Nikki Lawley, a Buffalo native and former pediatric nurse, transformed her life after suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in October 2016. Her journey from healthcare professional to patient-advocate highlights the potential of medical cannabis and positions her as a powerful voice within the New York cannabis community.
A Nurse’s Life Flipped Upside Down
Back in 2016, Nikki was working as a pediatric nurse when a violent head injury changed everything. After sustaining a TBI during a routine patient interaction, she was left battling chronic pain, cognitive issues, depression, and anxiety. Dozens of prescription meds only made things worse.
As Nikki explained in her recent interview with GreenState, “I wasn’t living. I was existing.”
Discovering Cannabis—and Herself
Her breakthrough came not in a doctor’s office, but in Las Vegas, where a billboard for medical cannabis sparked curiosity. A visit to a dispensary led her to products that gave her true relief—fast. It was a wake-up call that medicine doesn’t always come in pill form.
When she returned to Buffalo, she found New York’s cannabis options limited—mostly oils and vapes, with flower out of reach. She began crossing the border to Canada, where terpene-rich flower and minor cannabinoids offered deeper, more consistent relief. That hands-on experience is what shaped Nikki into the advocate she is today.
Leading Change with FLUENT Cannabis
Today, as Wholesale Account Executive for FLUENT Cannabis, Nikki brings her advocacy work directly into the New York cannabis industry. Serving the Western NY market, she represents FLUENT’s house of brands including Etain, Knack, Moods, Moods Black, and Hyer Kind—helping dispensaries stock quality products that can make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Her role at FLUENT allows her to bridge her patient advocacy background with industry expertise. She understands both sides: what patients need and what dispensaries require to serve them effectively. Her approach remains people-first, helping retailers understand the importance of terpenes over THC percentage and ensuring patients have access to products that actually work—not just what’s trending.
Through her work with FLUENT, she continues to remind the industry to “start low and go slow,” encourages patient education, and demystifies product selection for those new to cannabis medicine.
Why Her Story Matters
Nikki’s story reminds us that cannabis isn’t just a business—it’s a lifeline for many. Her work brings humanity back into the conversation, especially here in Western New York where the cannabis scene continues to evolve.
Whether you’re a dispensary owner looking to better serve medical patients, or someone navigating your own healing journey with cannabis, Nikki’s experience and expertise make her an invaluable resource in New York’s growing cannabis community.
👉 Read Nikki’s full story on GreenState.
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