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10 Women Making Waves in the Cannabis Industry

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Warning: This information is for educational purposes only. We are not medical professionals, and no information on this website should be construed as medical advice. For more information please view our Medical Disclaimer. Please consult a medical professional if you are considering consuming cannabis products.

Women are underrepresented in the cannabis field, especially in board rooms where critical decisions are made. A recent report published by the Arcview Group and the National Cannabis Industry Association found that less than 10% of cannabis CEOs are women. Despite this dismal figure, several women beat all odds to make a mark in the male-dominated industry. Here are the top five to watch in 2022.

1. Media: Celeste Miranda

Media is indeed integral to the development of any industry. Without this, it is nearly impossible to achieve significant growth. Celeste is the CEO of Mace Media Magazine, which covers the four vital sectors of the cannabis industry. The magazines are:

  • Terpenes & Testing
  • Extraction Magazine
  • CBD Health & Wellness
  • The Cannabinoid Journal

It will be interesting to watch the pivotal role that cannabis journalism will play in moving this industry to the next level. And in that case, Celeste Miranda is one woman to watch.

2. Cannabinoid Science: Christina Sanchez

Christina represents “women in science” for the cannabis industry thanks to her trailblazing studies on the anti-tumor effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Her research has indicated the potential value of phytocannabinoids in fighting cancer cells. It is such groundbreaking studies that will propel the industry to unprecedented levels. Women like Christina Sanchez are a force to reckon with. 

3. Dispensary Entrepreneur: Wanda James

Wanda James is a common name in the industry, having been the first black woman to run a legal cannabis dispensary in the US. Her dispensary, Simply Pure, is an established and reputable cannabis brand with operations in and out of Colorado. She is also actively involved in advocating for social justice and equity in the industry. She stands out as a role model to many young women of color aspiring to join the industry. 

4. Education: Maha Haq

The many years of cannabis prohibition did a lot to impede cannabis education. At the moment, the industry appears to be playing catch up. The efforts of Maha Haq and other cannabis educationists will facilitate the correct dissemination of knowledge in the industry. She is the founder of Cannaclub University, an organization committed to generating and sharing cannabis knowledge. Cannaclub has a large membership that spans the country.

5. Social Media Influencer: Olivia Alexander

Social media plays a crucial role in the success of any business in the present world. Olivia is the founder and CEO of Kush Queen, a force to reckon with in the social media scene. Several cannabis businesses have used Kush Queen to launch out and create the necessary buzz for their businesses. Olivia has also played a significant role in helping to destigmatize cannabis. It is because of people like her that the cannabis conversation is now “destigmatized.”

6. Investment: Amy Margolis

Amy T. Margolis is a practicing attorney and also the founder of the Oregon Cannabis Association. She is also the founder of a cannabis program known as The Initiative. She devotes her time to advising cannabis businesses on growth strategies and investment opportunities. As part of The Initiative, she advises female-led cannabis businesses to access funding and achieve growth. She sits on numerous advisory boards for both medicinal and recreational cannabis programs. She has also helped several states to implement recreational cannabis after it has been legalized.

7. Technology: Emily Skrobecki

Emily Skrobecki is the founder of CannSTEM, which focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math in cannabis. She also serves as a manager at SōRSE, where she explores water-soluble cannabis. The SōRSE technology improves the bioavailability of cannabinoids and makes it easier to dose cannabis. She also explores the science behind cannabis phenomena, such as the entourage effect.

8. Photography: Ophelia Chong

Ophelia Chong photography is well known in the cannabis scene. She uses “Pot Stock Images” to dispel myths about cannabis and spread the truth about the potential benefits of the herb. Apart from her remarkable photography skills, she also runs a cannabis education program known as the Asian Americans for Cannabis Education (AACE).

9. Legal: Kristin Jordan

Kristin L. Jordan is an attorney and cannabis activist who is passionate about the legal industry. She is the founder of Canada, a company that produces events in the cannabis industry such as the Cannabis Law Summit, Cannabis Real Estate Summit, Cannabis Media Summit, and The Maze. She serves in various cannabis boards such as the Minority Cannabis Bar Association and the Cannabis for the NYS Bar Association. She is also involved in cannabis advocacy in the Asian American community.

10.            Advocacy: Mara Gordon

Mara Gordon is the face of marijuana advocacy on TEDx. She has traveled the world, dispelling hyperbole and shedding light on the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant. She has been featured in cannabis films such as The Medicine in Marijuana and Weed the People. She is also involved in cannabis research through her work with Zelda Therapeutics. With a background in process engineering, she has created several marijuana dosing regimens for thousands of patients worldwide.

As the industry unfolds, these are women to keep your eyes on.

What Is The Future For Women in Cannabis?

The legal cannabis industry is fast-paced, dynamic, and male-dominated, but this does not have to be the case. Women will have to support each other to take up leadership in the industry. It helps to mention the name of females who have the potential to take up executive roles in your company, should an opportunity arise.

The battles being fought by women in cannabis is similar to those faced by their counterparts in different industries. Women must position themselves to take up challenging roles that will force them to grow into their full potential, not just what s comfortable at the moment. They must also put in the necessary work to build professional networks and allow their names to come to mind when important roles are mentioned. 

A handful of women are already making waves in the cannabis industry. And like a spark, soon enough, the whole industry will be set ablaze by female entrepreneurs making positive changes in different areas of the industry. 

 

 

 

Lydia K. (Bsc. RN) is a cannabis writer, which, considering where you’re reading this, makes perfect sense. Currently, she is a regular writer for Mace Media. In the past, she has written for MyBud, RX Leaf & Dine Magazine (Canada), CBDShopy (UK) and Cannavalate & Pharmadiol (Australia). She is best known for writing epic news articles and medical pieces. Occasionally, she deviates from news and science and creates humorous articles. And boy doesn't she love that! She equally enjoys ice cream, as should all right-thinking people.