ABOUT US

We Are Cannabis Professionals

East Coast Herbalist is a Massachusetts-based healthcare organization and manufacturer of hemp-derived CBD products founded by three friends with unique backgrounds. We care about our families, our communities, and believe that the cannabis industry is the future. 

We’re a trusted partner to physicians and patients across the United States. We work with like-minded professionals and businesses that share our passion for educating the public on the responsible and safe use of CBD products to improve health.

Our team has backgrounds in healthcare, fitness, beauty, and cannabis. We aim to bring credibility and trust into an industry that sorely needs both.

Why is there a lack of trust in the industry? It’s mainly because marijuana is still a scheduled narcotic. Many came before us who have been advocating for medical use for decades, but the stigma of pot smokers tied to cult movies like Reefer Madness or Cheech and Chong still lingers with baby boomers and millennials alike. People have a hard time getting over what has ben indoctrinated in them their whole life.

According to the DEA marijuana is Schedule I. This means it has no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. At the current time, 18 states have a legal rec market. There are 36 states that have a legal medical market. How long will they keep cannabis as a Schedule I considering 3/4 of the states believe it does indeed have many medical uses.

The hemp industry has been a huge part of the push forward due to the popularity of CBD after it became federally legal in 2018. It also opened the door for much needed medical research. Due to our current laws, research attempts have been few and far between until recently. People have generally accepted the idea of hemp being medicinal because it doesn’t offer any psychoactive effects.

The reality? Hemp is cannabis, plain and simple. It is cannabis that produces less than 0.3% THC. If you don’t know, THC is the main cannabinoid that makes people feel “high” when they use marijuana. CBD is a cannabinoid that provides a lot of health benefits without the euphoric high of THC. There are over 140 other cannabinoids that have been discovered in cannabis, each having different effects and potential therapeutic value.

Most physicians we talk to here in the northeast are very open to the idea of patients using hemp products like CBD. To them it’s an extremely low risk option with a high potential upside. What’s not to like? If a patient has no pre-existing conditions or drug interactions that make it problematic, it’s a viable option.

Despite this, many patients are nervous to ask their doctor about CBD. Most are afraid the doctor is going to treat them like they are drug seeking. That’s why we partner with physicians. It is important for patients to be comfortable talking with them if they are considering using CBD products. This ensures that the patient doesn’t have any drug interactions or other complications. 

People sometimes ask us if CBD really works or if it is “snake oil.” The answer is that CBD or other cannabis products are a tool in your tool belt if you are dealing with health issues. Like any medication, some people respond, some don’t. Some require a small dose, some a larger dose. You get the picture.

The key to getting the best results is the right regimen. The right delivery methods. The right dosage. That’s where we come in. We take our craft very seriously and all of our products have specific purpose. We take a consultative approach with customers because we know we can help people improve their health naturally with a little guidance. 

At East Coast Herbalist, our mission is to bridge the gap between cannabis and healthcare. We advocate for our healthcare community and partners to embrace cannabis as a viable, low-risk option for the right patients. 

Our top priorities are creating the highest-quality products in the industry, providing the best customer experience, and educating on the safe and appropriate use of cannabis and CBD. We are working to advance the necessary clinical research into this evolving market and we believe in evidence backed by science.

Learn about Our Process

Our Mission

Our ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between the cannabis industry and healthcare through advocacy for both patients and consumers. We aim to help further the science related to cannabis medicine and to help make the industry safer and more transparent through meaningful regulation.

It’s a part of our mission to normalize the responsible use of cannabis as being no different than having a glass of wine, coffee, or taking ibuprofen. We believe in the importance of educating the public on the medicinal qualities of cannabis as well as the potential for abuse and irresponsible use. Through our educational efforts, we hope to reduce the stigma cannabis has developed from nearly 100 years of prohibition. 

 

Meet Our Team

We are Jeremy West, Mark Laquerre, and Justin Unsworth, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of East Coast Herbalist, and friends for over 20 years. We have very different backgrounds that complement each other. We are active in our communities working to educate and advocate for the safe and effective use of cannabis.

As a leadership team, our appreciation and advocacy for the cannabis plant go far beyond starting East Coast Herbalist. As cultivators, Mark and Justin have an intimate knowledge on quality products, organic agriculture, and connoisseurs. 

As a healthcare professional in the field of neurology, Jeremy has witnessed patients with a host of medical conditions find relief in consuming cannabis in coordination with their doctor’s recommendations. 

The bottom line is this, we didn’t start this business to cash-in on an emerging industry. At East Coast Herbalist, we strongly believe that cannabis has the power to change healthcare in the US as we know it.

Jeremy

Jeremy is a healthcare executive with a background in behavioral health, neurology, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and business consulting. He’s also been involved in multiple startups, he coaches soccer, plays hockey and lacrosse, and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

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  • Tell us about yourself?

My life is my family, my work, and my community. I have two amazing daughters and a talented, beautiful, supportive wife. I love learning, am an avid sports fan, and a lover of animals. 

  • As a healthcare executive, what attracted you to the medical cannabis industry?

My healthcare experience is primarily in neurology and behavioral health, which are the fields that cannabis is most applicable. I have long been an advocate for cannabis as medicine because of my personal experiences with anxiety and depression. Working in a healthcare setting also allowed me to see firsthand how cannabis has helped patients with various health conditions. I strongly believe that a holistic approach to medicine will change healthcare as we know it in the United States.

  • What do you think makes East Coast Herbalist unique in the marketplace?

ECH is unique in the marketplace because of the professional backgrounds of our leadership team. Our three co-founders have very different skill sets in healthcare, fitness, and the beauty industry, giving us a unique perspective. Not only do we manufacture high-end and unique products, but we also curate some of the best offerings from quality brands in the industry. Our expertise allows us to guide our customers and help them find the best products for their specific situation.

  • ECH is very involved in the community. Tell us more about it.

Our team is very active in the cannabis community advocating for a regulatory framework that will ensure consumer safety, patient access to cannabis as medicine, and educating the masses to have realistic expectations on how to get the most out of cannabis medicine. 

  • Your favorite CDB product

I can attribute a lot of my health struggles to poor sleeping habits. My favorite product is our hemp-infused raw Bee Calm Honey. It is a great way to sweeten my nighttime teas naturally and help me relax and get a good night’s rest. Also, local raw honey has a host of other benefits, including support with seasonal allergies.

Mark

Mark is an ex-amateur boxer, personal trainer, and craft cannabis grower. He got involved in the medical cannabis industry back in 2006 when Rhode Island passed laws for medical use. He is a dedicated personal trainer and teaches boxing classes to students of all ages and abilities.

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  • Tell us about yourself? 

I am an athlete, sports enthusiast, and cannabis connoisseur. I have been on the cannabis scene as a grower for medical patients since 2006, when Rhode Island went legal. I am a huge dog lover and have a French Bulldog named Enzo. 

  • What do you think makes ECH unique in the marketplace?

Definitely having leaders with very different backgrounds. Being an athlete and someone who has been in the industry for around 15 years, I see things from a different perspective than Justin and Jeremy. We focus on products with niches in medicine, sports, and we can identify with our customers because we also use these products.

  • Why would you recommend CBD products to someone who might be on the fence?

If you’re on the fence, my suggestion would be to start with a topical product, a tincture, or an edible and see how well it works for you. Using the products on a consistent regimen will help you realize the best results. My advice to anyone looking to try CBD is to find a company that can answer questions and help you choose the right product for your specific needs.

  • CBD and sports? How do they go together?

If you’re an athlete like me, taking care of your body is a must. As a boxer, I am constantly fighting off nagging injuries, and CBD products have helped me recover faster than I normally would. Using hemp-derived products can help you maintain peak performance without using treatments that can have significant side effects with long-term usage.

  • Your favorite CDB product

My favorite product is our GreenMed Botanicals CBD: CBN tincture. This product is used specifically at night time to help promote deep, restful sleep. As an athlete, getting enough sleep is crucial to helping your body repair itself and being able to perform at the highest levels.

Justin

Justin has been in the barbering and beauty industry for nearly three decades where he owned and operated multiple salons and barbershops, and continues to work as a business consultant. Justin is a huge cannabis advocate and has been cultivating in Rhode Island’s medical program since 2010.

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  • Tell us about yourself?

I am a father of two boys and a devoted husband. I owned and operated multiple salons and barbershops throughout my career in the barbering and beauty industry, taught hair cutting, coloring, and barbering, and I continue to work as a business consultant. I am a huge cannabis advocate and have been cultivating in Rhode Island’s medical program since 2010. 

  • What do you think makes ECH unique in the marketplace?

The amount of research and development that we put into our products is different than most companies in the hemp market. We extensively research ingredients to give our customers a very tailored experience with high-quality, lab-tested hemp products. Being immersed in the local cannabis scene, we have a good pulse on what new products are up and coming.

  • You guys are huge fans of dogs. Can animals use CBD? 

Pet products are some of our best sellers when it comes to CBD. In particular, dogs and cats also have an endocannabinoid system and respond quite well to derived hemp tinctures, topicals, and edibles. 

  • What would you suggest for a product good for pets? 

Product recommendation depends on the health issues the pet is having, their weight, and their age. There are some great pet treat options with different botanical blends for separation anxiety, travel-related stress, or various phobias, as well as for irritated skin and arthritis. I suggest Bacon Pet Tincture because you can more easily control the dosage and titrate up or down as needed.

What Customers Are Saying

Can’t Say Enough

Can’t say enough about the quality of the products from East Coast. Quick delivery, packaged properly, excellent customer service.

Buz Gileau

Great Company

Great company that has tons of spectacular products and reasonable prices! Very prompt processing I’m very happy with the way they handle things.

Zac King

Blown Away

Absolutely blown away by the customer service; 10/10 would recommend this place to everyone I know.

Austin Conant

Out Of This World

The customer service here is absolutely out of this world. Knowledgeable and very helpful, highly recommend!

Jessica Pratt

Money Well Spent

I stumbled upon East Coast Herbalist a 30 minute drive from home. Staff were friendly and provided extensive info.

Donald Pedder

So Happy

I’m so happy with these products! Tried a handful of CBD from various companies without benefits. First day using lemongrass salve, so much better!

Celie Morin