Holistic Analytics

The exclusion of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) from data analytics leads to policies and protocols that do not fully address and may adversely impact the needs of BIPOC communities. For example, BIPOC communities are less likely to participate in clinical trials and health related data collection due to historical mistrust of government and medical officials based in traumas like the Tuskegee Experiment–where 128 participants died of syphilis or related complications, 40 wives were infected, and 19 children were born with congenital syphilis– as well as the systemic inequities and institutional failures of the United States. In fact, despite constituting 13.4% and 18.1% of the United States’ population, in 2018, Black and Latinx people only represented 5% and 1% of participants in clinical trials (source: US FDA). Specifically, through the Maryland Medical Cannabis Patient Survey Series, the problem we aim to solve is two-fold: 1) ensuring that Maryland medical cannabis patients receive the products they need and prefer, and 2) minimizing waste in the Maryland medical cannabis industry. Anecdotally, there appears to be a discrepancy between what medical cannabis patients need and what is available in the market. Our solution addresses the specific needs of these communities as well as the broader medical cannabis market. Globally, millions of patients rely on medical cannabis to manage various health conditions. In the United States alone, there are nearly 4 million registered medical cannabis patients. However, due to systemic inequities, many of these patients lack access to the most suitable medical cannabis products for their individual needs. BIPOC communities, which historically have faced barriers in accessing healthcare, are also disproportionately impacted by health conditions that may benefit from medical cannabis treatment. Our solution focuses on data collection from medical cannabis patients regarding their actual wants, needs and desires thus providing a better picture of market demand. By identifying the specific needs of patients in BIPOC communities, we aim to facilitate a more equitable and effective medical cannabis market. This approach not only ensures that patients receive the treatment they need but also contributes to the minimization of waste and reduction of the environmental impact of the medical cannabis industry as businesses will be able to focus their product manufacturing and policymakers can enact necessary regulations to guide them.

The factors contributing to the problem that our solution addresses include:

1. Systemic inequities: By focusing on BIPOC communities, our solution aims to alleviate disparities in access to appropriate medical cannabis products.

2. Lack of patient-centered market: By gathering data on patient wants,  needs and desires, our solution facilitates a more patient-driven medical cannabis market.

3. Environmental impact: By minimizing waste through accurate market demand predictions, our solution promotes sustainable practices in the medical cannabis industry

The Holistic Analytics solution is a community-centered data collection approach which provides Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) with a confidential means of logging valuable data through focused surveys ensuring that policy decisions and business practices are grounded in real-life experiences and needs rather than assumptions or stereotypes. To overcome the barriers of historical mistrust and misinformation in Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, Holistic Analytics was established as an organization for BIPOC by BIPOC, with roots in industries that have historically marginalized these communities. Relying upon its strong relationships and involvement in the community, Holistic Analytics directly engages with community members to secure data in various topic areas to comprehensively capture BIPOC community voices, views and perspectives. 

Our solution establishes partnerships with community members and organizations; commits to and trains community members to collect data from their communities through culturally sensitive and familiar survey methods; engages the community in policy building; and facilitates collaborative engagement with community policymakers. Empowering communities with clear avenues for policy-making results in better informed legislators, advocates, regulators and businesses, ultimately leading to more equitable outcomes for BIPOC communities.

In the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series (MMCSS), Holistic Analytics will partner with Tetragram, a web-based application that allows participants to answer a series of surveys and questions anonymously about cannabis. Participants will initially be provided a unique QR code that will direct users to the web-based site where they will register using an username and password. After registering, the user will have easy access to multiple surveys associated with various categories provided by Holistic Analytics. Users can view their progress of survey completion at any time. The MMCSS will capture and measure patient and consumer use, preferences, needs, desires and attitudes towards the current state of the medical cannabis market. All data collected from participants is stored on Amazon Web Services HIPAA- compliant servers. No personally identifying information, such as first and last name, will be collected from any participant. 

The collection of data through the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series may assist patients with narrowing and focusing their search for a suitable medical cannabis regimen; provide medical cannabis companies with reliable data upon which to inform the production of medical cannabis items rather than relying upon misleading purchasing practices; and inform medical cannabis policymakers and regulators in a new and emerging market.

Holistic Analytics serves Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) who have been historically excluded from data analytics resulting in a lack of data-informed decision-making in policies, regulations and business production. Holistic Analytics serves policy and decision-makers tasked with establishing laws, policies and regulations during short, fast-paced legislative sessions without adequate access to thorough research in the given areas as well as practitioners and businesses so they may enhance the quality of their provision of services and products to truly meet the community’s needs. 

Data is valuable for informing and enabling decision-makers and regulators to create regulations and policies that directly impact the lives of individuals in various data-driven sectors. By offering a comprehensive dataset, the community involved can help ensure that decisions are grounded in real-life experiences and needs, rather than assumptions or stereotypes. An evidence-based approach can contribute to more supportive policies that genuinely enhance the well-being of the people impacted by these decisions.

Holistic Analytics identifies disparities and barriers to access within a community, allowing policymakers to recognize the challenges individuals face and work towards crafting policies that address these obstacles. Presenting survey data that incorporates personal stories and experiences humanizes BIPOC communities and creates a stronger connection with decision-makers. By sharing the real-life consequences of policy choices, Holistic Analytics provides policymakers with the information they need to establish law and policy in tune with the needs and concerns of BIPOC communities.

Holistic Analytics’ Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series (MMCSS) will focus on capturing the views and voices of BIPOC medical cannabis patients. Anecdotally, team member Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA) knows that the needs of consumers and patients in the cannabis market, especially BIPOC, are not being met due to lack of product supply and diversity as well as a lack of patient and consumer education thus resulting in a business-driven medical market. There have been no tools to measure this thus far. The MMCSS will uncover valuable insights into the cannabis patient community's experiences, preferences, and needs, leading to better-informed decision-making and benefiting patients in the long run. Cannabis companies that rely upon retail sales data to determine which products to produce may be mistakenly reliant upon data that does not reflect the actual needs and desires of the patient but simply their purchasing practices due to the constraints of the market. This data will better inform their manufacturing so patients can access the products they need.

More importantly, in providing community members with a platform to voice their opinions and share their experiences, Holistic Analytics empowers BIPOC communities to be active participants in shaping their future.

Team Holistic Analytics is ideally suited to design and deliver this data-driven solution to ensure inclusion of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) voices and views because we are intimately connected to the communities we serve. As BIPOC individuals, our firsthand experiences with the challenges and needs of our communities enables us to serve as a conduit to policymakers through the provision of data analytics. Our team members include Black, Indigenous and Latinx individuals; law and policy makers; business owners and entrepreneurs; parents and caregivers; medical cannabis patients; and advocates. Our proximity to the communities we serve allows us to fully understand the issues and competently engage with members of our community.

Holistic Analytics’ Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series (MMCSS) will initially focus on the voices, views and perspectives of BIPOC medical cannabis patients in the State of Maryland. Team Holistic Analytics team members are well-known in the medical cannabis community due to our years of community work and advocacy. We are uniquely suited to secure this information due to our established trust and rapport within the community which facilitates honest and accurate feedback from our target population. This relatability is crucial when gathering data as respondents are likely to feel more comfortable sharing their experiences with people who understand their challenges firsthand. Moreover, our team's awareness of the stigma surrounding cannabis use guides the survey project in exploring ways to reduce this stigma and improve public perception. Our team members actively engage with policymakers to ensure a safe, high-quality medical cannabis marketplace including participation in legislative processes by providing testimony, engaging with legislators and policymakers, and advocating for the interests of our community. The Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA), the nonprofit organization member of Team Holistic Analytics, serves as a conduit between patients/consumers and policymakers. CPAA is dedicated to understanding the needs of patients/consumers and engaging them throughout the development and implementation of the MMCSS. This ensures that the communities' input, ideas, and agendas are meaningfully incorporated into the processes, leading to solutions that are truly driven by the needs and desires of the communities.

In summary, Holistic Analytic's deep-rooted connections with the communities we serve, our firsthand experiences with the challenges and needs of the patient community, our engagement in the policy arena, and our diverse representation make us the ideal candidates to design and deliver this data-driven survey project in Maryland. By prioritizing the input and ideas of the communities we serve, we ensure that our work is both relevant and meaningful to the people who need it most.

Holistic Analytics seeks financial, technical and market barrier assistance through its application to the Prize. The concept for the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series (MMCSS) arose from nonprofit team member Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA). CPAA found that raising money for a nonprofit organization in the cannabis industry was a daunting task, especially when established a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, raising money and getting support as a BIPOC, female-led organization within the cannabis sector was particularly challenging and traditional funding sources, such as government grants, foundations, and corporate sponsorships, are often hesitant to support nonprofits in the cannabis sector due to the controversial nature of the industry and potential reputational risks associated with it. This complex regulatory landscape creates uncertainty and poses challenges for nonprofits like CPAA seeking to operate or raise funds in the industry. The social stigma attached to cannabis use, despite growing acceptance, also acts as a deterrent for potential donors. The stigma also extends to the banking and financial sectors, which are generally reluctant to work with businesses and organizations related to cannabis. As a result, CPAA faced significant challenges in establishing a bank account, securing loans, accepting donations and managing funds which further complicated fundraising efforts. CPAA will expand its focus in alignment with its original mission by transitioning the organization to Holistic Analytics by the end of 2023 to, in part, better address this barrier. Holistic Analytics seek assistance with financial planning. 

Holistic Analytics would also like support in determining proper scaling of our project and maintaining the current respondent base for data collection efforts. We plan to:

• Conduct market research to understand the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities in each target sector. 

• Customize services and products that cater to the specific needs of each target sector. This might include designing specialized data analytics tools, conducting industry-specific research, or offering training and workshops tailored to the needs of professionals in those fields.

• Maintain respondent engagement through regular updates, newsletters, or emails, informing them about project progress, findings, and opportunities for further involvement including focus groups;

• Maintain project transparency (objectives, processes, and outcomes) to build trust and maintain respondents' interest; and 

• Devise additional methods to recognize and appreciate respondents' contributions to the project, emphasizing the value of their participation.

Technically, we seek additional assistance to ensure a satisfactory user experience by:

• Expanding our in-house technical team with skilled UX/UI designers, developers, and data analysts; 

• Establishing partnerships with technology companies, academic institutions, and organizations that provide technical assistance and expertise; and 

• Implementing feedback loops that involve regular testing, feedback collection and making improvements to the user experience based on it. 

Rita Montoya is an Indigenous (Opata) and Mexican mother and life-long advocate for underserved communities. An attorney by training with a demonstrated commitment to and a career in public service, she had the privilege of standing up with and on behalf of thousands of individuals in their pursuit of justice under the United States Constitution as a Public Defender and immigration attorney. Introduced to the medical, science-based benefits of plants as a student at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, California, as a medical cannabis patient, Rita saw first-hand the challenges patients faced in consistently accessing high-quality medical cannabis products in emerging legal cannabis markets and the stigmas that Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) still faced as cannabis users. Rita founded the Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA) to develop strategies and solutions to challenges in the cannabis patient marketplace through actionable items with a special focus of ensuring equitable access for BIPOC communities. Rita utilizes her personal and professional experience to inform her advocacy on behalf of medical cannabis patients, families and historically oppressed groups.

Holistic Analytics can decrease the environmental impact of the rare disease healthcare space and alleviate burdens for rare disease families through holistic data collection truly reflective of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Many people whose medical needs are not met by traditional medicine turn to medical cannabis, including those with rare diseases. The collection of data through the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series may assist patients with narrowing and focusing their search for a suitable medical cannabis regimen; provide medical cannabis companies with reliable data upon which to inform the production of medical cannabis items so as to reduce waste and meet patient needs; and inform medical cannabis policymakers and regulators in a new and emerging market.

Currently, it may take patients a lengthy period of time to determine a medical cannabis regimen suitable for their medical needs due to a lack of education, product availability and market consistency. Consequently, many patients use trial and error--based on any number of factors that may or may not be valid medically--to determine which products they will use and/or purchase. Patients may try and reject many products prior to finding those which meet their needs, if at all as some become exhausted with the process and resort to popular methods of consumption like smoking flower. Each time they try and reject a product, the product; the plastic, cardboard and other outside packaging; and any bag or packaging for carrying products from the dispensary, in addition to the resources and materials utilized by the company manufacturing the product, become an unnecessary waste. The lack of consistency of product in the market also means that even if a patient found suitable products for their needs, those products may be unavailable at their next dispensary visit prompting them to start the entire process all over again. This all results in unnecessary waste and impedes the patient’s ability to achieve improved health. Additionally, cannabis companies that rely upon retail sales data to determine which products to produce may be mistakenly reliant upon data that does not reflect the actual needs and desires of the patient but simply their purchasing practices due to the constraints of the market. 

Holistic Analytics, established for BIPOC by BIPOC, is a community-driven model actively involving BIPOC communities in their own health solutions through holistic data collection which informs policies, regulations and business production. Holistic Analytics relies upon established and genuine connections and levels of trust within our communities to circumnavigate barriers of historical mistrust that have resulted in a significant underrepresentation of our communities in health data analytics and policymaking. With an adult-use cannabis market commencing July 1, 2023, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series has the potential to ensure that medical cannabis patient needs are not left behind.

Holistic Analytics seeks to establish itself in Maryland as the premier data analytics nonprofit serving BIPOC communities and to complete the Maryland Medical Cannabis Survey Series, producing data upon which Maryland policymakers and businesses can rely to inform their regulations and product manufacturing, respectively, for medical cannabis patients as adult-use cannabis legalization takes place on July 1, 2023. We seek to expand the Medical Cannabis Survey Series to other states within the U.S. through partnerships with community organizations. 

Holistic Analytics' focus on data-driven decision-making for community-driven policies and regulations aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. By providing BIPOC communities with the tools and resources to collect and analyze community data, Holistic Analytics can help identify and address disparities and adverse impacts to these populations. This information can inform equitable policies and regulations that improve access to services and resources, promote preventative measures, and encourage community-centered business practices which ultimately enhance the overall well-being of BIPOC communities.

Holistic Analytics' community-driven data collection model can help identify and address systemic inequalities faced by BIPOC communities across various sectors. By engaging community members in policy-making and advocating for data-driven regulations, Holistic Analytics can promote social, economic, and political inclusion for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or other factors. This work can contribute to reducing income inequality, eliminating discriminatory policies and practices, and ensuring equal opportunities and access for marginalized communities.

Holistic Analytics' data-driven approach aims to support the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. By working with community members, businesses and policymakers, Holistic Analytics can inform policy-making and advocacy efforts aimed at building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that equitably serve all community members.

Holistic Analytics will achieve these goals by: expanding its scope; continuing to engage in community and partnership building to expand its base of potential community member partners and respondents; securing grants, donations and other sources of funding to establish robust teams of community data collectors; and fine-tuning and further developing digital tools based on respondent feedback.

Holistic Analytics will develop a Participant Effort Score (PES) as a metric to measure survey participant and policy maker satisfaction with the digital tools and methods utilized to capture data as well as the overall Holistic Analytics process of policy-building. Holistic Analytics will ask questions like: 

• On a scale of 1-7, how much do you agree with this statement: “This process has made it easy for me to give my views on these issues”  or “This process has made it easy for me to understand the views of my constituents.”

• On a scale of 1-7, how much do you agree with this statement: “Holistic Analytics provides a space for me to give my views” or “Holistic Analytics provides me with information about my constituents that I can use to inform my policy decisions.”

We will also ask questions about improvements to: the survey tool; the focus group process for establishing policies based on the community data collected; and the community engagement with policymakers to ensure that participants are satisfied with their user experience. Doing so will facilitate our ability to expand the scope of our data collection and policy building efforts as well as our pool of communities, participants and policy makers. Additionally, we will track engagements with policy makers as well as any policies, regulations or laws based on the results of our community-driven process. 

Holistic Analytics expects our solution to have an impact because it relies upon trusted facets of community organizing: go to the community, do not expect them to come to you. Policy building through an easy to use survey tool that can be: a) introduced to the community through a trusted individual; b) provide education about the importance of data collection; and c) facilitate surveys about sensitive topics, Holistic Analytics empowers BIPOC communities to engage in safe, trusted avenues of data collection as a means of shaping and driving community-informed policies and business practices. 

Tenets of our theory of change include: 

A. Inputs: time, networking energy  and social capital 

Activities: Relationship building with communities, organizations and policymakers

Short-term outcomes: Trust and rapport for program establishment and meaningful engagement; Honest feedback

Long term outcomes: Greater breadth of data collection; Wider pool of potential survey participants ; Established lines of engagement with policymakers; Laws, policies and regulations in alignment with BIPOC community needs and perspectives

Impact: UN SDGs--10: Reducing Inequalities; 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; 17: Partnerships for Goals

B. Inputs: People committed to empowering BIPOC communities; Funding for survey tool development and paid staff 

Activities: Expansion of survey series including potential participant pool and post-survey focus groups 

Short term outcomes: Trusted avenues for BIPOC communities to share their views

Long term outcomes: Empowered BIPOC communities; Establishment of laws, policies and regulations in alignment with BIPOC community needs and perspectives

Impact: UN SDGs-- 1: No Poverty; 3: Good Health and Well-being; 4: Quality Education; 5: Gender Equality; 10: Reducing Inequalities; 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

C. Inputs: Service distribution support 

Activities: Education of BIPOC communities about the importance of data collection participation; Provision of community-resource based incentives for participants; Facilitation of community engagement with policymakers

Short term outcomes: Informed and increased BIPOC community survey participants

Long term outcomes: Established lines of engagement with policymakers; Established as a community-driven provider of reliable policy points

Impact: UN SDGs-- 1: No Poverty; 3: Good Health and Well-being; 4: Quality Education; 5: Gender Equality; 10: Reducing Inequalities; 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; 17: Partnerships for Goals

The Tetragram Survey Builder is a mobile application hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and utilizes Elastic Beanstalk and CodePipeline for continuous integration and deployment. The application itself is built using a decoupled backend API and mobile-first frontend. The API is based on API Platform, a PHP framework derived from the Symfony platform and provides a clean architecture for designing RESTful APIs. The frontend is a ReactJS application with an integrated administrator and user portal to increase code reusability.

Holistic Analytics is comprised of Members of the Board of Directors for Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA), a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in the United States. CPAA is in the process of changing its name to Holistic Analytics and transitioning the organization. The legal filing is pending with the State of Maryland. The transition will be complete no later than the end of 2023. 

4 volunteers

3 years

Holistic Analytics is for Black, Indigenous and people of color by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). Holistic Analytics infuses diversity, equity and inclusivity into every action and decision through cultivation of BIPOC community relationships with individuals, organizations and policy makers; through holistic data analytics; and through the facilitation of data-driven, BIPOC community-fueled policy. The Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association (CPAA), Holistic Analytics nonprofit partner which will transition and rebrand as Holistic Analytics by end of year 2023, was founded by an Indigenous Latina for the purpose of elevating BIPOC voices in the medical cannabis industry. CPAA has always maintained a majority-Black Board of Directors and engages with BIPOC vendors and consultants whenever possible as demonstrated by the partnership with Tetragram.

Resources: passionate team members (staff, volunteers, board members, subject area experts), strong community relationships, digital application, established relationships with policymakers and regulators

Partners & Stakeholders: BIPOC community members; BIPOC communities; local and grassroots organizations; government entities; and law and policymakers

Activities:  

Production: Easy-to-use digital survey tool for education and administration of survey series in BIPOC communities

Problem solving: Cultivate community relationships with individuals, organizations and policy makers through holistic data analytics so as to facilitate data-driven, BIPOC community-fueled policy.

Network or platform maintenance: provide avenues for BIPOC communities to give their views and perspectives and engage in policy building with regulators and policy makers. 

Value: Engage BIPOC communities in data collection efforts. Empower BIPOC communities. Facilitate BIPOC community-informed policy. Facilitate holistic policy building with community members, organizations and policy makers.

Relationships: Continuing to build upon established relationships with community members, communities, organizations and policymakers.

Channels: Partnerships and strong relationships with community members, organizations and policymakers. 

Customers: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities; communities historically oppressed and marginalized who experienced mistrust and misinformation when engaging with government and medical authorities; Maryland Medical Cannabis patients; K-12 students and families; policymakers and legislators; and businesses, entrepreneurs and other professional service providers.

Expenses: 

Survey Series  Development and Administration    $ 50,000 (per series)

Staff                                                                         $150,000

Marketing and Materials $ 10,000

Community Town Halls                                            $   2,000 (per event)

Organizational operating expenses                         $   7,000 annually

Development Cost for web-based survey platform  $ 30,000

___________________________________________________________

TOTAL $249,000

Revenues: Revenues can be reinvested into the community through civic education programs for youth and BIPOC communities. 

Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will transition to Holistic Analytics by the end of 2023. The transition from the Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association to Holistic Analytics is a vital step in ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization. This shift in focus allows the organization to broaden its impact by addressing the needs of a larger demographic and expanding its potential pool of donors, partners, and clients. The move beyond the cannabis sector not only helps to diversify revenue streams, but it also positions Holistic Analytics as a leader in advocating for equitable policies and data-driven decision-making.

One of the main challenges that the Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association faced in securing funding was the stigma associated with cannabis. Despite the increasing acceptance and legalization of medical and recreational cannabis use, many potential donors and partners remain hesitant to support organizations in this sector. By transitioning to Holistic Analytics, the organization can distance itself from this stigma and build relationships with a wider range of stakeholders who are committed to improving outcomes for historically marginalized communities.

Additionally, the new focus on data analytics for BIPOC populations aligns well with the increasing emphasis on data-driven decision-making in policy and regulation. By positioning itself as a provider of reliable, evidence-based insights, Holistic Analytics can attract support from various sectors, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private foundations, and corporations. This broader base of potential donors and clients helps to ensure the organization's financial stability and longevity. The shift to Holistic Analytics also allows the organization to leverage its existing expertise in policy education and advocacy to address a wider range of issues. By expanding its scope, the organization can take advantage of opportunities to partner with other organizations working on similar goals, further increasing its potential for funding and collaboration. Additionally, by offering its services to policy and decision-makers, Holistic Analytics can establish itself as a valuable resource during legislative sessions, potentially leading to paid consulting or research contracts.

Moreover, the focus on BIPOC populations who have been historically excluded from data analytics addresses an urgent need for more equitable policy and regulation. By centering its work on these communities, Holistic Analytics can tap into growing public awareness and demand for equity, which can in turn drive additional support and funding opportunities. This alignment with a critical social issue helps to establish the organization as a forward-thinking leader in the field, further increasing its appeal to potential donors and partners. The new focus on data analytics for BIPOC populations positions the organization as a leader in data-driven decision-making, further increasing its appeal to potential supporters. As a result, Holistic Analytics can more effectively pursue its mission of promoting unity, collaboration, and action in the service of historically marginalized communities.

Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association’s transition from solely focusing on one particular policy challenge to an organization with a broader scope has already opened up a variety of funding opportunities to the transitioning organization in the form of grants and private donor possibilities. For example, the county in which the organization is incorporated is currently discussing increases in the budget to engage in canvassing of BIPOC communities for purposes of informed policy and legislation. Holistic Analytics would be eligible to apply for, and well-positioned to receive, Request for Proposals (RFPs) in that regard. With the commencement to the adult-use cannabis market in Maryland and surrounding areas, Holistic Analytics anticipates a variety of RFPs available.