My journey toward founding Viridis Care began during pharmacy school.

Like many pharmacy students, I spent years studying pharmacology, therapeutics, and the safe use of medications. Yet I found it surprising that one of the most widely used plant-based therapies in the United States—cannabis—received only minimal attention in our curriculum. The education we did receive was largely focused on legal considerations and potential adverse effects, with very little discussion surrounding therapeutic applications, the endocannabinoidome (eCBome), or the growing body of evidence supporting cannabinoid-based therapies.

As medication experts, I believed pharmacists should have a deeper understanding of all therapeutics patients are using—whether they originate from a laboratory or a plant.

That realization sparked a professional curiosity that ultimately shaped my career.

Determined to become a more complete medication expert, I pursued a Master of Science in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, one of the first programs of its kind in the nation. Through this advanced training, I gained extensive knowledge of the eCBome, cannabinoid pharmacology, plant-based therapeutics, and the principles of integrative health and wellness. More importantly, it reinforced my belief that healthcare should not force patients to choose between conventional medicine and evidence-based natural therapies. Instead, the two should be thoughtfully integrated to achieve the best possible outcomes.

With nearly a decade of pharmacy experience spanning both community and acute care settings, I have gained a unique perspective on the challenges patients and healthcare providers face every day. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how patients struggle to navigate increasingly complex medication regimens, often prescribed by multiple providers across different specialties. I have also witnessed how primary care offices, specialty clinics, and other healthcare practices are frequently stretched thin when it comes to comprehensive medication therapy management. As polypharmacy continues to rise, medication-related problems, adverse effects, drug interactions, and preventable complications have become increasingly common—often contributing to unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

At the same time, many patients are interested in cannabis or other plant-based therapies but do not know where to find reliable, evidence-based guidance. Others feel uncomfortable discussing these therapies with healthcare providers due to stigma, misinformation, or previous experiences of being dismissed. Many clinicians have received limited education on cannabis and other plant-based medicines, leaving them without the tools or confidence to answer important patient questions or safely integrate these therapies into a patient's overall treatment plan.

These gaps in care leave both patients and providers without the support they deserve.

I founded Viridis Care to help bridge that gap.

My mission is to provide patients and healthcare professionals with clear, evidence-based support that brings together the best of traditional medicine, clinical pharmacology, and plant-informed therapeutics. Whether helping a patient optimize a complex medication regimen, navigate medical cannabis therapy, or better understand their treatment options, my goal remains the same: to empower informed decisions, improve outcomes, and ensure every patient feels heard, supported, and respected.

At Viridis Care, integrative medicine is not about replacing conventional healthcare. It is about creating a more complete, collaborative approach—one that recognizes the value of both modern pharmaceuticals and evidence-based plant medicine while keeping patient safety and individualized care at the center of every decision.

In Good Health,

Dr. Erin J Walsh