Florida-based medical cannabis researcher Jacqueline “Jackie” von Salm, Ph.D., (30) is the director of research and development at AltMed Florida (müv), a science-based medical cannabis company seeking to advance cannabis-based therapies. Influenced by a grandfather who taught her about the universe expanding into consciousness, she researched chemical ecology and drug discovery at the University of South Florida because medicine seemed like chemical ecology for the human body. After she received her PhD in Chemistry from USF in 2011, she focused on changing how the world thinks about the human condition and personalized medicines and creating a place where mental illness is not ostracized and emotions are openly discussed and welcomed.

“I have many friends and family members (including myself naturally) who have gone through the ups and extreme downs of life,” Jacqueline says. “Some have even been diagnosed with manic or other forms of depression and given pharmaceuticals that usually only caused greater harm or zombie-like existences. One of the few non-pharmaceutical sources of relief are psychedelics and other psychoactives like cannabis. I would love to wake up in a world where I helped bring general acceptance and understanding to fruition.”

A perpetual student, Jacqueline hopes to learn as much as she can about the history and current work being done in psychedelics, then build on this research and contribute to open discussions toward a more accepting future.

The Cosmic Sister Emerging Voices Award (CS EVA) increases visibility for talented newcomers who demonstrate potential in the field of psychedelics. We are pleased to announce the very first CS EVA recipients, in partnership with The Sleeping Octopus Assembly on Psychedelics (@pittsburghsoap) in Pittsburgh, PA, Sep 27-29, 2019.