Sara Payan’s Healing Through Cannabis and Communication
Sara Payan’s voice has become a powerful force in reshaping the conversation around cannabis. From her roots as a civil rights activist to surviving cancer and becoming a leading cannabis advocate, her journey reflects a commitment to both healing and challenging the status quo. Through her podcast Planted with Sara, her work as a strategic advisor, and her open public speaking, Payan is creating space for honest dialogue and pushing for reforms that can benefit everyone.
From Cancer Survivor to Cannabis Advocate
Sara’s entry into cannabis advocacy began with a personal battle: her diagnosis with colon cancer. She vividly recalls a moment when a friend suggested cannabis to help manage the nausea from chemotherapy. “The smooth muscle relaxants the doctors prescribed weren’t working,” she says. “They didn’t make me feel ‘groovy’; they just calmed down my internal organs. Cannabis, however, helped me eat again. It was a lifesaver in many ways.”
But the benefits of cannabis went beyond just physical relief. Payan found it offered emotional and psychological comfort during a challenging time in her life. “I was able to avoid opiates and other pharmaceuticals that could’ve caused serious complications for me,” she shares. “For someone with colon cancer, constipation from opiates can be life-threatening. Cannabis allowed me to avoid that.” This experience played a pivotal role in her shift from civil rights work to the cannabis industry. After her remission, Payan’s new career path began in a dispensary, which eventually led to the creation of Planted with Sara, a podcast aimed at bridging the gap between public understanding and cannabis use.
Creating a Space for Cannabis Conversations
For her, entering the cannabis industry was more than a career move—it was about creating a platform that could empower others to explore healing and understanding. Early on, she noticed that dispensary staff were not just product sellers; they often became emotional guides for customers dealing with tough situations. “I took it upon myself to create robust training programs,” she says, “emphasizing the human side of cannabis interactions, turning staff into empathetic guides rather than just sellers.”
In 2019, Payan launched Planted with Sara, a podcast that quickly grew into a global hub for cannabis education. “A lot of people told me I should do a podcast, and I initially thought, ‘Who wants to hear me talk?’” she recalls. “But maybe that’s what makes me a good interviewer—I’m genuinely interested in what people have to say.” The podcast features a broad range of voices—from industry leaders to everyday users—helping to normalize cannabis through compelling storytelling.
“Conversation is normalization,” Payan explains. “And by hearing stories from people who are using cannabis in their everyday lives, we help destigmatize it.” As the podcast gained popularity, it earned accolades, including an MJBizCon Emjay Award for Payan as Content Creator of the Year, cementing its role as a crucial platform for cannabis education.
Beyond Cannabis: The Power of Healing Conversations
While cannabis is central to Payan’s work, the conversations on Planted with Sara often touch on deeper themes such as grief, mortality, and personal growth. One particularly meaningful conversation was with the late David Crosby of groundbreaking musical group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. “We started talking about cannabis, but then we moved on to music, and then he shared with me how he was facing his own mortality,” Payan recalls. “That conversation was deeply personal, and it ended up helping him find some peace before he passed.”
Payan’s openness about her own experience with cancer and her reflections on life and death have led to impactful, often emotional discussions. “Our society has such a strange relationship with death,” she shares. “It’s the one thing we all know is coming, and yet we’re terrified of it. Learning to accept it, to talk about it, has been liberating for me.”
Cannabis: A Tool, Not a Cure-All
Despite the positive impact cannabis has had on her life, Payan is careful to emphasize that it is not a cure-all. “I’ve heard people say that cannabis cured my cancer. That’s bullshit,” she says. “Cannabis is a tool. There’s a lot of work being done around cannabis as a therapy, and some people see remarkable results. But it’s not a cure, and we need to have honest conversations about it.”
Her advocacy also focuses on educating people about responsible cannabis use. “Cannabis can work wonders, but some people are sensitive to certain compounds like CBD,” she points out. “And if you’re on certain medications, always consult your doctor. It’s about understanding your body and how cannabis fits into your health journey.”
Payan is also vocal about the need for reform in cannabis policy. “Cannabis is expensive, and people often complain about product availability,” she notes. “But that’s not about greed—it’s about outdated policies and a lack of understanding from lawmakers. We need to push for change, for policies based on facts, not stigma.”
A Legacy of Normalization and Empowerment
Looking to the future, Payan remains focused on her mission to normalize cannabis and empower others to reclaim their own healing journeys. “I never imagined this would be my path,” she reflects. “But here I am, and I’ve found my calling. It’s about helping people understand that they have options, that they don’t have to settle for what the system tells them. That’s the beauty of what cannabis can offer—a new way to heal, to be, and to live fully.”
Through Planted with Sara, Payan is building a community of learning, connection, and healing. “It’s about helping people understand that they have options—that’s the beauty of what cannabis can offer—a new way to heal, to be, and to live fully,” she adds, underscoring her ongoing dedication to those on their healing journeys.
Payan’s journey shows how personal experiences can lead to significant cultural change. From her background in civil rights to her transformation into a cannabis advocate, Payan’s work has sparked important conversations. With her podcast, her advocacy, and her candid reflections on life’s toughest challenges, Payan is helping to create a world where cannabis is not only normalized but also understood and respected as a valuable tool for healing. Listen to Planted with Sara and join her mission to transform cannabis culture, one conversation at a time.
For more follow @plantedwithsara and https://plantedwithsara.com
Sara was featured in our current 420 print edition! Find here
