In 2010, former ob-gyn Lynn Parodneck lost her medical career due to the closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. In the three years that followed, she traversed multiple challenging life circumstances—including a Parkinson’s diagnosis given to her husband, a military veteran exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. “I became his caregiver. That experience led me to research different ways to care for him and alleviate some of his symptoms,” she recalls. “When medical marijuana became legal in New York in 2014, we decided to see if it would be beneficial for him.”

Parodneck, now one of the leading medical marijuana clinicians in New York, affirms that cannabis had an immensely positive impact on her husband’s quality of life—so much so, that witnessing firsthand the benefits of this potent plant medicine inspired her to make a pivotal, life-changing career shift into the field of cannabis medicine. “Cannabis has the possibility of making such a difference in a person’s life. I’ve seen so many miraculous healing stories,” shares Parodneck.

Since becoming a medical marijuana practitioner, Parodneck has helped more than 1,000 people discover the healing potential of cannabis use for their maladies. She’s become so impassioned about this medicine that she is now a regular speaker at local and national industry events, in addition to being involved in advocacy work for the safe use of plant medicines.

As a Westchester-based physician working in compliance with the New York State Compassionate Care Act, Parodneck is especially interested in harm reduction for those using cannabis. “I’m really passionate about ensuring consumers are purchasing safe products,” she says. “Laboratory testing has shown products found in many New York City pop-up dispensaries are contaminated with mold, heavy metals and bacteria.”

Additionally, education, comfort and transparency with her patients is paramount. Parodneck’s office is a dedicated space in her home in Westchester where she serves her patients with the utmost care. “During our first visit together, our appointment will last for an hour,” she says. “I want to get to know about you, learn what is happening in your day-to-day life. And most importantly, I want you to feel seen and heard.”

Parodneck feels that, like in all relationships, communication with her patients is key. “It can be confusing, navigating this whole new world of cannabis medicine—especially if you are dealing with a chronic illness or painful injury,” she affirms. “Knowing which strains to choose for your particular ailment can be overwhelming. While there are some that are often well-paired with certain conditions, you’re the only person who truly knows what works best for you. And if something isn’t working, we’ll continue to investigate better options; perhaps trying a new strain, or a new dosing schedule. There are plenty of choices, and I’m here to guide you on that journey.”