Melissa Story

Melissa Story is a cannabis entrepreneur, Certified Ganjier®, and recovery advocate working at the forefront of Vermont’s regulated cannabis industry.

As the CEO and Co-Creator of Mechayeh, Melissa partners with cultivators to develop thoughtfully curated variety packs that celebrate craft flower, expand consumer understanding, and strengthen local cannabis ecosystems. Her work sits at the intersection of product innovation, consumer education, and conscious consumption.

Before entering the regulated cannabis market, Melissa spent more than a decade in addiction recovery leadership, overseeing operations and training within recovery organizations and supporting individuals navigating substance use. Her lived experience across both abstinence-based frameworks and conscious reintegration gives her a uniquely balanced and informed perspective on harm reduction, stigma, and personal agency.

Her work bridges two worlds often placed in opposition—recovery and cannabis—bringing data, lived experience, and grounded professionalism to an evolving national dialogue.

She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Johnson Health Center, supporting accessible, low-barrier treatment rooted in dignity and evidence-based care.

Melissa is committed to strengthening a collaborative cannabis ecosystem—partnering with cultivators to showcase their craft and build a more connected industry—while elevating a credible and compassionate voice for those navigating the intersection of recovery and cannabis.