Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan never imagined she’d end up at the crossroads of scientific discovery and motherhood, but life often takes unexpected turns.
A Filipino-Canadian scientist, educator, mother of five, and now a leader in cannabis medicine, Dr. Annabelle’s journey is one of resilience and innovation.
In 2016, her life took a drastic change when her third child, Macario, was diagnosed with a condition that caused up to 200 seizures a day.
At just 28 days old, Macario underwent a nine-hour brain surgery that left little hope for his recovery.
Traditional treatments weren’t working, and as a mother and scientist, Dr. Annabelle began searching for an alternative.
The Search for a Better Solution
As a cell and developmental biologist with a background in neuroscience, Dr. Annabelle wasn’t going to settle for conventional methods.
She dove into research, exploring options outside of the norm. When she came across cannabis as a potential solution for epilepsy, she was intrigued.
But after testing available CBD products, she found them lacking. The products were inconsistent, and the lack of transparency pushed her to create something she could trust
Drawing on her scientific background, Dr. Annabelle formulated an effective CBD oil, focusing on creating a solution that would support Macario’s brain and offer better results than what was available on the market.
A Miracle in the Making
Just three days after introducing the CBD oil, Dr. Annabelle saw positive changes in Macario. His seizures began to decrease, and he started making developmental milestones that no one thought possible.
By 14 months old, he was crawling and eventually walking.
His progress far exceeded the doctors’ expectations, and his recovery became a testament to the power of targeted, scientifically-backed cannabis medicine.
Dr. Annabelle knew that what worked for Macario could work for others.
This success gave her the confidence to further explore cannabis as a legitimate treatment for other medical conditions.
The Birth of Masaya: A Mission to Heal
Inspired by Macario’s recovery, Dr. Annabelle founded Masaya Medical Inc. in 2019, with the goal of producing high-quality, scientifically-backed cannabis products.
The company’s name, Masaya, meaning “happy” in Tagalog, reflects both Macario’s journey and the family’s renewed sense of joy after such a difficult time.
Unlike many CBD products flooding the market, Masaya focuses on precision-based, research-driven solutions. Dr. Annabelle’s background in neuroscience informs the way she develops cannabis treatments.
Her goal is to ensure that every product is grounded in scientific evidence, building trust with doctors, pharmacists, and patients alike.
Overcoming Obstacles and Gaining Trust
Starting Masaya was not easy. There were many obstacles—one of the biggest being the difficulty of sourcing hemp-derived CBD in Tennessee, where cannabis was still not widely accepted.
But Dr. Annabelle’s passion and belief in her mission kept her moving forward, even when others doubted her.
“We didn’t just want to make products to sell—we wanted to make a real difference,” she says firmly.
And she did. Today, Masaya CBD 3000, one of their most popular products, stands as a pure, potent solution designed to target neuroprotection.
It crosses the blood-brain barrier without interacting negatively with other medications, offering a faster, more efficient way to heal.
Still, Dr. Annabelle is careful with her message, emphasizing that CBD is not a cure-all. “It has to be used carefully, and it’s not right for everyone,” she admits. “But when it works, it works wonders.”
Changing the Conversation Around Cannabis Medicine
Dr. Annabelle is now on a mission to change the narrative around cannabis medicine.
She’s not just advocating for more research, but for a fundamental shift in the way people view the potential of the cannabis plant. “Science is science,” she says.
“Data are data. We need to work with doctors, scientists, and families to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and holistic healing.”
Her work is already changing minds. Through clinical trials and global research initiatives, Dr. Annabelle is leading the charge to prove that cannabis—specifically CBD—can be a game-changer for treating conditions like chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, and even autism.
“The brain is so plastic, and the research is lacking,” she explains. “So many people could be helped with conditions like anxiety and depression, too. I just want to see people live better lives.”
Family First: A Personal and Professional Legacy
Despite her success, Dr. Annabelle’s ultimate motivation remains her family. “Being successful for my children is my biggest motivator,” she says with a smile.
As a wife to her entrepreneurial husband, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, and mother to five kids, Dr. Annabelle shows that even in the face of adversity, it’s love and family that truly drive her.
Her son Macario—the little boy who inspired her entire journey—continues to thrive. “He’s still on CBD, and he’s doing great,” Dr. Annabelle shares proudly.
“But he still asks me to take him to Chuck E. Cheese every chance he gets!”
As she continues to push the boundaries of cannabis research, Dr. Annabelle’s story is proof that sometimes, life’s hardest challenges lead to the most meaningful breakthroughs.
