When Debra Dullaghan hit a wall with prescription medications and the emotional weight of a difficult life chapter, she turned to an unexpected remedy: CBD.
What began as a personal experiment evolved into 55plus CBD, a brand dedicated to helping older adults navigate wellness with clarity, confidence, and a THC-free guarantee.
In this conversation with Cannabis & Tech Today, Dullaghan shares how her own transformation sparked a mission to empower others, why education is key, and how co-founding the company with her son brought generational insight to every product and message.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Cannabis & Tech Today: Your journey to founding 55plus CBD began with personal health challenges. How did your experience with chronic pain and sleeplessness shape your mission, and what changes did you see that convinced you CBD could be a long-term solution?
Debra Dullaghan: It kind of crept up on me. One day I looked around and realized I was dealing with a lot all at once—joint pain, sleepless nights, anxiety. Menopause hit hard, I lost my mom, my son had just left for college, the house felt too quiet, and my marriage was unraveling. It was this perfect storm of emotional and physical strain. I tried all kinds of prescriptions that were supposed to help, but the side effects were often worse than what I was trying to fix.
All of these dead ends led me to begin learning about CBD. I was skeptical at first, but over time, I noticed real changes. I was sleeping through the night again. My anxiety eased up. The joint pain that used to wake me up in the morning was gone.
That’s when it clicked. I kept thinking, “I can’t be the only one” and if it can do this for me, maybe it can help others too. That’s really where the idea for 55plus CBD was born.
C&T Today: As a leader for older adults in the cannabis space, what unique responsibilities or opportunities do you feel come with creating a THC-free, age-specific wellness brand?
DD: The 55+ demographic is often overlooked. Many brands say we’re their audience, but few actually connect with us. Older adults aren’t always on the same platforms or using the same tools as younger people, so outreach needs to be different and we’re committed to finding a way.
There’s also a lingering stigma around cannabis. Many people in our generation still associate it with getting high, and they don’t realize the difference between CBD and THC. That’s why we created a THC-free brand—to offer clear, trusted solutions without the fear or confusion.
C&T Today: You’re co-founding with your son Collin. How does your family relationship influence decisions around product development, marketing, and customer engagement?
DD: Working with Collin has been a gift. We’re at different life stages—he’s 28, I’m 60—but that brings balance. I bring the experience of our core audience. Collin brings fresh ideas, marketing savvy, and a passion for wellness.
When we evaluate products, I ask: “Would I take this every day? Would it actually help someone like me?” Collin ensures we’re clearly communicating the benefits and building trust through education. It’s a partnership built on love and mutual respect.
C&T Today: What trends are you most excited about in the next 2–3 years?
DD: I’m really excited about how wellness is moving beyond just CBD. That’s where I started too—but now we’re seeing real interest in other cannabinoids like CBN for sleep and CBG for mental clarity. It’s a game-changer, especially for the 55+ community.
More older adults are turning to cannabis as a personalized wellness tool, and it’s been amazing to see how adding these minor cannabinoids can really elevate daily life. I’ve experienced it myself and love helping others do the same.
