Christine De La Rosa
Party producer and business owner Christine De La Rosa was diagnosed with Lupus in 2009, and after almost dying from a pulmonary embolism, she decided to try CBD. The plant “changed her life.” Not only was she able to quit chemo, the use of medical cannabis helped her to quit walking with a cane and her symptoms have been relieved—“I have never felt better,” De La Rosa says. The discovery led to her opening the Benefit Health Collective, a cannabis consulting and delivery service specializing in patients with chronic illness, in addition to her other businesses including Town Biz, a retail shop specializing in showcasing Oakland-based artists, artisans and craft people; two large scale events companies, EDEN Events in San Francisco and fiveTEN Oakland Events; and Queer Fashion Week, the first ever fashion week dedicated to queer designers and models. “I have mostly created opportunities for myself and others [in my work],” De La Rosa says. “My motto is if you don’t see what you need or want, then create it yourself.” —TB
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