S5:E5 – Nikki Lawley: From Nurse to Patient to Advocate, Surviving a Broken System & Finding Purpose Through the Plant

In this powerful episode of Women in CannaBusiness, we sit down with Nikki Lawley,patient advocate, speaker, and founder of Nikki and the Plant, to explore her deeply personal journey from healthcare provider to patient, and ultimately, to one of the most impactful voices in the industry. After a life-altering injury in 2016, Nikki went from being a pediatric nurse to navigating a broken medical system, seeing over 50 doctors, being on over 10+ pharmaceuticals at a time, battling debilitating symptoms, and facing the harsh realities of traditional treatment. At her lowest point, she found herself questioning everything… until one unexpected experience with plant medicine changed the trajectory of her life forever. What followed was not just healing, but purpose. Nikki shares how she became what she calls a “medical cannabis refugee,” traveling across borders just to access the relief she couldn’t find at home, and how that journey led her to discover the true power of the plant, not just THC, but the full spectrum of compounds working together. Today, Nikki is a leading advocate for patients, working to raise awareness around invisible illness, disability, and the importance of education, access, and authenticity in the space. In this episode, we dive into: The moment that shifted everything for Nikki. and gave her a reason to keep going What it really feels like to not be heard in the traditional medical system The misconceptions around plant medicine and how education changes everything Why patient stories are one of the most powerful tools we have The realities of working in the industry from stigma to sales to advocacy What it truly means to be your authentic self in cannabis and beyond This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. reminding us that healing doesn’t always look the way we expect, and that sometimes, the hardest chapters lead to the most meaningful purpose.   🔗 Connect with Nikki Lawley: Website:⁠ www.nikkiandtheplant.org⁠ All Links:⁠ https://linktr.ee/Nikkilawley⁠ Instagram: @nikkiandtheplant LinkedIn: ⁠Nikki Lawley⁠   Listen + Follow: Follow Women in CannaBusiness on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay connected with the stories shaping the future of the industry. Sponsored by OCM Digital Marketing OCM Digital Marketing is a full-service agency helping brands grow through multi-channel strategies,from paid ads and SEO to content and email marketing. If you’re ready to elevate your brand and stop leaving leads on the table, learn more at: 🌐⁠⁠ www.ocmdigitalmarketing.com