we speak cannabis.

Welcome to the premier source for medicinal cannabis in Illinois. We exist to make it simple and easy for qualified patients to get safe access to the highest quality information and expertise.

You can visit elevele® in Highland Park, IL as of March 23, 2016. You’ll find there is no lingo. No code words. No hype.
Just sincere, medicinal cannabis experts with a customized approach to your care in a clean, safe, secure and supportive environment.

For many years, medicinal cannabis has been misunderstood. We’re here to bring a sensible and informed perspective to your care.
Learn for yourself and discover a great experience with experts that can help you find your level.

Meet Our

Expert TEAM

Paul Nowacki

GENERAL MANAGER

Paul is an integral member of the management team at Elevele. A native of Northbrook, Illinois, Paul’s interest in the medical marijuana industry began after taking a pharmacology course in college where he learned the in-depth medicinal benefits of marijuana and its numerous cannabinoids. After earning his psychology degree from the University of Iowa, Paul served as a top manager for the marketing department of an international liquor importer, followed by four years in the healthcare industry. During this time, his passion for medical marijuana drove him to begin researching on his own. He traveled between Illinois and Colorado over the next several years to learn as many aspects of the marijuana industry as possible. This experience allowed him opportunities for hands-on learning about cultivation, producing extracts and edibles, and developing exceptional product knowledge with a focus on quality. Paul’s vast, in-depth knowledge of different cannabis strains and consumption methods provides patients at Elevele with an exceptional level of care that addresses both their medical and emotional concerns. Paul currently resides in Highland Park, Illinois and in his free time enjoys exercise, fly fishing, and traveling with his family.

Jack Weiss

ASSISTANT MANAGER

As the assistant manager, Jack is invested in providing a wide variety of different products to cater to the needs of all of Elevele’s patients. Jack has been a Highland Park resident since 1999. He studied at College of Lake County with a focus in psychology. Jack’s passion for medical cannabis started in 2016. His father decided to join the Illinois medical cannabis pilot program after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for many years. After joining the program, his father had shown significant improvement in symptom management. When Jack saw all the relief that cannabis had provided for his father, he decided that he would obtain a medical cannabis card as well to treat his PTSD and depression. After personally using medical cannabis, Jack discovered that it relieved his symptoms more efficiently and effectively than conventional pharmaceuticals. In his free time, Jack enjoys glassblowing or spending time with friends and family. As a caregiver, Jack is accustomed to helping all those in need and is happy to do so.

Akemi Almeida

AGENT-IN-CHARGE

Akemi is a Communications Studies and Hospitality Leadership graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, IL. Her journey with cannabis primarily took off in college when she joined Students for Sensible Drug Policy and learned about the systematic issues of the war on drugs. She went on to intern with a Chicagoland local CBD company called Alternative Vibes. Her path eventually led her to southwest Colorado for the summer after graduating college to work at Chimney Rock Organic Hemp Farm where she pursued her love for cultivating. Wanting to be closer to friends and family, she made her way back home where she now humbly serves the patients of Elevele. She is enrolled at College of Lake County now pursuing her Associates in Science in Horticulture Production to better her knowledge of cannabis cultivation. Akemi also takes pride in being a part of the non-profit organizations Chicago Psychedelic Club, Illinois Women in Cannabis, and Chicago Recovery Alliance. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new forest preserves, running shows with her company she created, going to concerts, and simply spending quality time with her close friends.

Brendan Striegl

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Brendan grew up in Northbrook where he currently resides. He returned to Illinois after spending 4 years at the University of Colorado-Boulder where he studied Business Management. It was during this time that he became very interested in and more knowledgeable about the uses of cannabis to treat a wide variety of medical conditions. His personal interest in the field of medical cannabis was later strengthened when his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As a patient care representative, Brendan is dedicated to helping others and using his knowledge to educate others. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Daniel Gabay

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Daniel grew up in Highland Park where he currently resides. He spent most of his life in Illinois where he went to College of Lake County and studied business. He got interested in the medical cannabis industry when he learned that THC and CBD working together works really well in order to help treat his Grandfather’s Parkinson’s disease and severe fibromyalgia. As a patient care representative, Daniel is passionate about helping others and using his knowledge to educate others. When he isn’t working as a PCR, he likes to channel his creative side by creating & repairing jewelry at his jewelry shop.

Carla Olvera

SUPERVISOR

Carla grew up in the Northwest Suburb of Carpentersville, IL. She is currently enrolled at Elgin Community College working through an Associates in Science with a focus on Chemistry and Psychology. While enrolled in a variety of Psychology courses she became very interested in Cannabis, its impact on human behavior, and how it can alter the body’s chemistry to find relief. After two intensive knee surgeries and years of physical therapy, it has led Carla to find an alternative to opiates to manage her pain and depression with Medical Cannabis. Through the Chicago Psychedelic Club and attending cannabis outreach/education events, she has become very passionate about educating and reducing stigma in communities highly impacted by the War on Drugs. Aside from helping patients find relief, she also works as a Barista providing a variety of drinks for everyone to start their day with. In her free time, Carla loves to go hiking, running, and working on photography.

Sophia Sutor

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Sophia is a Driehaus School of Business graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, IL. She started off her work with those most deserving by working at different animal rescues in Chicago. The world changed for her after finding Students for Sensible Drug Policy, opening up many outlets to fight the war on drugs. Here at Elevele, she can combine her compassion for helping others with her passion for cannabis. It continues to push her to change stigma behind drug use with fact based education. In her free time she enjoys doing anything outdoors, from hiking to camping to festivals.

Dezmond Lookis

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Dez grew up in the Skokie area where he still resides. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when he was 3 and since then has gone through any all medications to help manage the disease and in hopes of finding remission. It wasn’t until he turned 21 and started to take cannabis a little more seriously and began to use cannabis to help with his Crohn’s. Unfortunately back then, cannabis wasn’t looked at the same way as it is now so it was difficult to get people in Illinois on board but he stood his ground and stayed and eventually found his way to Elevele through the pilot program. His whole life all he has wanted to do was to get the message out there and help people in any way possible and being at Elevele he feels like he has found his purpose. In his free time, he loves to play/watch sports and spend time with family and friends.

Meghan Murrin

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Meghan’s experience with cannabis has ranged widely over the years. After getting sober at 17, she initially refused to view cannabis medically so she could maintain her sobriety. However, after using a variety of medications, she found that they held disastrous results for her life. In an act of desperation, she transitioned from her medications to cannabis and began an incredible journey of healing. She enrolled in the pioneering courses at Oakton Community College, got her medical card, and began absorbing as much knowledge as she could. Her ultimate goal is to change the conversation about cannabis as a gateway drug, and direct focus onto cannabis as an exit drug for opioid addiction. In addition to the courses she took, Meghan also has worked a myriad of customer service jobs, including running a comic shop and managing a music venue, but her favorite is here at Elevele where she is able to provide the comfort and relief to patients that took her years for find for herself. Meghan can read one Harry Potter Book in less than 22 hours, fluent in Latin, and is faster than most snakes. When she’s not working, Meghan enjoys reading comics, exploring the Skokie Lagoons, complaining about Game of Thrones, and listening to Fall Out Boy.

Arianna Olson

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Arianna was born and raised in South-East Wisconsin. She began her journey at Elevele after transitioning from her management position at a head shop, becoming your go-to for all of your paraphernalia questions! She is new to Illinois, but not to its cannabis program. Her family and friends have been involved as patients and employees in the industry for years. While observing, it did not take long to see the life changing benefits for so many people around her! Struggling to find a balance in her own life, battling with PTSD and anxiety, she found a regimen of her own that continues to help her with nightmares, migraines, and nausea. Arianna uses her knowledge and enthusiasm to create a helpful and positive experience for patients. She spends her free time taking care of her pets, participating in any form of karaoke, and learning new recipes!

Peter Sterna

PATIENT CARE REPRESENTATIVE

Peter grew up in the Lake County area and has been here all his life. He graduated from Lake Forest High School and then went on to pursue courses at College of Lake County for Psychology and Horticulture. Peter has a passion for helping others and previously worked at a non-profit organization called Gift of Adoption. He also worked at a car audio shop called Mobile Electronics for many years. His fervor for cannabis specifically grew at an early age when he began to be plagued by insomnia, and after trying numerous remedies he discovered that cannabis was by far the most effective and least invasive to a healthy lifestyle. As an entheogen enthusiast, Peter enjoys being in nature combined with good music, but as a man who loves computers Peter also enjoys spending his time locked up in a cozy room with his tower and a good RPG.