Mieko Hester-Perez
Co-Founder

In 2009, Mieko decided to go public with her son's success with medical cannabis and was invited on FOX Morning News, The Doctors Show, NBC syndicates, CBS, Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, and “Inspiring Parents” on ABC’s 20/20 special cannabis & autism segment. Mieko’s long list of interviews includes The Montel Williams Air Across America Show, The Tom Joyner Show, and other various Autism publications throughout the country. Recently her story aired internationally on Australia’s number one morning show and in the United Kingdom. Mieko has become a source of inspiration for other mothers and families lending her voice for unconventional and holistic treatments within the autism spectrum. Her combined legal education and vast resources have made her a sought out “Warrior” for any family that contacts her.

A decade ago, She was an ambitious college student, and mother-to-be, working in law firms and attorney service companies. In the past years, having a sincere passion for the business of law, she mastered a vast spectrum of critical legal support procedures, and comfortably established many strong professional relationships along the way. In 2003, Mieko became chief executive of California Corporate & Attorney Services, Inc., a corporate & legal research firm, serving clients worldwide. Throughout this period, she began on a very inspirational, educational and loving journey with her 10 year old son Joey. Joey was diagnosed with "Autism" at the age of 16 months. At the age of 9 years, Joey experienced intensification regarding his inability to focus. At this time, Joey weighed 46 lbs and had begun to deteriorate at a rapid pace due to his unwillingness to intake food and his apparent inability to properly digest food. His medical prognosis at that time was “high probability of death within 6 months”.  Needless to say, She was devastated.

Initially, all she could do was hold on to him tightly, and pray for a breakthrough. According to Joey's doctor, our best hope was the continued trials of new combinations and dosage variations of what had eventually mounted to an astounding 13 different prescription medications.  All of these medications were commonly used in treating the various symptoms of Autism's spectrum of disorders. Ultimately, the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana saved my son's life. Although Medical Marijuana is not known to be a cure for Autism, it has been proven to facilitate "LIFE" for her son and has ushered him into his most progressive developmental period ever. Today, at age 14, Joey is flourishing with new communicative expressions, he's gained over 80 lbs, he's happier, healthier, better behaved and is more productive than ever before. Deep within her soul, she feels blessed to have Joey as her son. Joey’s condition has provided us with an opportunity to be a part of a noble cause far greater than ourselves. 

Achievements

October 2009, The Unconventional Foundation for Autism was formed.  It now serves as an informational resource website for parents comprised initially of Mieko, Co-founder Ted Cromwell, Esq. of The Cromwell Law Firm in Newport Beach California, and the Foundation’s legal counsel Jeremy Joseph Esq. of Jeremy Michael Joseph & Associates in Los Angeles, California.

The foundation is geared towards helping parents make informed decisions about their child’s treatment options and supporting the individuals dealing with the Disabilities Education Act. Now as a full time consultant, Mieko speaks with parents, physicians, universities, and organizations across the country regarding her unconventional approach with dealing with state resources, regional centers, school districts, and churches that have exhausted all other treatments and the associated legal red tape that goes along with caring for children on the autism spectrum.  

Spring 2012, USC Annenberg School for Communication NEON Tommy an investigative report was written by contributor Natasha Zouves, which included Joey’s Journey.

Spring 2012, Cypress Hill Smoke Out Mieko Hester-Perez and her son Joey were guests of the, The Cypress Hill Smoke out Festival 2012 along with the most influential and dedicated cannabis advocates and patients.  Mieko sat on an expert panel to discuss cannabis as medicine as well as the devastating effects of prohibition. The educational and informative conversation was watched live on Breal.TV in 20 different countries.

June 2012, Mieko Hester -Perez receives Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Laura Richardson 37th District, Member of Congress for her support that has helped to provide transformative services to thousands of area residents for her participation support with the California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center. 

June 2012, Mieko Hester receives the Evelyn DuPont Award from The California Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center at the 49th annual awards event, for her community service and dedication with children on the autism spectrum.

June 2012, Copenhagenomics 2012 – Founder of Medical Genomics and Chief Scientific Officer, Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc. discusses Cannabis & Autism In Denmark (Mieko & Joey)

February 2012, Mieko Hester-Perez was placed on a list of 132 leading cannabis activists in the U.S and Canada. This exclusive list specifically names 85 men and 47 women, seven top celebrities, and five politicians.

May 2012, Mieko Perez heads the very first Autism and Cannabis Survey with the help of alliances NORML The National for the Medical Marijuana Laws and MAPS Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

Spring 2011, Mieko & Joey were placed on cover of The Cannabis Medical Journal publication. 

Spring 2011, Mieko Perez forms partnership with Cannabis Science Inc.to consult in autism research projects.

Fall 2010, Mieko Perez, speaks at 420 University among medical marijuana experts from around the United States to discuss a wide variety of topics related to what organizers call “Cannabusiness.”

December 2010, First Autism Foundation to attend KUSHCON in Colorado, which was the largest Cannabis Expo to date.

October 2010, Joey representing Autism on the cover of KUSH Magazine.  Kush Magazine is the leading magazine on medical cannabis use and the cannabis lifestyle in the United States. Circulation: 22 Million pages per month.

Alliances: NORML The National for the Medical Marijuana Laws/NORML Woman’s Alliance, MAPS Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, Americans for Safe Access

Jeremy Joseph Esq. Legal Counsel & Media

Jeremy M. Joseph acts as Legal Counsel for the Unconventional Foundation for Autism (www.uf4a.org), a informational organization whose goals include raising awareness and support for families managing the mysterious and misunderstood condition known as autism, and a rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule 1 to a lower Schedule under the Controlled Substances Act in order to facilitate adequate research and access. Jeremy was born in Washington D.C.  He graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 2001 where he majored in Finance and Venture Management at Emory's Goizueta Business School, and served as the Vice President of the business schools leadership council. After college, Jeremy moved to New York City where he worked as an investment banker for Merrill Lynch, and traded stocks and foreign currencies for a hedge fund.  Currently, Mr. Joseph practices law in California where he has represented many of the nation's largest financial institutions as well as international energy and insurance companies.  More recently, Jeremy opened his own law firm and consultancy, and advises, among others, medical cannabis businesses and patients in California, Maine, Colorado, and Washington DC.  Jeremy has served as a legal panelist at medical marijuana events including the Marijuana Conference as covered by CNBC in New York City, and educational seminars hosted by both the National Organization of the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nations largest medical cannabis advocacy group with over 45,000 members.

Jeffrey C. Raber, Ph. D. The Werc Shop  Dr. Jeffrey C. Raber received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California with a focus on developing new synthetic organic methodologies. Dr. Raber is a serial entrepreneur with a thirst for knowledge and an ability to envision new technologies and the brighter future they can help build. Dr. Raber was also an early mover in the internet service provider market when he helped found a local provider in 1995 while working towards his B.S. in Biochemistry from Lebanon Valley College. Dr. Raber studied plant phylogenetics of the RuBisCO enzyme while at LVC and was named to the USA Today 1997 All-USA College Academic Team for his research accomplishments in this area. Dr. Raber graduated from LVC and decided to move from his hometown in Pennsylvania and expand his opportunities by attending graduate school in Los Angeles, CA at USC. Dr. Raber completed his degree at USC in less than 5 years and was awarded the Harold and Lillian Moulton Fellowship. Upon receipt of his degree from USC Dr. Raber was asked to join a start-up company as the Director of Product Development where he created new molecular scaffolds for use as starting points in the investigation of new pharmaceuticals by medicinal chemists and successfully transferred proprietary reaction methodology and know-how to a production partner. Having been recognized for his various skills and abilities, Dr. Raber was subsequently approached to join another start-up company focusing on development and commercialization of a novel chemical reactor technology. Dr. Raber initially joined the company as the Chief Chemist and quickly became the Vice President and eventually President and was appointed as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Raber frequently works with local educational institutions assisting MBA students in deriving their business plans and evaluating their technologies while continuing to develop and create new technologies of his own. Dr. Raber is an accomplished scientist, patented inventor and seasoned executive with all of the skills necessary to direct The Werc Shop’s efforts.

Aury Lor Holtzman, M.D. Family Practice Physician, Internal Medicine Physician, Addiction Medicine Physician, Adult Medicine in Huntington Beach, CA Aury Lor Holtzman, M.D. was licensed to practice medicine in 1987 and opened his own office in Huntington Beach as a general practitioner soon after.  He developed a special interest and sensitivity toward patients suffering from depression and substance abuse.  Dr. Holtzman applied for and received a special license from the DEA allowing him to treat/detox patients addicted to prescription and various illicit drugs.  Dr. Holtzman expanded and enhanced his training in this field by accepting positions all over California, where because of his bilingual ability he was able to treat poor, underprivileged and nearly forgotten patients.  Years of probing research, evaluations and his goal of selecting the correct drug therapy for each individual has been a challenge, resulting in his expertise.  Dr. Holtzman is one of the few physicians that is well-known as a medical marijuana expert.  For that reason, his advice has been sought by attorneys in court cases regarding the use of medical marijuana.  He has been asked to train over a dozen other physicians interested in treating their patients with cannabis.  Dr. Holtzman’s knowledge and desire to help has enabled him to effectively evaluate over 20,000 patients for medical marijuana.  After hundreds of hours of research and experience, Dr. Holtzman has been able to comfortably and effectively incorporate Medical Marijuana into his Medical Practice, which has made him the number one recommended medical marijuana doctor in southern California. 

Robert J. Melamede, Ph.D., President  of Cannabis Science, Inc.  World-renowned Medical Cannabis Research expert Dr. Robert Melamede has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the City University of New York. Dr. Melamede is a retired Chairman of the Biology Department at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2005, where he continues to teach and research cannabinoids, cancer, and DNA repair. Dr. Melamede is recognized as a leading authority on the therapeutic uses of cannabis, and has authored or co-authored dozens of papers on a wide variety of scientific subjects. Dr. Melamede’s current focus is on integrating far from equilibrium thermodynamic physics with the biology of life and health and the unique evolutionary role played by the endocannabinoid system in these processes. Dr. Melamede also serves on the Editorial Board of The Journal of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine, the Scientific Advisory Board of Americans for Safe Access, Sensible Colorado, Scientific Advisor for Cannabis Therapeutics as well as a variety other of state dispensaries and marijuana patient advocacy groups. Dr. Melamede frequently serves as an expert witness in cannabis-related trials. Dr. Melamede’s testimony was critical in the recent trial of growers for the Vancouver Island Compassion Society that resulted Canadian Court’s ruling that their current medical marijuana laws were unconstitutional. Please visit www.phytiva.com and www.youtube.com to view speeches by Dr. Robert Melamede speaking on the effectiveness of Medical Cannabinoids on for a number of different medical applications. Dr. Melamede,  is currently the President & CEO of Cannabis Science Inc., (OTCBB:CBIS), a pioneering U.S. biotech company that is focused on developing pharmaceutical cannabis products.

H.R. Ted Cromwell III
Co-Founder & Legal Advisor thecromwellfirm.com

 Dr. Rebecca Hedrick, MD Psychiatrist Beverly Hills, CA Healthcare Advisor

Devin Calloway Media Director ICU Media Specialist CTO, PRODUCER, CINEMATOLOGIST Email