Sara Payan is an internationally recognized, award-winning educator, writer, policy advocate, and strategic consultant with over fourteen years of cannabis industry experience and more than 25,000 hours guiding and educating the public. A stage III colon cancer survivor, Sara’s journey with cannabis as part of her healing process fuels her passion for expanding safe, compassionate access and education. She has worked directly with thousands of patients, helping them navigate cannabis as a therapeutic tool, and has trained healthcare professionals at leading institutions like Kaiser Permanente and UCSF on medical cannabis use, harm reduction, and patient communication.
Sara is Partner and Vice President of PR and Communications at Pulse Signal Agency, where she helps cannabis and wellness brands elevate their narratives through strategic storytelling and media engagement. She’s also the creator and host of the EMJAY award-winning podcast Planted with Sara Payan, where she leads insightful conversations with cultural icons and policymakers—including Rick Steves, David Crosby, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Jim Belushi, and Little Steven Van Zandt—at the intersection of cannabis, culture, and policy. The show has become a trusted platform for industry thought leadership with a growing global audience.
Known for her expertise in consumer trends, product development, and education-driven sales, Sara has advised top brands and tech companies while shaping innovation across the industry. She serves as Vice Chair of the California Cannabis Advisory Committee, where she helps influence equitable policy at the state level. Featured in Forbes, Rolling Stone, High Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle, she was named one of the 100 Most Important Women in Cannabis. Sara offers a unique, multidimensional perspective rooted in compassion, science, and strategy, helping brands, patients, and professionals thrive in an evolving cannabis landscape.
