, France where aromatherapy is treated as a health aid not just a therapeutic aid. I work with the plants’ DNA when I formulate – their chemical makeup is my priority and how the combined chemistry of combined plants affects the body and mind is where my curiosity lies. I had my own complementary therapy practice for 10 years and in that time, I became a Macmillan trained therapist, which lead me to work with terminally ill cancer patients.

In 2011 I built my own certified organic aromatherapy brand, Lucy Annabella and in 2012 I built LabAroma, a plant science software tool designed to teach aromatherapy, herbal and hemopathy practitioners the chemistry behind their plants.

Cannabis is a wonderful plant like so many other plants I work with every day. The big difference
between cannabis and hemp and its therapeutic power, is the endocannabinoid system. I became so fascinated by this world and the new research that was published.

So in 2015 I decided to spend some time in California to learn more and become a cannabis expert. There I worked with brilliant farms cultivating unique hybrids while also formulating terpene-rich blends with different formats of cannabis for both the skincare and pharmaceutical worlds.

I love educating people helping them to become smarter in plant chemistry and providing them with the knowledge and support that they need brings me so much joy. I love hearing the success
stories from my students on how they have been incorporating cannabis into aromatherapy and how this has benefited them personally and professionally it’s honestly greatest gift of all.

It really gives me so much passion and motivation to create new formulations and discover new
research to share with my students and community.

The people I work with, especially my team, who bring new ideas to the table every day. They are
visionaries who sit with me and explain their hopes for our community.  Their passion, bravery and the drive inspires me everyday.

Sometime ago I realized what a privileged position I’m in, getting to have fascinating conversations
with innovative scientific minds and inspirational founders on a regular basis.

I wanted to share this wealth of knowledge and experience that I was privy to each day, so I started the LabAroma Podcast. The podcast is a perfect blend of cannabis researchers and scientists and plant workers coming together to discuss their collective passions. It has been the most enriching experience of my career so far.

I also speak about plant science, cannabis pharmacology and cosmetic formulations globally which is challenging and nerve-wracking but once delivered so, so rewarding!

I love to run along the Thames early in the morning while London sleeps. That, or stretching in a hot Vinyasa yoga class. Honestly though, if I think about it, a weekend spent seeing the world through my niece’s and nephew’s eyes is the most magical way to spend time.

If you have read this far you may want to hear from me? This podcast with the beautiful Savanah for NAHA dives into my personal journey with cannabis and all my thoughts on where we can go with this awe-inspiring plant.