Meet the CannaKeys Team
Uwe Blesching
Co-Founder/Chief Science OfficerUwe Blesching is a medical writer and regular contributor in the fields of the cannabinoid health sciences, mind-body medicine, phytopharmacology, as well as evidence-based illness prevention and treatment protocols. In addition to his life-long passion for Integrative Medicine, his writings are informed by Blesching’s rigorous in depth research and twenty years experience in emergency medicine as a Paramedic for the City of San Francisco. He holds a BA in Humanities from the New College of California; an MA in Psychology and a PhD in Higher Education and Social Change from the Western Institute for Social Research.
David Rosenthal
Co-Founder/Chief Technology OfficerDavid Rosenthal became a full stack web developer after a decade of experience growing B2B companies as a business development consultant and digital media strategist. He is proud to be a co-founder of CannaKeys and has enjoyed the challenge of bringing Uwe’s vision of an endocannabinoid research platform to the world. Rosenthal holds an MFA degree in poetry from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He did not coin the phrase “Code is Poetry,” but it does explain his career trajectory and approach to coding as a means to create new experiences and richer communications.
Hailey Pash
Cannabis Science AnalystHailey Pash, MSN, APN, is a board-certified nurse practitioner with over 15 years of healthcare experience as a critical-care nurse and an oncology nurse practitioner. Hailey holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama.
She is the founder of Writingale Health Content, which empowers consumers with well-researched information to make educated decisions that match their health goals. She thrives on navigating complex patient care scenarios and is passionate about collaborating with other medical professionals. She hopes to use her experience to improve patient and practitioner education and enhance the patient experience when incorporating cannabis into their care. She has lectured and counseled patients undergoing cancer treatment on emerging research around cannabis use, both medicinally and recreationally.
She is based in Denver, Colorado, but is currently a digital nomad traveling the world with her husband, rescue dog Gus, and two cats.
Dr. Abraham Benavides
Medical Reviewer / Advisor / Cannabis Science AnalystDr. Abraham Benavides is a worldwide cannabis consultant and full-tuition merit scholar of the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He also studied Biology and Business Administration at Boston University. During medical school, Abe earned a Health Policy Track certificate by advocating for the advancement of Hispanic public health and the interests of 50,000 US Hispanic physicians on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In 2016, he started the Cannabis as Medicine Interest Group at GWU, the first cannabis-focused educational group at a US medical school. Abe survived severe COVID-19 infection and lives with new disabilities including Long COVID, POTS, and PTSD. He loves spending time with his wife and pug, Bruschetta.
Heather Manus
Cannabis Science AnalystHeather Manus, RN, RMT is a registered nurse and Reiki Master Teacher with a passion for natural healing modalities and medical cannabis care. With extensive experience in working with Hispanic and Native American healers in New Mexico, Heather’s vast knowledge and holistic approach to individualized patient care have been the cornerstone of her success as a nurse, educator, entrepreneur, and promoter of health.
As the founder of the Cannabis Nurses Network (CNN), an international professional nursing organization, Heather has created a safe space for nurses, including those who use cannabis therapeutics as a part of their own healing. Her tireless efforts in changing unjust laws have resulted in significant advancements in medical cannabis care, including the passing of PTSD as a covered condition for medical cannabis in Arizona, Ryan’s Law for terminally ill patients in California, and the initial passing of the medical cannabis program in the US Virgin Islands. She also serves on a research committee which seeks to develop an in-depth assessment tool for diagnosing Cannabis Use Disorder.
Heather’s dedication to promoting health and healing has earned her numerous accolades, including the CannAwards “Best Charitable/Community Outreach Program” and the Cannabis Business Awards “Activist of the Year” in 2015 and 2017. As a public figure, Heather has shared her vast knowledge and experience nationally and internationally on the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid therapeutics, mental health, plant medicine education, and cannabis industry assistance.
Heather’s expertise in natural healing modalities and herbal remedies, combined with her passion for medical cannabis care, make her an invaluable asset to patients, healthcare professionals, and the cannabis industry as a whole.
Marcie Cooper
Cannabis Science AnalystMarcie Cooper is Board Certified as a Holistic Nurse practicing for nearly 2 decades in end of life and palliative care. She attended the University of Memphis for her undergraduate degree in nursing and Tennessee State University for her master’s. For over a decade, she has lived and worked in Colorado and studied additionally at The Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Marcie teaches part time in the Colorado Community College System nursing programs. She has been a cannabis nurse since 2010 and is a founding member and the Education Director of Cannabis Nurses Network (CNN). She continues to support patients who are navigating serious illness and advocates for patient access to cannabis and entheogens for inner peace and palliation of symptoms.
