Meet Our Scientific Advisory Board - Who, What, and Where Our Research Priorities are Guided From
When we first formed the idea of the non-profit, finding our scientific advisors was a task that we took our time with and considered very carefully. It’s not easy being on the edge of constantly and rapidly evolving fields while prioritizing lived experience all while staying true to the core values of our mission. We knew that there was much we needed to consider in who we allowed to be in our inner circle guiding us, teaching us, and expanding our perspective on our research objectives. We are so proud and grateful to have the support of Dr. Allison Justice, PhD, The Dank Duchess, Marné Garretson, MPH, and Dr. Paloma Lehfedlt, MD as they have all personally been critically involved in the evolution of the work at NAP in this first year together.
Our Scientific Advisory Board is an assembly of visionary leaders at the forefront of cannabis and hemp research, education, and cultivation all while prioritizing the lived experiences of our community. Each member brings a unique expertise, and is helping to make NAP and our research projects take shape in a new direction that pushes the boundaries of how we approach the intersection of research and community impact.
Dr. Allison Justice, PhD
Dr. Allison Justice is a renowned cannabis cultivation expert with a Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Science from Clemson University. Her groundbreaking research on cannabis photobiology led to revolutionary findings that disproved long-held beliefs about traditional grow lighting. By proving the superiority of sole-source LED lighting, Dr. Justice doubled total canopy space and cut energy costs by 60%. As the Founder and CEO of The Hemp Mine, she operates a 20-acre hemp farm, breeding company, and hemp product manufacturer, offering a wide range of hemp-based products—from smokeable flowers to tinctures for both humans and animals. The Hemp Mine’s products are available in over 1,500 retail locations across the southeastern U.S., making Dr. Justice an industry leader in high-quality hemp production. Her influence doesn’t stop there. She also co-founded the Cannabis Research Coalition, a partnership between Clemson University and The Hemp Mine that focuses on addressing cultivation and postharvest challenges in the cannabis sector. This coalition is a testament to her dedication to fostering sustainable, science-based cultivation practices that push the industry forward.
Read more about our Science of Smokability study collaboration here.
The Dank Duchess
The Dank Duchess, an international hashish consultant and cannabis cultivator, brings nearly two decades of cannabis expertise to the board. A fierce advocate for cannabis and psychedelic wellness, Duchess has dedicated the past seven years to mastering the art of hash-making and sharing her knowledge through print, film, and social media. Her motto, “Cannabis flower fuels my power, and My Niche is Hashish,” encapsulates her all-encompassing dedication to the plant. Duchess is a respected voice in the cannabis world, contributing to major publications like Weed World UK, Cannabis Now, and Skunk Magazine, and has even appeared on VICELAND’s Bong Appetit. Beyond writing and media, Duchess travels worldwide, consulting with cannabis farms and teaching efficient hash-making techniques. She’s been a featured speaker at prestigious conferences like the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference and The Emerald Cup, and she’s served as a judge in cannabis competitions across the globe. Duchess believes cannabis is essential not only for wellness but also for empowerment, spreading awareness of the plant’s healing properties through her tireless education efforts. Learn more about Duchess at her website here.
Marné Garretson, MPH
Marné Garretson brings a unique public health and real-world evidence perspective to the board and is also a leader of NAP’s data team. With a background in epidemiology and outcomes research, Marné has worked extensively on health behavior trends and disparities in healthcare access. Her career began with an early interest in understanding the intersection of public health and underserved communities, which led her to study at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Marné’s research has taken her across the globe, from South Africa, where she studied the HIV/TB co-infection epidemic, to her work at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, where she explored health disparities in sexual health and HIV prevention. Today, as a scientist at a Japanese biotech with a global footprint, Marné focuses on health outcomes research, examining how specialty therapies impact real-world patient experiences. She is committed to ensuring that cannabis and hemp-based therapies are accessible and equitable, with a particular focus on closing the representation gap in clinical trials for marginalized communities.
Dr. Paloma Lehfeldt, MD
Dr. Paloma Lehfeldt has been a lifelong advocate for cannabis as medicine. With over 10 years of psychiatric research and teaching experience, Dr. Lehfeldt focuses on mental health, the endocannabinoid system, and how cannabis can help manage chronic pain and opioid dependence. Her passion stems from seeing firsthand how traditional treatments failed patients, especially in underserved communities. Dr. Lehfeldt emphasizes that the stigmatization of cannabis, largely driven by the War on Drugs, disproportionately affected Black and Brown communities, preventing these groups from accessing medical cannabis. Today, she works tirelessly to educate healthcare professionals on the benefits of cannabis-based medicine, filling a critical gap in medical school curriculums. Her advocacy calls for decriminalization, descheduling, and a return of cannabis into the medical toolkit, where it can serve as a powerful tool for healing and pain management.
Creating Spaces to Be Seen, Heard, and Valued
Together, these remarkable women form a dynamic and diverse advisory board, driving meaningful change in cannabis cultivation, medical cannabis education, and community wellness. Each member contributes a unique perspective—from Dr. Justice’s scientific innovations in cultivation and Dr. Lehfeldt’s work in medical education, to Marné’s public health insights and Duchess’s cultural and directly applicable contributions to the art of hash-making and quality of products.
Their collective work is not only advancing the cannabis industry but also reshaping the way we understand, cultivate, and utilize this powerful plant. At the heart of their efforts lies a shared vision: to create a sustainable, inclusive, and scientifically informed cannabis industry that prioritizes accessibility and education, benefiting both consumers and producers alike.
Above all else, this incredible board prioritizes consumers, medical patients, and real world evidence with with a practical approach to maximizing and accelerating the impact of research in the space. Their dedication to our mission fuels our ability to be transparent and have much-needed conversations about the role of research and the interpretation and communication of our work. It is a rare thing to find so much mutual respect for the plant, the people, and the science all together in one space. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to create new paradigms together for a future where it becomes more commonplace.