Linda Solana’s Journey: Battling Cancer, Discovering RSO, and Pioneering Cannabis Advocacy
1963 was a transformative year in history: the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the birth of Linda Solana. Born in Perth Amboy, NJ, to Cuban parents, and raised between New Jersey and Florida; Linda’s life has been shaped by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to heal. Her mission started with animals and has now expanded into plant medicine, culminating in creating CannaVibes Dispensary.
Linda’s journey toward opening CannaVibes began long before cannabis became part of her professional life. She spent over two decades nurturing her passion for animals, founding K9Nanni, one of New Jersey’s largest dog daycares. Her love for animals and dedication to helping people led her to foster over 150 dogs and work with pet owners on training and behavioral issues. This foundation in service to others, along with her desire to make a positive impact, laid the groundwork for her current business in cannabis.
While Linda’s work with animals is at the heart of her entrepreneurial journey, her passion for cannabis emerged alongside her dedication to healing. She believes strongly in the power of cannabis to enhance lives and promote well-being. Before launching her dispensary, Linda was involved with Score Reentry, a nonprofit organization that supports families impacted by the war on drugs. She opened her business to further this mission and help break the stigma around cannabis use, particularly for people facing pain, insomnia, or recovering from cancer.
In 2014, Linda faced a life-changing challenge when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. After undergoing two surgeries, she struggled with severe nausea episodes, often leading to hospitalizations. Despite being prescribed various medications, the episodes persisted, and Linda decided to cope on her own at home. However, things took a turn when she was also diagnosed with emphysema, and the doctors recommended a life inhaler.
She had always been cautious about prescription medications and sought a natural alternative to improve her health. Having used cannabis for nausea, anxiety, and sleep issues in the past, she was determined to find a solution that would work for her without relying on traditional medications.
That’s when Linda discovered Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), a concentrated cannabis extract known for its healing properties. Initially, she turned to RSO in hopes of alleviating her anxiety. To her surprise, it not only helped with her anxiety but also addressed her nausea, sleeplessness, and pain, drastically improving her quality of life. By April 2024, she was no longer dependent on prescription medications. She was able to sleep through the night, experience less anxiety, and even stop taking Xanax. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous, and it changed her entire outlook on cannabis, reaffirming her belief in its medicinal power.
Linda’s experience with RSO inspired her to become an advocate for its use, especially for cancer for those seeking alternative treatments to prescription drugs. She began sharing her story with others, emphasizing how RSO had allowed her to reclaim her health and live without fear of getting sick. As someone who had once been hesitant about the potential of cannabis, Linda now speaks passionately about its ability to provide healing in a way that traditional medicine often cannot. Her personal journey has fueled her mission to educate others and help break the stigma surrounding cannabis.
As Linda’s health improved, she became more involved in promoting cannabis as a legitimate healing option, especially in communities where there are still misconceptions. She noticed a reluctance in people to consider cannabis, often due to past negative experiences or preconceived notions. Linda, however, used her own experience to help ease these fears.
The stigma surrounding cannabis remains a challenge, but Linda’s deep-rooted belief in its benefits has made her a respected figure in the community. Over the years, she has helped many people discover the potential of cannabis to improve their lives, especially those who were hesitant to try it due to negative experiences with other forms of treatment. Her advocacy work has led to a deeper understanding of cannabis as a medicine, dispelling myths and providing a platform for education.
One way she engages with the community is by attending events, such as pop-ups and chamber of commerce meetings, where she can directly educate others and collaborate with local businesses to foster a more open-minded approach to cannabis. Linda’s passion for cannabis as a healing plant drove her to open CannaVibes Dispensary.
For Linda, cannabis isn’t just a business, it’s a personal mission to offer people a natural and effective alternative to traditional medicine. She encourages others, especially cancer patients, to explore cannabis as part of their treatment plan, starting slowly with RSO and building up their tolerance. “It took me months to gradually wean off my prescription medications, but it’s been worth it,” she says. “RSO has helped me with everything in my life. I’m pain-free and no longer have to suffer from the side effects of pharmaceuticals, which harm other organs. Trust the process — it works.”
Linda remains committed to raising awareness about the healing properties of cannabis. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of cannabis on health. She has become a beacon of hope for those who are searching for alternative healing methods, and her dispensary is more than just a place to buy products, it’s a space where people can find comfort, education, and healing.
Veronica Castillo is known as the Traveling Cannabis Writer. Her body of work includes educational and informative insights on cannabis and various plant medicines, and she travels the country to provide insight on cannabis-friendly travel. She is a collaborator, connector, content creator, and traveler specializing in bringing to light the hidden gems in the plant space. Follow her journey: veetravelingvegcannawriter.com / #travelingcannabiswriter and join her Writer’s Network.
