Cathy Jordan's Inspiring Journey

Cathy’s story began when she was diagnosed with ALS, a moment that changed her life forever. Despite the challenges, she has become a beacon of hope and resilience. Her determination to not only survive but thrive has inspired countless people across the globe.

This page offers a comprehensive look at Cathy’s life, her achievements, and her fight against ALS. Explore the gallery where we showcase a collection of photos and videos capturing key moments from her life—personal highlights, advocacy work, and her role as a symbol of strength for many.

Cathy Jordan's Life Story: A Remarkable Journey of Advocacy and Survival

Cathy Jordan was a groundbreaking advocate for medical cannabis and a symbol of hope for ALS patients worldwide. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1986 at just 36 years old, she defied the odds by living 38 years with the condition—far beyond the typical life expectancy of 2 to 5 years. Her incredible story is one of resilience, activism, and a pioneering spirit.

Early Life and ALS Diagnosis

Cathy was originally from Delaware, and her symptoms began in 1985 when she struggled to perform simple tasks like picking up small objects due to the weakening of her fine motor muscles. In 1986, she received the life-altering diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Most ALS patients face rapid decline, but Cathy’s path was different.

Discovering Medical Cannabis

Cathy’s life took a major turn during a trip to Florida in 1989, where a friend introduced her to a strain of cannabis called Myakka Gold. After smoking it, Cathy felt the progression of her disease halt. Convinced of the plant’s benefits, she began using cannabis regularly to manage her symptoms. Cathy and her husband, Bob, moved to Florida shortly after, where she would begin a lifelong crusade for the legalization of medical cannabis.

Activism and Advocacy

Cathy's advocacy began in the 1990s, when she started sharing her story publicly. She became a leading figure in the fight for medical cannabis, co-founding the Florida Cannabis Action Network in 1998 and serving as its first president. Her work earned her the nickname "the patron saint of medical marijuana" in Florida. She spent years lobbying state lawmakers, fighting for the legal right to use cannabis for ALS and other debilitating conditions.

One major milestone came in 2013, when the Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act was introduced in the Florida Senate, aiming to allow medical cannabis for patients like her. Though the bill didn’t pass, it was a key moment in the broader movement for medical cannabis legalization in Florida. Her husband Bob was even arrested for growing cannabis in their backyard, though the charges were eventually dropped. Despite these struggles, Cathy never gave up.

Legislative Victories and Legal Battles

Cathy’s persistence paid off in 2016 when Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment legalizing medical cannabis. However, the state legislature banned smoking cannabis, the very method Cathy used to manage her ALS. Undeterred, Cathy fought this ban in court, successfully overturning it with the support of Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. Her 22-year battle culminated in a major victory for medical cannabis users across Florida.

Later Years and Legacy

Though Cathy eventually curtailed her activism after achieving so much for the cannabis movement, she remained a figure of inspiration for patients and advocates alike. A cannabis strain, Cathy’s Choice, was developed in her honor. In her later years, she expressed hope to see the end of federal cannabis prohibition. Cathy passed away on July 4, 2024, at the age of 74, marking the end of an extraordinary life. Her death resonated deeply within the cannabis community, with many remembering her as a trailblazer who changed the landscape of medical cannabis in Florida.

Cathy Jordan's story is a testament to the power of determination, advocacy, and hope. Her life's work paved the way for countless others, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the fight for medical cannabis and ALS advocacy.

In Honor of a Friend

I am blessed to say Cathy Jordan was a friend of mine, and her remarkable journey and fierce advocacy have deeply inspired the work I do today.

Watching Cathy fight not only for her own survival but for the rights of so many others touched my life in ways I cannot fully express. Her resilience in the face of ALS, a disease that should have taken her life decades ago, is nothing short of extraordinary. I found immense inspiration in her relentless spirit, especially in her discovery of medical cannabis, which allowed her to live 38 years with ALS, far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Cathy’s courage in standing up to lawmakers, advocating for the legalization of medical cannabis, and her personal victories against a devastating illness gave me the determination to pursue alternative treatments for ALS patients. It is because of her that I developed the BCP protocol, basing it on the very principles that gave her relief and extended her life. I sought to capture the essence of what worked for Cathy and refine it into something that could help others in similar situations.

I also made my protocol legal so it can be utilized in every US state so current ALS patients don't have to fight in fear like Cathy and her family did.

Everything I do here, through my protocols and advocacy for ALS patients, is done in her honor and memory.

Cathy’s story reminds us that there is always hope, and she has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire my work and the countless others who knew her.

It is my greatest privilege to carry her torch forward, helping others live better, longer lives through the lessons she taught us all.

Blessings up!