Cannabis was once thought to be dominated by the male gender. Thanks to some influential female entrepreneurs, the narratives have been changed. Women in weed are taking their rightful place in the industry. They are not only taking their place, they are aiming for the top.
Many of them have attained the peak and are still pushing the limit. These women are found in various cadres of the industry, from extraction scientists to healers.
They also include PR specialists, law experts, investment gurus, influencers, and icons. There are hundreds of them, but we will look at only a few of them in this post.
Influential Women in Weed
- Emily Pazhia
Emily is the Co-founder and managing partner at Poseidon Investment Management. For over ten years in consulting, she has reviewed thousands of enterprises in the industry.
She works with brands and founders as an early investor and she has functioned in different capacities, including working on the Board of Directors of the Marijuana Policy Project. She is currently a member of the Board of Athletes for CARE. She is one of the influential women in weed that are worth mentioning.
- Cassandra Farrington
She is the Board Chair and Co-Founder of MJBizCon and Marijuana Business Daily. She founded MJBizCon in 2012 and paved the way for the success story in the industry today. Cassandra Farrington facilitated numerous connections in the world of cannabis.
With her partner, Anne Holland, they have held a series of conference series where they connect and educate thousands of cannabis entrepreneurs. Without a doubt, Farrington is one of the top women in weed that have brought the industry to where it is today.
- Cyo Nystrom
Nystrom is the CEO and Co-Founder of Quim. With her partner, Cyo Nystrom has created an unconventional collection of cannabis products in a sex-positive female health field. Her career highlights a novel story in cannabis.
It is a story that channels the trajectory for vaginal talk, wellness, and overall health. She honestly and frankly discusses the effect of sex on women’s bodies and how cannabis can help to comfort and heal the most delicate parts of women’s bodies. Nystrom has undoubtedly played her part as one of the influential women in weed.
- Maha Haq
She is the President and Founder of Cannaclub University and the Biz Dev/Education Admin at CannaSafe. Maha Haq is an inspiration and a powerhouse in weed education. She tutors a web of students exploring the world of cannabis science and looking to enter the cannabis environment after graduation.
She launched Cannaclub University at UCLA, her alma mater, and today, the organization has grown to cover the country. Haq also works at CannaSafe Analytics, an ISO accredited cannabis testing laboratory. She is a champion for women in weed and POC. She is also a keynote speaker on weed education.
- Wanda James
Wanda James has a vision. It is to pave the way for black businesses where the world has marginalized them. She is the CEO and Founder of Simply Pure and is best known for establishing the first black-owned cannabis dispensary in the United States.
She founded Simply Pure with her partner, Scott Durrah, and since the beginning of her career; she has worked in different capacities she worked for President Barack Obama on the National Finance Committee. She is also a former lieutenant and military veteran in the US Navy.
Wanda James has built a formidable cannabis empire in Denver, Colorado, where her home is based. She remains a strong advocate for empowerment and equity for black-owned businesses in the country and one of the top women in weed.
- Zoe Wilder
Beyond handling the product, some women in weed have been the face of cannabis in the world. Zoe Wilder is one such woman. She is a Publicist and the Founder of Zoe Wilder PR. She is a strong cannabis advocate and has paved the way for other cannabis advocates, marketers, and artists with her innovative method and style.
Wilder has worked with hundreds of clients in different industries for more than eighteen years, including cannabis, tech, music, wellness, psychedelics, spirits, wine, and art. Her work has promoted numerous cannabis brands. In great measures, Wilder has contributed to the cannabis industry in California.
- Cynthia Salarizadeh
When you wonder how cannabis has moved from negative light to the spotlight where it is being accepted, just know that many fought for it. Cynthia Salarizadeh, the President and Founder of House of Saka and AxiesWire and Co-Founder of Green Market Report, played a significant part.
She dedicated her career to overturning the negative stigma created for marijuana by Reefer Madness marketing. She launched one of the first cannabis and hemp-dedicated firms in 2016 and has gone ahead to launch a luxury cannabis wine brand, known as House of Saka.
The weed wine is available in California and it comes in two booze-free cannabis beverages that are similar to sparkling white and rosé.
- Christine De La Rosa
Christine De La Rosa is the Co-Founder and CEO of the People’s Dispensary. She is undoubtedly a force within the industry. With her co-founders, Christine, Michael, Charleen, Rocio, Tamara, Gidai, Mike, Cesar, and Melorra, De La Rosa founded the People’s Dispensary.
Thanks to her, ownership and equity of the cannabis business are available to the public. The People’s Dispensary uses an equity franchise model that makes cannabis available to many.
From its Portland flagship, it has expanded into other markets, including San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Fresno. Suffice to mention that cannabis contributed to the treatment of De La Rosa’s chronic illness.
- Olivia Alexander
CEO and Founder of Kush Queen, Olivia Alexander is a long-term social media influencer. She has launched multimillion-dollar brands through social channels. Over the years, she has developed her wellness and beauty line, including CBD-only and THC-infused products.
Her products include pain relief lotions, edibles, and bath bombs. She also offers items, such as CBN and CBG. These are products that emphasize cannabinoids. Her contribution to the cannabis industry earns her a spot on the list of top influential women in weed.
Final Thoughts
Hundreds of women are contributing to the world of cannabis. The concept of women in weed is no longer farfetched. Women are playing significant roles in the industry. With time, more women will enter the industry and make huge impacts in a world dominated by the male gender.
