About Us
A Message from our Founder
Our Mission
Advocating for Medical Cannabis Access to Treat Female Orgasm Difficulty (FOD) Globally
Research spanning more than five decades reveals that cannabis can help women access and experience orgasm, including those with orgasm difficulty.
In 2024, with the help of dedicated volunteers, we petitioned 11 U.S. states to add FOD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. As a result, Connecticut21 and Illinois22 approved the condition, paving the way for broader recognition of sexual health as a legitimate area of medical need, while several other states are currently in various stages of review.
FOD has well-established links to anxiety23 and depression,24 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),25 childhood sexual abuse,26 and other physiological conditions.27 In fact, a recent study found that women with orgasmic difficulty had 24% more mental health issues, 52.6% more PTSD, 29% more depressive disorders, 13% more anxiety disorders, and 22% more prescription drug use than women without orgasm difficulty.19
The Women’s Cannabis Project exists to educate the public, healthcare providers, and elected officials about the critical role of female orgasm in mental and physical health, and to advocate for access to cannabis as a scientifically supported treatment option.
We invite you to stand with us. As the World Association for Sexual Health affirms, sexual health is a human right, and we all have the right to benefit from scientific progress.28
Our Director
Kelsey Engvik, MBA
Director, Women’s Cannabis Project
Strategic Support, Female Orgasm Research Institute
Kelsey Engvik serves as the inaugural Director of the Women’s Cannabis Project, a program of the Female Orgasm Research Institute. In this role, she leads efforts to increase awareness, access, and legitimacy for female orgasmic difficulty (FOD) as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis treatment.
Kelsey also contributes to the broader mission of the Female Orgasm Research Institute, supporting its advocacy, research, and policy goals. She works closely with the founder and board leadership on strategic planning, public engagement, and state-level petitioning—helping to bridge the work of the Women’s Cannabis Project with the Institute’s larger movement for systemic change in women’s health.
In addition to her work with FORI, Kelsey serves as the Marketing and Operations Director for the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists, where she collaborates with clinicians, educators, and policy leaders to promote responsible cannabinoid access. Her dual roles reflect a shared mission and synergy between organizations, including the leadership of Dr. Jordan Tishler, President of ACS and Vice President of FORI.
Kelsey holds an MBA in Marketing and a BS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She brings a depth of experience in nonprofit operations, digital strategy, SEO, volunteer coordination, and campaign development.
Her work helps normalize conversations around female orgasmic difficulty, advocate for medical legitimacy, and elevate the visibility of under-researched areas in sexual and reproductive health.
Scientific & Clinical Advisory Council
We are recruiting volunteers to assist with this project. If interested in joining us in petitioning the US states and countries to add FOD as a condition of treatment for medical cannabis , please email us at info@femaleorgasmresearch.org
Suzanne Mulvehill, PhD
Founder/President
Suzanne Mulvehill, PhD, is a Clinical Sexologist, Orgasmologist, and Executive Director of the Female Orgasm Research Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on researching and developing science-backed treatments for female orgasm difficulty (FOD) and its related mental health challenges.
After personally overcoming orgasm difficulty with the help of cannabis, Dr. Mulvehill became a leading advocate for adding FOD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis in the U.S. and globally. Her dissertation research revealed statistically significant evidence that cannabis improves orgasm in women with orgasm difficulty—supporting 50 years of related scientific studies.
She has presented her work at major conferences including the Cannabis Clinical Outcomes Research Conference and the World Conference on Sexual Medicine, and has spoken for organizations like the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists and Sex Coach University. Her insights have been featured on podcasts and in interviews with experts including Dr. Nan Wise of Psychology Today.
A former elected official and international entrepreneur, Dr. Mulvehill sold her tropical plant business in 2020 to pursue her PhD and dedicate her life to advancing women’s sexual health through research and advocacy.
Jordan Tishler, MD
Vice President
Dr. Tishler is a Cannabis Specialist. He is the President and CMO of inhaleMD, a medical practice in Cambridge, MA., specializing in treating male and female sexual dysfunction with cannabis. Dr. Tishler graduated from both Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, trained at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and is faculty at both the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He has spent many years working with the underserved, particularly providing care for Veterans. Having treated countless patients harmed by alcohol and drugs, his observation that he had never seen a cannabis overdose led Dr. Tishler to delve deeply into the science of cannabis safety and treatment.
Dr. Tishler is a frequent speaker and author on a variety of topics related to the medical applications of cannabis. He is the President of the Association of Cannabis Specialists which aims to educate clinicians, lawmakers, and the industry about best practices and needed tools for proper patient care.
Nan Wise, PhD
Board Member
Dr. Nan Wise is a certified sex therapist, relationship specialist, neuroscience researcher, and author of Why Good Sex Matters: Understanding the Neuroscience of Pleasure for a Smarter, Happier, and More Purpose-Filled Life. Her dissertation work, Genital Stimulation, Imagery, and Orgasm in Women: An fMRI Analysis, resulted in three published studies. Her research has addressed gaps in the scientific literature regarding the neural basis of human sexuality and, as a result, garnered international attention.
Dr. Nan’s clinical approach addresses how the brain/body/mind operates, highlighting the critical role our evolutionarily wired-in, core, embodied emotions play in our physical and mental well-being. Imbalances in the core emotions have contributed to the epidemics of mood disorders, stress-related illnesses, and a widespread sexual recession.
Dr. Nan has discussed the pleasure crisis on The Today Show and contributed her expert opinion to outlets such as The BBC, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Time, Women’s Health, The Washington Post, HuffPost, Well + Good, Romper, Bustle, and has had a regular column in Glamour, Ask Dr. Nan in which she addresses sexual health and relationship topics. She lives in West Orange, NJ
Maureen Whelihan, MD
Board Member
Dr. Maureen Whelihan is a board-certified OB/GYN and a leading expert in gynecology and sexual medicine based in Palm Beach County, Florida. In practice since 1997, she is also a certified provider of medical cannabis evaluations. She is the author of Kiss and Tell: Secrets of Sexual Desire from Women 15 to 97.
Dr. Whelihan graduated Alpha Omega Alpha from the University of South Florida College of Medicine and completed her residency at University of Florida – Shands Jacksonville. She practices in Lake Worth, FL, where she co-founded the Center for Sexual Health and Education and most recently opened the Center for Modern Medicine, now based in Lake Worth, offering gynecology and medical cannabis services.
She is a Past President of both the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the Florida OB/GYN Society. Her media contributions include a series on XM Radio 160 (“Sexual Medicine and Health”), five years of monthly appearances on NBC’s Charlotte Today Show, and Blog Talk Radio.
A dedicated community physician, Dr. Whelihan has volunteered for Project Access since 2006. She has been honored with numerous awards, including the 2012 Women in Leadership Award (Executive Women of the Palm Beaches), “Woman of the Year” by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (2003), and recognition by the Lupus Foundation as one of Palm Beach County’s “Best and Brightest Women” (2009).
Ashley Manta
Board Member
Ashley Manta is an award-winning sex educator and coach and has become a sought-after authority on mindfully combining sex and cannabis as part of her CannaSexual® brand. She is the author of The CBD Solution: Sex, published in 2020 in conjunction with Merry Jane and Chronicle Books. She completed her certification as a Bodysex® Facilitator after studying with legendary pleasure pioneer Betty Dodson.
Ashley has presented at mainstream, adult, and cannabis events, including SXSW, American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) Conference, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, Oakland Psychedelic Conference, and the Cannabis Nurse Network Conference. She has been a guest lecturer and keynote speaker at Sex Week for colleges and universities across the country.
She was a contributing writer to Leafly.com from 2015-2017 and for Dope Magazine from 2016-2018. She wrote for Playboy as a Playboy Advisor. She has published over 250 articles on sex, cannabis, and altered states.
Ashley earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Women’s Studies and has completed graduate coursework for a Master of Arts in Philosophy. Ashley is a certified and attuned Reiki Master Practitioner, a certified consulting hypnotist, and a trauma-trained victim advocate.
Amanda Moser, MS
Board Member
Amanda Moser, MS is a sexologist and cannabis researcher specializing in how cannabis influences sexual functioning and satisfaction.
She is the lead researcher of a groundbreaking nationwide study, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, exploring the effects of cannabis on sexual functioning and satisfaction. Including participants aged 18 to 85, this study scientifically demonstrated that cannabis significantly increases arousal, orgasm (ability, intensity, and frequency), overall sexual satisfaction, and sensuality – specifically by heightening taste and touch. By addressing critical gaps in the literature, her work has advanced the scientific understanding of cannabis and its role in sexual wellness.
This research has gained worldwide media attention, with features in major outlets such as Forbes, Yahoo!, and The New York Times.
Amanda is a passionate educator, translating her research into practical use. She teaches individuals how the plant can enhance sexual pleasure and deepen intimacy, helping them explore new ways to elevate their sexual experiences.
Amanda writes a monthly educational blog for EngErotics, where she shares expert insights on cannabis, intimacy, and sexual wellness.
In addition to her work in cannabis and sexual health, Amanda is an IRB professional at the University of Denver, ensuring ethical standards in human research.