Can cannabis help change someone's relationship with chronic pain and inspire an entirely new career? In Season 7, Episode 4 of Women in Canna Business, we're joined by Mel Gonzalez, better known as Queenee, a New York-based cannabis educator, content creator, Budist-certified concentrate judge, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. From working across medical specialties and teaching hospitals to building a career in cannabis education, marketing, and advocacy, Queenee's journey is one of resilience, personal transformation, and finding purpose through lived experience. In this episode, Queenee opens up about her battle with endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and prescription opioid use, sharing how cannabis concentrates and dabbing became part of her pain management journey. She discusses how cannabis helped her transition away from opioids, regain confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of cannabinoids, terpenes, and consumption methods. Her personal experience navigating chronic illness and traditional healthcare eventually inspired her to become a cannabis advocate and educator, helping bridge the gap between medical knowledge, patient experiences, and the cannabis industry. Today, Queenee serves as Marketing Manager for Alibi NY, a women-owned cannabis flower brand, overseeing marketing across New York State. She is also the founder of the Painsomniacs community, the entrepreneur behind Queenee Da Kritic LLC, a contributor to The Other Magazine, and co-host of the International Women's Cannabis Conference alongside The Dank Duchess. Beyond her professional achievements, we explore the challenges of being a mother who uses cannabis, the stigma surrounding cannabis and parenting, and her experiences dealing with judgment and false Child Protective Services (CPS) reports. In this episode, we discuss: Endometriosis and chronic pain: Queenee's personal experience navigating debilitating symptoms, medical treatment, and pain management Cannabis and opioid use: How cannabis became part of her approach to managing pain and helped her move away from prescription opioids 25+ years in healthcare: How working in medical specialties and teaching hospitals shaped her perspective on patient care and cannabis education Cannabis concentrates and dabbing: Understanding terpenes, consumption methods, and the importance of informed cannabis use Cannabis education and advocacy: Turning a personal health journey into a career dedicated to educating others Motherhood and cannabis stigma: Challenging misconceptions about parents who consume cannabis and discussing the emotional impact of CPS reports Building a career in cannabis: Her work in cannabis marketing, content creation, media, and entrepreneurship Community and patient advocacy: Founding Painsomniacs and creating conversations around chronic pain and lived patient experiences Queenee's story is about more than cannabis. It's about navigating a chronic condition, advocating for yourself within the healthcare system, and finding the confidence to turn personal challenges into meaningful work. Whether you're living with endometriosis, exploring conversations around cannabis and chronic pain, working in healthcare, or interested in pursuing a career in the cannabis industry, this episode offers an honest perspective on patient advocacy, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the power of education. Connect with Queenee: Instagram: @QueeneeDaKritic IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Trigger Warning and Medical Disclaimer: This episode shares personal experiences for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Cannabis is not an established cure for endometriosis, and decisions about opioid medications or chronic pain treatment should be made with a qualified healthcare professional. We are NOT making any claims, and we are NOT giving medical advice. Follow Women in Canna Business for more conversations highlighting women in cannabis, female entrepreneurs, cannabis careers, and the stories shaping the future of the industry.
