Tanesha Harrington, BBA - Freelance Business Consultant and Writer

12/19/2025

A recent Brazilian clinical trial, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and widely reported in December 2025, marks a groundbreaking development in exploring cannabis for Alzheimer’s treatment.

Researchers at the Federal University of Latin American Integration conducted a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving elderly patients aged 60-80 with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Building on prior animal studies showing low-dose THC restoring cognition in aged mice and a 2022 case report where microdosing improved symptoms in one patient over 22 months, this trial tested daily oral microdoses of a balanced cannabis extract containing approximately 0.3 mg THC and 0.3 mg CBD—far below psychoactive levels.

Over 24-26 weeks, the treatment group showed stabilized cognitive function, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while the placebo group experienced typical decline.

This pausing of progression represents the first human trial evidence of microdosing cannabinoids potentially halting Alzheimer’s-related cognitive deterioration without significant side effects.

Described as unprecedented, the approach leverages the endocannabinoid system’s role in neuroprotection, which naturally diminishes with age. Though promising, the study’s small sample size and limited scope to certain cognitive metrics highlight the need for larger, longer trials to confirm efficacy and safety.

Current Alzheimer’s therapies offer minimal benefit and often severe side effects, making this low-risk cannabinoid option a hopeful avenue amid rising dementia cases globally.

10/07/2025

Women's Healthcare is Healthcare! Read this article I published about the current dangerous delays in diagnosis and the possibility of higher quality care from women providers!

Let’s be completely honest with each other: period pain can be agonizing. As in, stay in bed, hoping and praying to whatever deity will…

01/07/2025

Check out my page on Fiverr to see how I can help you achieve your business goals! Connecting with those around us through shared stories is the greatest reward achieved from writing and I am proud to be able to utilize this medium to communicate, uplift, inform, and help others find belonging, both virtually and locally. I have had the honor of working with empowering professionals in a variety of industries, including mental health, cannabis, travel and accommodations, and more. While working with these companies, I've honed my writing and consulting abilities to better serve a wider audience. I excel at data analysis, content/creative/research writing, and brand design.

Connecting with those around us through shared stories is the greatest reward achieved from writing and I am proud to be able to utilize this medium to

12/10/2024

I am endlessly fascinated by the dynamics and reincarnation processes of global economics and how the actions of people and businesses can shape history.

Historically, Mercantilism bases its roots in the 1500s and is considered to have been brought about as a result of the Protestant reformation, (Carbaugh, 2018). The philosophy centers around the idea that the accumulation of wealth by individuals, or merchants, as well as that of governments, would

12/10/2024

Pro Tip: Clickbait sucks for doom-scrolling, but it's excellent for an impassioned writing prompt. 😁

08/19/2024

So... what exactly is it that I do? Sure, the "Intro" section explains it, but those are some mumbo jumbo sounding lexiconic words if ever there were any. I think it's time to explain it in clearer terms. Simply put, I take data - like revenue, costs, customer demographic, time sheets, employee compensation, etc. - and I compile it into a spreadsheet, sort through the relevant information that most pertains to your business goals, and I analyze business history and trends to make future decisions that benefit your small and growing business for the long-term. If you're interested in seeing what a report from me would look like, check this out!

EXAMPLE
This problem seeks to predict the number of calls received by a call center in 2023 based on data from the past four years. The information being investigated can be found in the data file, Final_Written_2.xlsx (Camm, Fry, Cochran, and Ohlmann, 2021).

Table 1 contains a list of the different approaches attempted in Excel (Excel, 2021) to obtain the most appropriate model.

Table 1
Forecasting Models

Table 1 depicts the Mean Absolute Error for the attempted approaches and has been shaded according to accuracy. The results illustrate a wide range of possible forecasts and errors, with the least accurate being Average of Past Values and the most accurate being Seasonal with Trend. This means that a multiple regression analysis with dummy variables and accounting for time period will predict how many calls received by the company within approximately 1047 calls.

Expounding on the most accurate forecasting model of Seasonal with Trend, the equation for this method is as follows. It is denoted Equation 1 and produces forecast values for 2023 found in Table 2.

Equation 1: y ̂ = 36455.21 - 15137.7x1 - 15293.4x2 - 18111.6x3 - 15404.7x4 - 13760.4x5 - 13041x6 - 12196.7x7 - 10452.4x8 - 8233.02x9 - 5963.68x10 - 2244.34x11 + 330.66x12

Table 2
2023 Call Volume Forecast Values

Table 2 corresponds with the following line chart (Graph 2) which illustrates visually the seasonality of the past values and the future predictions of the model.

Graph 2
Actual and Forecasted Call Volume

Graph 2 depicts accurate predictions of actual past call volume when modeled according to Equation 1, including seasonality and upward trend in tandem with time period.

I believe this is the most appropriate model because it has the lowest MAE compared to all other known approaches, and because when graphed, it visually captures and overlaps the patterns found in the historical data.

References:
Camm, J., Fry, M., Cochran, J., and Ohlmann, J. (2021). Business Analytics: Descriptive,
Predictive, Prescriptive. Fourth Edition. Cengage: Boston.

Excel. (2021). Software Package. Microsoft: Redmond.

08/19/2024

The biggest question on my mind this fall is, "Will we get to see a Wednesday season 2?!?!?!" I am simply dying to see what happens next!!!

Here is Part 2 of the Netflix case study for their strategy to remain relevant in an ever more competitive industry. Do you think they will stay on top?

Tanesha Harrington
July 9, 2023
Netflix Case Study

Netflix - Status Update

Introduction

As stated in the previous segment of this study, the most interesting strategy points for Netflix, in my opinion, are related to the in-house creation and production of original content for their globally extensive, regionally and demographically specific, online streaming libraries, along with their tiered subscription plans. Though the decision to reduce financial obligations to outside suppliers and partner with foreign media companies to produce original content has generally been considered successful for the company in helping to avoid increasing licensing fees, the costs for doing so have remained substantial. However, despite the progressively questionable debt to asset ratio of Netflix, the perceived value of the global company somehow continues to increase.

Costs of Creating Content

Exhibit 6 from the study shows the Total Revenues for Netflix between 2015 and 2019 for global company segments. The graphic illustrates the steadily increasing revenue from each region and details the average monthly revenue per paid subscriber, which resulted in negative international cash flows until 2018. When compared to the spending costs associated with creating original content, found in Graphic 1, it is important to note that creation and production utilized finances in excess of total revenues until 2019. Graphic 2 illustrates that only in 2020, when COVID-19 prompted a record number of new subscribers and displaced employees in the entertainment production industry, was Netflix able to generate greater revenue than content spending. and these trends currently continue with content creation spending at approximately half of total revenues.

Graphic 1 (Stoll, 2023):

Graphic 2 (Macrotrends, 2023):

Cost per Customer vs Subscription Plan

Exhibit 5 illustrates the 2015-2019 average cost of revenues in each segment of the company. The cost per revenues relative to the revenue generated per subscription in 2019 was approximately $72 compared to the mere $10 in income. This showed that Netflix was paying more to provide streaming services to its customers than the customers were paying for the service. Since increased revenues and decreased debt beginning in 2020, this issue is no longer a problem.

The Perceived Value of Netflix vs the Actual Value

One quote from the case hooked my attention and it was from CEO Hastings himself, “We will continue to raise debt as needed to fund our increase in original content.” It seems like such a simple and straightforward thing to say, and yet it spurred some interesting thoughts. The total current debt to equity ratio of Netflix, as of March 2023, stands at 0.64—the lowest it’s been since the year end of 2014. It reached its peak mid-year of 2019, standing at 2.06. Netflix provides a service that officially reaches 190 countries around the world and has been at the forefront of online streaming innovation for decades. They will likely remain a key competitive member of the video streaming industry for a very long time because they have shown their ability to disrupt an industry for competitive gain. Though they continue to sustain debt and refuse to pay dividends to shareholders (Macrotrends, 2023), their perceived value continues to grow exponentially.

Resources

Netflix revenue 2010-2023: NFLX. Macrotrends. (2023). https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/NFLX/netflix/revenue
Stoll, J. (2023, May 22). Netflix: Content spend 2022. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/964789/netflix-content-spend-worldwide/

08/19/2024

What's your favorite guilty pleasure show on Netflix? I'll admit, I love Bridgerton!

Here's the first of a two-part report on Netflix and their strategy for remaining relevant. What do you think?

Tanesha Harrington
July 2, 2023
Netflix Case Study

Netflix -What’s Changed?

Introduction

Netflix has always been the leading innovator of the subscription video streaming industry. Their strategy, designed and implemented by CEO Reed Hastings, demands well-planned alliances, careful review of customer interaction trends—concurrent with potential opportunities in technological trends, and a willingness to pursue some risky investments. Though their methods have incurred a hefty amount of criticism, Netflix has become a household name in countries across the world and remains an intense competitor in an industry they had a hand in creating. Instead of remaining content with their standing as founders and stagnating as competition intensified, Netflix has made some surprising moves in their mission to command the market for online streaming. The three most interesting strategic changes at Netflix are: their creation of original content relevant to the viewing preferences of global audiences, their alliances with local networks and production companies in countries to which they expand, and their low-cost price plan for customers in developing countries that rely mainly on their mobile devices for streaming services.

Creation of Original Content Relevant to the Viewing Preferences of Global Audiences

The first change initiated by Netflix that deserves ample investigation is their choice to create original content for their streaming library. This content is created based on data retrieved through their recommendation software and the demographic preferences of their viewers. The streaming trend started by Netflix soon became profitably problematic when suppliers of streaming content realized the value of their archives and began raising prices in response to greater demand. Soon, Netflix would be paying more for their library than they were making from subscriptions. The solution to this problem, for Netflix, was to create and produce original content to retain viewership and prevent subscribers from switching to rivals. Their efforts have resulted in almost 300 cinematic award nominations, over 80 wins, and some global box office hits resulting in publicity and a measure of success that speaks for itself.

Alliances with Local Networks and Production Companies in Countries to Which They Expand

Netflix took this strategy even further when they began to make alliances with regional film and television producers to create content relevant to the audiences of local countries. The recommendation software utilized by Netflix to create a more valuable streaming experience for customers also enlightened executives to the need for culturally responsive programming to maximize global integration and local customer satisfaction and retention. This has dramatically promoted cross-cultural viewing of their content and increased brand appeal to dubious customers worldwide. Their creativity, not just for creating original content, but for allying themselves with key producers of local networks has allowed them to reach audiences that were previously unobtainable.

Low-Cost Price Plan for Customers in Developing Countries that Rely Mainly on Their Mobile Devices for Streaming Services

Another important move initiated by Netflix was their decision to branch into developing countries via low-cost streaming services made available strictly on mobile devices, a rapidly growing source of reliable internet connection around the world. This strategy allows Netflix to capitalize on the beginning stages of regular internet use and streaming capabilities in developing countries, thereby establishing brand awareness and readiness for when technological advancement allows for more widespread adoption of their services. By stoking brand awareness and loyalty during the beginning stages of technological development in foreign markets, Netflix solidifies their future as a marked competitive member of growing entertainment industries.

Conclusion

The changes I am most interested in following for the next segment are Netflix’s alliances with foreign local production companies and their mobile-only subscription plans targeting audiences in developing countries. The article mentions a film made in Brazil for the Portuguese speaking global audience, that transcended cultural and geographic borders and has become a global hit.

Resources
Netflix revenue 2010-2023: NFLX. Macrotrends. (2023). https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/NFLX/netflix/revenue
Stoll, J. (2023, May 22). Netflix: Content spend 2022. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/964789/netflix-content-spend-worldwide/

How much does Netflix spend on content? In 2023, Netflix's budget was 13 billion USD, down from the previous year.

08/18/2024

Cannabis is just one of the many industries in which I have interest and experience! Here's a short report I submitted about the international economic opportunities for CBD grown right here on the Western Slope!

Cannabidiol International Report:
From the Western Slope to the World
by Tanesha Harrington
April 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD), is a phytocannabinoid isolated compound derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Once outlawed for decades due to misconstrued connotations propagated by the media, modern medical science has since discovered an array of benefits associated with the consumption of the product, including a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and even some types of seizures, (Devinsky, et. al., 2014). The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 fully descheduled low-TCH (less than 0.3% THC- the byproduct of combustion that creates intoxication) cannabis products from the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. While certain functional properties derived from the cannabis plant remain highly illegal in many places around the world, the non-intoxicating cannabidiol isolate is now domestically sanctioned for use and consumption in 44 US states, 4 territories, and the District of Columbia. Internationally, over 50 countries worldwide allow CBD, including France, Brazil, and China, though regulation of the isolate in these countries is much more strictly enforced than in the United States, (CBD Legal Map, 2023). Since legalization, manufacturing companies have been in a race to see who will be the leader of this rapidly expanding and extremely lucrative global market.

One such contender from the Western Slope is EcoGen BioSciences– a cannabis genetics, farming, extraction, refinement, and product manufacturing company located in Grand Junction, Colorado. In their own words, “EcoGen BioSciences is a world leader in the farming, production and manufacturing of h**p-based ingredients and raw materials, using sustainable farming practices to ensure quality CBD products are accessible to mainstream consumers,” (EcoGen BioSciences, 2021). They achieved an ISO 9001 – 2015 quality standard from the Internal Organization of Standards for global recognition of quality and BRC Global Standards Certification. The company consists of just under 100 employees, 160,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses, 100,000 sq. ft. of production, R&D, and processing space, and 570 acres of farmland, (EcoGen BioSciences, 2021). The Western Slope of Colorado is known for its agriculture—from Olathe Sweet Corn to Colorado-grown wine grapes and beer hops. Capitalizing on the cultivation of cannabis in the area just makes sense.

France is currently the world’s third-largest h**p producer and the largest in Europe. Many people are unaware that h**p has been used to produce fiber for ship sails and clothing, oils, food, and medicine for thousands of years and is still used for these purposes in many parts of the world. It was even an influential factor in the strategies of the Napoleonic Wars, (Crosby, 1961). Bans on the plant for consumption were not implemented until the late 1920s in Europe. Recently, however, according to Forbes, in December 2022 the French Council of State ruled to lift a ban on the sale of CBD flowers following the ruling to lift the ban on CBD altogether in 2021, (Biopharma, 2023). The conditions for cultivation in France are similar to those in the US, with THC limits set at 0.3%, except that it must be sold as a food additive instead of a health supplement. Since that time, 400 CBD stores have opened for business and sales are expected to reach nearly $300 million in 2024, (Sabaghi, 2023). Other projections from multiple sources suggest that global CBD and cannabis sales will double over the next ten years, (CBD Consumer Health Market, 2024). Businesses hoping to be first among those entering the market are warned though, that French regulations on the import of CBD are considerably stricter than those in other parts of the European Union and they are advised to partner with locals or border countries to establish an international foothold. For example, EcoGen BioSciences has partnered with Dushey Med Lt., a European Industrial H**p Association (EIHA) member, to supply a warehouse in London, UK that also distributes to France, (EcoGen BioSciences, 2021).

According to the USDA, “Brazil imported US$ 90.4 million of cannabidiol (CBD) from 2010 to August 2020, with the United States responsible for 14 percent of the total (US$ 12.7 million). In 2019, the United States had its best export performance, exporting US$ 2.6 million CBD to Brazil and accounting for 22 percent of the total,” (Brazil, 2020). Cannabis cultivation for the purpose of research and development on a medical level is a growing national industry for Brazil. In addition, EcoGen BioSciences of Western Colorado, a subsidiary of Kadenwood, has launched a rebranding of their CannaMeds division in San Paolo to become EcoGen Brazil, (EcoGen BioSciences, 2021). Representatives of the Brazilian branch of EcoGen work together with local doctors to prescribe CBD to patients who can benefit the most from its use. CBD is available via prescription only and is not available to consumers in any other manner. However, political discussions and votes about the growth and sale of cannabis remain a highly relevant subject in Brazilian government as research, studies, and development into the possible medical benefits of cannabis are encouraged, (Devinsky, et. al., 2014).

Cannabis can trace its history back to the birth of agriculture, through ancient times in China, India, the Middle East, and Africa, and alongside the development of human civilization. In fact, China has been the world’s leading producer of cannabis for over 6000 years, specifically cannabis chinensis delile, for its versatility as a fiber and its use in textiles, (Plants of the World Online, 2024). Currently, cannabis cultivation in China is a highly regulated activity and is strictly for the purpose of industrial h**p and government-supervised research for some medicines. The public sale or trade of CBD by a foreign company in China is highly unlikely in the future after zero-tolerance bans of the isolate in all products in 2022, (De Guzman, 2023).

*Resources*
Biopharma, G. (2023, September 26). Cannabinoid laws in France. GVB Biopharma. https://www.gvbbiopharma.com/cannabinoid-laws-in-france/
Brazil: Brazil’s initial h**p report. (2020, September 28). USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. https://fas.usda.gov/data/brazil-brazils-initial-h**p-report
Cannabis chinensis Delile | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. (2024, May). Plants of the World Online. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:850876-1
Cannabis Legalization World Map: 2024 Updated – Business Plan templates. (2024, May 14). https://cannabusinessplans.com/cannabis-legalization-map/
CBD Consumer Health Market size to hit USD 69.72 BN by 2033. (2024, May 14). https://www.precedenceresearch.com/cbd-consumer-health-market
CBD Legal Map | Where is CBD Legal in the World & States. (2023, November 27). Neurogan. https://neurogan.com/blogs/legal
Crosby, A. W. (1961). America, Russia, h**p, and Napoleon: a study of trade between the United States and Russia, 1783-1814. https://open.bu.edu/handle/2144/26782
De Guzman / Hong Kong, C. (2023, February 1). CBD tends to perplex regulators. Hong Kong’s new ban reinforces Asia’s strict drug approach. TIME. https://time.com/6251453/hong-kong-cbd-ban-facts/
Devinsky, O., Cilio, M. R., Cross, H., Fernandez‐Ruiz, J., French, J., Hill, C., Katz, R., Di Marzo, V., Jutras‐Aswad, D., Notcutt, W. G., Martinez‐Orgado, J., Robson, P. J., Rohrback, B. G., Thiele, E., Whalley, B., & Friedman, D. (2014). Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Epilepsia, 55(6), 791–802. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12631

Ecogen Biosciences. (2021, May 22). International cbd genetics,cbd manufacturer - Ecogenbiosciences. EcoGen BioSciences. https://ecogenbiosciences.com/international-business/
EcoGen Biosciences - Overview, News & Similar companies | ZoomInfo.com. (2024, May). ZoomInfo. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/ecogen-labs/467330565
Oshiro, C. A., & Castro, L. H. M. (2022). Cannabidiol and epilepsy in Brazil: a current review. Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria, 80(5 suppl 1), 182–192. https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2022-s137
Sabaghi, D. (2023, January 6). France’s court overturns government ban on sale of CBD flowers. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2023/01/05/frances-court-overturns-government-ban-on-sale-of-cbd-flowers/?sh=7475eb1b44c1

A French court has overturned the government's ban on the sale of CBD flowers, paving the way for a lucrative market that has been held back by strict legislation in recent years.