Dr Uma Dhanabalan Takes Time 4 Hemp
Physician, Pioneer, and Global Educator in Cannabis Medicine
Written by Casper Leitch
Dr. Uma Dhanabalan, MD, MPH, FAAFP, stands at the forefront of a movement redefining medicine through cannabis and compassion. A classically trained medical doctor with a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health, she brings decades of experience in family medicine, occupational health, and environmental safety to her bold work in cannabinoid science.
She is the founder and CEO of Global Health & Hygiene Solutions and is also the founder of Uplifting Health & Wellness in Natick, Massachusetts. Both are clinics devoted not just to treatment, but to transformation. Her care philosophy is simple yet radical: Treat the patient, not just the disease. Through that lens, she champions cannabis as a powerful, natural remedy that deserves a seat at the table of modern medicine.
Certified by the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine and a Diplomat in Cannabis Medicine, Dr. Uma is the creator of the TotalHealthCareTHC™ model built on the motto: Educate, Embrace, Empower. It's a framework that blends clinical science, emotional wellness, and cultural understanding. She has traveled the globe as a medical director, consultant, and speaker, lending her voice to stages from Washington, D.C., to international medical summits, from grassroots panels to the World Ayurveda Conference.
Building Bridges To Good Health
Her mantra, "Cannabis is not an entrance drug, it’s an exit drug”, has become a rallying cry for those seeking alternatives to the pharmaceutical treadmill. She passionately advocates cannabis as a first-line integrative treatment for cancer, chronic pain, and neurological disorders, not as a last-ditch option.
Beyond her clinical accomplishments, Dr. Uma’s humanity shines through: mentoring young clinicians, building bridges across industries, and calling out systemic injustices that keep healing out of reach. She’s a keynote firebrand, a relentless educator, and a spirited disruptor in a system overdue for evolution.
Whether she’s moderating the “Doc & Jocks” panel with professional athletes or sharing case studies with lawmakers, Dr. Uma invites the world to rethink what medicine is, and what it could be.
