The birth of a child, or in my case, two (as I had twins), is supposed to be an exciting time, right? Well, it can also be the onset of trauma and a multitude of health issues. But no one wants to talk about that. 

My story is one of postpartum depression and anxiety, and how these issues led to alcoholism and self-medicating. But it’s also the origin story of not only my journey to healing and sobriety, but my journey to become an entrepreneur and social justice advocate in the cannabis industry.

So don’t worry, in this story, the protagonist saves herself in the end. 

On June 18, 2022, I went into labor to give birth to my twins. I remember feeling scared. How was I going to handle caring for two newborns at once? Especially since I already had an 18-month-old daughter. Having three children within such a short time span was surreal. But the excitement of having my twins Earth-side outweighed my fears. 

Birth Complications Led to Life Complications

The birth started smoothly - my son was born easily - but then everything that could go wrong did, altering the course of my life forever. After my son was born, the head anesthesiologist left the room, thinking all was well. However, complications arose with my daughter. 

The medical staff struggled to turn her for delivery, and the nurses - new and unfamiliar with the equipment - failed to monitor her heart rate for over five minutes. I became violently ill, and my husband was forcibly removed from the room. With panic filling the room, they hastily moved me to an operating bed. During the emergency C-section, the anesthesia failed. Yes, I felt everything. Although my daughter was finally delivered alive and well, she endured severe trauma. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice.

The trauma of it all also left a lasting impact on me. And to make matters worse, I was sent home without proper support. Struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety, I turned to alcohol, my lifelong coping mechanism. My daughter, the twin with complications, was inconsolable, adding to my stress. I was spiraling into a deep depression, exacerbated by alcohol.

My mom, a nurse, intervened, helping me get psychiatric support. But despite the treatment, I continued drinking heavily. I despised my daughter, begging my husband to leave her at a fire station. My drinking escalated, and my mental health deteriorated. My husband, concerned, even documented my behavior in case of an intervention.

I wasn’t prepared to feel this way. No one, no medical professional, news outlet, or even friend, prepares you for the possibility of how scary and severe postpartum depression can become.

But I knew something had to change. So I sought therapy and explored alternatives to alcohol. Books like Annie Grace’s This Naked Mind and Catherine Gray’s The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober were instrumental in my journey. They exposed the marketing tactics of the alcohol industry and the true nature of alcohol as a toxin. Understanding this shifted my perspective, and I embraced sobriety.

Becoming Cali Sober Saved My Life

In therapy, I discovered I had ADHD. Starting medication for it was life-changing, bringing clarity and stability to my mind. Soon after, medical cannabis was an alternative I came across in my own research. Initially, I was skeptical due to past negative experiences. But with little to lose, I decided to give it a try. I obtained my medical cannabis card and began using edibles. Long story short, cannabis helped me remove my dependency on alcohol. 

Cannabis became a healthier alternative, making me a more present and patient parent. When social situations arose, like a summer barbecue, I turned to cannabis beverages instead of alcohol. Things in my personal life were looking up.

However, I faced stigma and judgment for drinking cannabis beverages. Moms are already judged no matter which choices they make - that’s no secret. But I noticed the perception of moms who enjoyed a cannabis beverage was much more negative than the perception of moms who drank a glass of wine to unwind. Both drinking a cannabis seltzer and a glass of wine, in my humble opinion, are totally fair. In society, moms should be allowed to enjoy cannabis just as they should be allowed to drink wine. 

I knew this stigma was one I needed to help break.

My Entrepreneurial Journey into Cannabis

A conversation with Joyce Gerber, host of The Canna Mom Show, introduced me to LinkedIn as a valuable networking tool and ignited the initial spark for my entrepreneurial journey. It was a revelation - I had no idea about the suppression of cannabis content on social media platforms or the limitations they imposed. As I immersed myself in LinkedIn, connecting with industry professionals and learning from their experiences, I began to understand how my past expertise in various roles could be applied to emerging issues within the cannabis and hemp industries.

With renewed energy and focus, I started educating others about cannabis, launching a podcast, Cali Sober Mom, to share my journey and insights.

My goal started modestly: I aimed to share crucial information and engage other moms in meaningful conversations through my podcast. However, as I dove deeper into the industry, I realized that the landscape was far more intricate and challenging than I had anticipated. My interactions with industry leaders shifted my perspective. I began to envision a future where I could create a significant impact within the cannabis sector.

Through extensive research and networking, I discovered a troubling disparity in how alcohol and cannabis are regulated and perceived. Despite alcohol's significant role in health crises and its higher death toll compared to all other drugs combined, state legislation often targets cannabis rather than addressing the more severe issues surrounding alcohol. This discrepancy is fueled by vested interests and lobbying efforts that prioritize profit over public health.

The economic impact of cannabis legalization on alcohol sales further underscores this issue. Studies have shown that legal cannabis negatively affects alcohol sales, a reality that likely drives alcohol companies to exert influence on legislators to stifle cannabis progress. I have to say, the interplay between political lobbying, economic interests, and public health is deeply concerning.

The Bigger Picture: Cannabis Advocacy and Justice

As I continue to explore these challenges, my mission has evolved from simply building a business to advocating for systemic change. I am driven by the desire to challenge outdated regulations and fight for a fairer, more transparent system. This journey has been deeply personal, as I have witnessed firsthand the struggles of mothers like myself who strive to make a difference despite the odds.

In my quest for justice and reform, I remain committed to leveraging my platform to expose inequities and support the growth of the cannabis industry. What was once a challenging aspect of my life as I suffered with postpartum depression and anxiety, my children, now inspire me to work tirelessly for a world where fairness and opportunity are not dictated by entrenched interests but by a genuine commitment to progress and equality.

Today, I am 16 months sober and dedicated to advocating for the benefits of cannabis. My journey from trauma to healing and empowerment has taught me resilience and the importance of challenging societal norms. I hope to inspire others to seek alternatives and find their path to wellness.

As I navigate my own path, I am guided by the belief that change is possible and that each of us has the power to influence it. My journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of mothers who dare to dream big and fight for a better future.

About Monica Olano

Monica Olano is the founder of Cali Sober Mom, a trusted source to learn about and discover safe and effective cannabis products, host of the Cali Sober Mom Podcast, and cannabis brand ambassador and reform advocate.

Monica’s journey into cannabis began on June 18, 2022, when she faced severe complications during the birth of her twins. The distressing experience led to postpartum depression and anxiety, which she initially coped with through alcohol, severely affecting her ability to care for her three young children. Her condition worsened despite psychiatric help, but determined to change, she embarked on a sobriety journey on April 3, 2023, exploring medical marijuana as an alternative coping mechanism.

Her sobriety journey was significantly influenced by books like "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace and "Quit Like a Woman," by Holly Whitaker, which exposed the manipulative tactics of the alcohol industry. Embracing a sober lifestyle, Monica found relief in cannabis edibles and beverages, which helped her become more present and calm. This inspired her to create a podcast to share her journey and educate others about the benefits of cannabis over alcohol, leveraging her background in digital marketing and sales to connect with industry professionals and envision her own cannabis-related ventures.

Monica’s advocacy extends to social justice issues, particularly the socio-economic impacts of cannabis legalization and the disproportionate incarceration of nonwhite individuals for minor drug offenses. Balancing her roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, she remains committed to promoting healthier alternatives and broader societal change, driven by a desire to challenge harmful industries and improve health and justice outcomes.