Our Mission
Our ultimate goal is to help grow the cannabis industry through continued 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.Â
We believe in the importance of educating the public on the medicinal qualities of cannabis. Through our educational efforts, we hope to reduce the stigma cannabis has developed from nearly 100 years of prohibition.Â
We want thoughtful and meaningful regulation in the industry to ensure quality and safety to consumers.Â
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. There’s no turning back now and we’re in it for the long haul. We’re officially out of the cannabis closet and it feels incredible!
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 growers, we have both witnessed first-hand how patients have used cannabis as medicine.Â
As a healthcare professional, Jeremy has witnessed patients with a host of medical conditions find relief in consuming cannabis in coordination with their doctor’s recommendations.Â
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 through-the-roof potential to help people deal with chronic health issues.Â
It doesn’t matter whether those issues are related to physical or mental health, the applications are endless. We will continue to advocate for much-needed continued research into effectiveness in specific disease states as well as dosing protocols. We truly believe that cannabis has the potential to change healthcare in the US for the better.
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.
READ MORE- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.
READ MORE- Tell us about yourself?Â
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.Â
- 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.
READ MORE- 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.Â
- 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?Â
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.Â
- What would you suggest for a product good for pets?Â
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.