## GreenBook Academy: Transforming Puerto Rico’s Perception of Medicinal Cannabis
Noemí Pérez, a passionate advocate for medicinal cannabis, is making waves in Puerto Rico. As the founder of GreenBook Academy and president of Puerto Rico MedCann.Biz, she’s spearheading a movement to educate the island about the therapeutic potential of cannabis. Since 2015, Pérez has been tirelessly working to shift public perception, transforming cannabis from a prohibited substance to a recognized therapeutic tool with significant benefits.
This hasn’t been an easy task. Pérez has traveled across Puerto Rico, offering free workshops and training programs to both professionals and patients, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding. GreenBook Academy isn’t just an educational hub; it’s a force for change, preparing individuals for careers in cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and sales, creating a skilled workforce for a burgeoning industry.
Building a Regulated and Professional Market
Puerto Rico’s unique regulatory landscape has played a crucial role in shaping the cannabis industry. Strict educational requirements mandate that all cannabis industry employees undergo comprehensive training, ensuring professionalism and quality. This rigorous approach has helped dismantle prejudices and create a more inclusive environment for everyone involved.
From Stigma to Acceptance: A Community-Driven Approach
Pérez recalls the early days of Puerto Rico’s medicinal cannabis industry: “There were no patients, no doctors, no vendors.” Through the Cannaworks Institute, she introduced entire communities to medicinal cannabis, sparking a continuous awareness campaign that helped her gain ground against stigma and attract more professionals to the industry.
Pérez recognizes that in a society with Puerto Rico’s strong pharmaceutical heritage, quality and seriousness are paramount for cannabis to thrive. She believes the island’s pharmaceutical approach, with its high-quality standards, not only ensures safe products but also builds consumer trust.
“Here in Puerto Rico, the medicinal cannabis project follows the same pharmaceutical foundations,” she explains. This regulatory approach has helped position medicinal cannabis as a legitimate therapeutic option, moving it away from its recreational image.
Medical Cannabis Tourism: A Wellness Destination
Pérez’s vision extends beyond local education. With her aim to expand medicinal tourism, GreenBook Academy is creating a holistic experience for patients visiting the island. Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean’s tourism growth, Pérez has developed a program allowing patients from other jurisdictions who cannot bring their medicinal cannabis to access products in Puerto Rico.
This program, featuring educational tours and dispensary visits, provides a comprehensive introduction to medicinal cannabis in a safe and regulated environment. “It’s like a ‘workshop on wheels,’” Pérez says enthusiastically. This initiative not only promotes wellness tourism but also positions Puerto Rico as a leader in healthcare and alternative therapies.
For Pérez, this experience is an opportunity to normalize medicinal cannabis use while creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.
A Vision for the Future
Pérez’s vision for 2025 is clear: to broaden education and access to medicinal cannabis across Puerto Rico. While recreational legalization remains uncertain, she’s focused on promoting an accessible, safe, and educational medicinal cannabis model. Through GreenBook Academy, she plans to continue training new professionals, expand medicinal tourism, and ensure that more patients understand and trust cannabis as a viable therapeutic option.
The dedication of Noemí Pérez and her team has established GreenBook Academy and Cannaworks as pillars in developing a respected and professional medicinal cannabis industry in Puerto Rico. Looking towards an inclusive and accessible future, Pérez continues to break down barriers, challenge stigmas, and demonstrate that medicinal cannabis has a solid place in the island’s health and economy.
