Women in Cannabis

Women in Cannabis

The cannabis industry has experienced significant growth due to the legalization of cannabis in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. One undeniable fact is that the expansion has seen more women join the workforce and occupy leadership positions in the industry. Women occupy nearly 40% of leadership positions in the cannabis industry. This is remarkably high. In our quest to encourage more women to join this great industry, we will examine the expanding role of women and the particular challenges they encounter. We'll also look at how women have impacted the industry and what the future holds for them. Keep reading to find out more about women in cannabis.

Historical Context 

Women have always contributed significantly to the field of herbal medicine. Herbalism was frequently viewed as "women's work," and many women were skilled in using plants as medicines. In many homes and communities, women served as the primary caregivers.

Women were early innovators in the cannabis industry as well. We can't talk about women in cannabis without mentioning Dr. Mary Jane Rathbun, also known as "Brownie Mary." This great woman became famous in the 1970s for her marijuana brownies, which she baked and distributed to AIDS patients in San Francisco.

Alice B. Toklas is another female pioneer in the industry. She published "The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook," which had a recipe for "Haschich Fudge," a sweet infused with cannabis.

Michka Seeliger-Chatelain is a French author and activist who started supporting marijuana in the 1970s. She also created the House of Hemp, an advocacy and education facility for cannabis in Paris.

Women Entrepreneurs in the Cannabis Industry

Women are starting more companies in the cannabis sector than ever before, and many of them are developing ground-breaking brands and products that are revolutionizing the market.

A notable woman-owned brand is CBD Luxe. The brand was founded by Danette May and specializes in high-quality CBD products such as tinctures, vape pens, and topicals.

Jane West, the creator of Jane West, a lifestyle brand that sells a range of cannabis products and accessories, is another prominent female entrepreneur in the sector.

Of course, our own Caitlin and Callie Craumer who run the day-to-day operations of all three Callie's Dispensaries. 

Despite the success of these businesses, female entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry face many challenges. For example, access to funding can be difficult for women-owned businesses, as investors may be hesitant to invest in a "controversial" industry. Additionally, women may face discrimination and bias in the industry, with some investors or business partners assuming that women are less knowledgeable or capable than men.

Empowerment through Education and Advocacy

Cannabis education aids in the elimination of stigmas associated with it. As a result, women use education and advocacy to help themselves and others make informed decisions about cannabis use. They are also employing this strategy to promote positive change in the industry.

Women Grow, for example, is a cannabis advocacy group run by women for women. It was founded in 2014 by Jane West and Jazmin Hupp to provide a space for women to connect, network, and learn about the cannabis industry. Cannaclusive is another notable female-led cannabis advocacy organization that seeks to advance inclusion, equity, and diversity in the industry. Another excellent example of an advocacy group led by women in cannabis is Supernova Women. Three black women founded the business intending to enable them to take the helm of the cannabis sector.

These groups support the safe distribution of cannabis products and their responsible use and changing how people view marijuana.

Representation and Diversity in the Cannabis Space

We have seen more women in cannabis take on significant leadership roles as the legal cannabis industry expands.

In 2017, the year Marijuana Business Daily published "Women & Minorities in the Marijuana Industry," women held 37% of executive-level positions in the industry. Research presented in a recent white paper by the National Cannabis Industry Association and the Arcview Group showed that businesses with women in leadership positions were more profitable than those without them. Additionally, companies led by them generate more money per dollar invested than those without them.

These figures demonstrate the ongoing need for greater equity and representation for women in the cannabis industry.

Women in Cannabis Research and Innovation

Women are significantly advancing cannabis research and innovation, fostering advancements and breakthroughs in the industry. They are investigating the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its effects on various conditions to create new treatments.

For example, Dr. Sue Sisley is a recognized authority on medical marijuana and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a prominent female researcher who has pioneered research on cannabis' potential as a PTSD treatment. She has also been a vocal supporter of increasing the amount of research done on cannabis use for PTSD treatment.

Women are also driving innovation in the cannabis industry and are researching new applications for cannabis in industries like skincare and wellness. They are also creating new products such as edibles, topicals, and vaporizers.

Cannabis researcher Dr. Jahan Marcu is an authority on cannabis testing and quality assurance and has created new testing techniques that can identify contaminants in those products. Her innovative approaches ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products.

Another example is Aunt Zelda's, a medical marijuana business founded by Mara Gordon. This business focuses on developing unique cannabis treatments for patients with serious medical conditions. Unique cannabis formulations that Gordon and her team created have benefited patients with illnesses like cancer, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.

The Future of Women in Cannabis 

The number of women working in the cannabis industry will continue to increase. This is thanks to the need for research and entrepreneurs. We will likely witness more and more women taking up leadership roles and being drivers of disruptive change. All said and done, the future of women in cannabis is bright!

Conclusion

Women in cannabis have played an essential role in ensuring the sector's advancement. We have seen women pioneer the use of cannabis to treat illnesses previously unresponsive to conventional medicine. Today, many of these women have established businesses and brands that manufacture and market high-quality goods. They have also been instrumental in cannabis research and incredible innovations. Let's all work together to encourage women and speak out in favor of their professional success. We can't afford to ignore their role in the industry.