How a Cancer Diagnosis Sparked the Birth of Jammin Canna

Our Founder’s Story

A few years ago, something happened in my clinic that forever changed the course of my medical career.

One afternoon, Krissy, the clinical supervisor at The Vaz Clinic, approached me with great concern. Her grandmother, who was in the final stages of terminal lung cancer, was deteriorating rapidly. She had stopped eating, was in considerable pain, and suffered from constant nausea. Like so many family members in this kind of situation, Krissy was desperate to ease her grandmother’s suffering, as traditional methods were not producing results.

Earlier that same week, a patient had brought me a sample of an edible containing a small amount of Delta-9 THC, in the form of a candy often referred to as “rope.” I had held onto it out of curiosity, intent on researching it, and knowing it complied with Texas and federal law by containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. I remembered reading that low-dose THC edibles had shown promise for cancer patients struggling with appetite loss and discomfort.

I offered my medical supervisor a very small portion to take home, with the hope that it might bring her grandmother some relief.

Shortly after, I received a call from Krissy’s grandmother. She told me she was eating a hamburger, she wasn’t in pain, and the nausea had subsided. Remarkable!

In that moment, I realized I had just witnessed something powerful. As a physician, I’ve always been committed to patient care rooted in evidence and compassion. But here was a plant-derived compound, long misunderstood and stigmatized, providing tangible relief in a situation where conventional medications had failed. I knew then that I needed to explore this path further as a doctor, and also as a scientist and patient advocate.

In 2021, I founded Jammin Canna. The name honors my Jamaican roots, where cannabis has long been seen not as a threat, but as a healing gift from nature. When the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp at the federal level, it opened the door for medical professionals like me to study, formulate, and deliver therapeutic products derived from hemp legally and responsibly.

Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to creating physician-formulated, third-party lab-tested CBD and hemp products aimed at supporting pain relief, sleep, stress, and more. I’ve heard story after story from patients and families whose lives have been changed by these products, just like Krissy’s grandmother.

Today, my mission continues through Hemp for Health by Jammin Canna. I remain committed to bridging the gap between medical science and natural wellness, giving patients access to safe, effective options while providing practitioners with the education they need to make informed recommendations.

Garth O. Vaz, MD, is a practicing family physician and founder of The Vaz Clinic in Gonzales, Texas. He is also the founder of Jammin Canna, LLC, a company dedicated to producing third-party, lab-tested, physician-formulated CBD products for health. Dr. Vaz is eager to share his knowledge with his colleagues and invites all to reach out to him if they have any questions.