Meet Our Founder 

Dr. Lakisha Jenkins-Samuels, Ph.D., RH (AHG), is the Founder and Executive Director of the Kiona Foundation Inc. A pioneering Traditional Naturopath, Clinical Herbalist, and Research Scientist, she leads innovative research in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), botanical drug discovery, and pediatric health equity.
With over 25 years of global leadership in integrative health and cannabis science, Dr. Jenkins-Samuels serves as Principal Investigator for the Kiona Foundation’s landmark clinical study on ECS deficiency. Her work bridges plant medicine, AI-driven health technologies, and patient-centered clinical research to advance equitable, novel therapeutic solutions.

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