S4 E32: Cali Sober Mom Founder, podcast Host & Advocate, Monica Olano

Monica Olano, founder of Cali Sober Mom, a trusted source to learn about and discover safe and effective cannabis products, host of the Cali Sober Mom Podcast, cannabis brand ambassador and reform advocate, is the Cali Sober Mom.  Monica’s journey into cannabis began on June 18, 2022 when she faced severe complications during the birth of her twins. The distressing experience led to postpartum depression and anxiety, which she initially coped with through alcohol, severely affecting her ability to care for her three young children. Her condition worsened despite psychiatric help, but determined to change, she embarked on a sobriety journey on April 3, 2023, exploring medical marijuana as an alternative coping mechanism. Her sobriety journey was significantly influenced by books like "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace and "Quit Like a Woman," by Holly Whitaker, which exposed the manipulative tactics of the alcohol industry. Embracing a sober lifestyle, Monica found relief in cannabis edibles and beverages, which helped her become more present and calm. This inspired her to create a podcast to share her journey and educate others about the benefits of cannabis over alcohol, leveraging her background in digital marketing and sales to connect with industry professionals and envision her own cannabis-related ventures. Monica’s advocacy extends to social justice issues, particularly the socio-economic impacts of cannabis legalization and the disproportionate incarceration of nonwhite individuals for minor drug offenses. Balancing her roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, she remains committed to promoting healthier alternatives and broader societal change, driven by a desire to challenge harmful industries and improve health and justice outcomes.