I recently sat down with wellness and cannabis entrepreneur, ex-pharmacist, podcaster, and my friend, Dr. Steve Ivanoski, to discuss the launch of his new cannabis product in Massachusetts and the mission of his company, Dr. BeeWell. Our interactions always leave me feeling energized and supported. I hope you enjoy the summary of our discussion as much we enjoyed having it.
Steve began his professional career as a pharmacist, initially drawn to the field for the ability to alleviate the ailments of people in his community. However, disillusionment quickly set in alongside the conclusion that his unwitting role as a pharmacist in the modern healthcare schema prioritized generating profits over providing effective treatments to his patients (truly, more than once during our conversation did he erupt over the unjust peddling of ineffectual pharmaceutical treatments to patients in need). Being a scientist at heart and by trade, Steve became dedicated to the research and implementation of holistic and natural remedies for those same ailments he’d witnessed go unremedied during his tenure as a pharmacist.
Motivated by the bittersweet cocktail of anger, passion, excitement, anxiety, and pure drive, Steve abandoned the lab coat, moved to Maine, and started his own company, Dr. BeeWell, with the mission of being the trusted resource to all those on their wellness journey, through education and creating natural products with minimal, high-quality ingredients (all of which I can pronounce). For Steve, being trusted means that his end consumers understand exactly what they consume and why.
Here enters this blog’s two main characters – raw, unpasteurized honey and medical-grade cannabis. Pairing his admiration of the healing qualities of honey and cannabis with his doctorate in pharmacy, Steve became a licensed caregiver in Maine and began cooking THC-infused honey in his kitchen. Once perfected, he began selling his product to retail partners in Maine. The natural next step was to partner with a manufacturer who could enlarge the production scale and provide access to new markets. After narrowing his list of potential manufacturing partners to only those with a reputation for quality and being rejected by most, fate delivered an exceptional partner who shared his commitment to transparency in products and was willing to support his long-term vision of wellness for the individual and the community – Berkshire Roots, a Massachusetts retailer, cultivator and product manufacturer with dispensaries in Pittsfield and East Boston and headquartered in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains.
Dr. BeeWell and Berkshire Roots introduce Dr. BeeWell THC Infused Raw Honey and THC Infused Hot Honey for purchase in Massachusetts. Dr. BeeWell products also remain available in Maine. Only two superpowered ingredients are at play: (1) full spectrum cannabis oil derived from premium, locally-grown cannabis; and (2) raw honey, also produced locally (addition of chile flakes in the hot honey). No dyes, no additives, no added sugar. Steve’s goal is to have his product reflect the unique natural properties of the state where it is produced, which is integral in maximizing the health and wellness benefits. Berkshire Roots deployed its cultivation expertise and creativity to develop the strain best suited to produce a balanced and calm effect. The production process is careful and deliberate, focusing on controlling the level of heat used, as superheating honey can cause it to become denatured or pasteurized, reducing the enzymatic benefits of consumption. That’s about my cap on science jargon for this blog, but I hoped to impress upon my readers that Steve is authentically (and quite geekily) dedicated to creating the optimal natural medicine from two of his favorite naturally occurring ingredients.
Dr. BeeWell is not just a cannabis company. Cannabis was just the most sensible origin for the wellness company’s journey to kick off. Steve also hosts an educational and entertaining podcast called “Dr. BeeWell,” where he discusses various guests’ unique wellness journey and the business and art of cannabis. I am an avid listener.
Steve is actively seeking to bring his product to more Massachusetts retailers, into new states, and to expand his product line beyond cannabis, beyond honey, and further into the wide world of no-nonsense, natural medicine. If you’d like to be connected to Steve for any purpose, business or personal, please reach out to me here.
“The path to wellness looks different for everybody, and it takes courage, curiosity, community, and education. My passion lies in educating and inspiring not just individuals, but communities and society as a whole. We do this through sharing stories, knowledge, and resources with each other, and we do it with love, respect, and generosity.” – Dr. Steve Ivanoski
Relevant Links
Website: Dr. BeeWell
Instagram: Dr. BeeWell Instagram
Spotify: Dr. BeeWell Podcast
Dr. BeeWell Full Spectrum THC Infused Honey: Raw Honey; Hot Honey
