The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative sectors in the world, with global sales expected to reach $73.6 billion by 2027. However, as the industry matures and becomes more competitive, women are facing significant challenges to maintain their leadership and representation in this field. Despite the initial promise of gender equality and inclusion, women now hold only 22% of executive-level positions in cannabis, down from 37% in 2017.
Moreover, women entrepreneurs and business owners often struggle to access capital, resources, and networks that are crucial for their success. In this article, we will explore some of the barriers and opportunities that women encounter in the cannabis industry, and highlight some of the influential and inspiring women who are breaking the grass ceiling and paving the way for others.
As a man who cares deeply what befalls my cannabis sisters, a man raised by a single mother, I consider that my barriers to entry and promotion were almost non-existent in light of the extra barriers women have to face. Every woman you see in the industry has made it here despite these additional challenges!
Barriers for Women in Cannabis
One of the main barriers that women face in the cannabis industry is the lack of funding and investment. According to a report by Vangst, a cannabis staffing agency, only 8% of cannabis businesses are funded by venture capital, and only 2.8% of those funds go to women-led companies. This means that women have to rely on alternative sources of financing, such as crowdfunding, personal savings, or loans from friends and family. However, these options are often limited, risky, or expensive, and may not provide enough capital to scale up or compete with larger players. Another strike against fundamental fairness.
Another barrier that women encounter is the gender bias and discrimination that still pervades the industry. Despite the progressive image of cannabis, many women report facing sexism, harassment, or exclusion from male-dominated spaces and networks. For example, some women have been denied entry to industry events or conferences, or have been subjected to inappropriate comments or behavior from investors, customers, or peers. Additionally, some women have faced legal challenges or threats due to their involvement in cannabis, especially in states or countries where the plant is still illegal or stigmatized. This needs to change, and quickly.
A third barrier that women have to overcome is the lack of mentorship, education, and support that is available for them in the industry. According to a survey by Marijuana Business Daily, only 26% of women in cannabis have a mentor, compared to 44% of men. Moreover, only 20% of women have received formal training or education on cannabis, compared to 27% of men. This means that women have fewer opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, develop their skills and knowledge, and expand their network and influence. We don’t need to agree on much to agree that this is unfair fundamentally.
Opportunities for Women in Cannabis
Despite these challenges, there are also many opportunities for women to thrive and succeed in the cannabis industry. One of the opportunities is the growing demand and diversity of cannabis products and consumers. As cannabis becomes more mainstream and accepted, more people are seeking different ways to consume and benefit from it. This creates a space for innovation and differentiation, especially in segments such as beverages, edibles, topicals, and sublinguals.
Roles & Functions Women Play
Women are well-positioned to cater to these markets, as they tend to have more insight into consumer preferences, trends, and needs. For instance, women are more likely to use cannabis for wellness, health, or beauty purposes than men, and may prefer products that are discreet, convenient, or appealing rather than conspicuous, laborious, or functional.
Another opportunity for women is the social and environmental impact that they can make through their involvement in cannabis. Women are often more conscious and committed to sustainability, social equity, corporate responsibility, and community engagement than men. These values are increasingly important for consumers and stakeholders who want to support ethical and responsible businesses. Women can leverage their influence and leadership to advocate for positive change in the industry, such as reducing the carbon footprint of cultivation, promoting diversity and inclusion in hiring and management practices, or supporting social justice causes related to cannabis.
A third opportunity for women is the network and community that they can build and benefit from in the industry. This may sound counterintuitive, but women are more likely to collaborate and cooperate than to compete with each other, which can foster a culture of mutual support and empowerment. Women can also access various resources and platforms that are designed to help them succeed in cannabis, such as organizations, associations, events, media outlets, or educational programs that are focused on women’s issues and interests.
Organizations like Women Grow, The Initiative, Tokeativity, Ellementa, MJ Lifestyle, or Green Flower Academy exemplify this progressive spirit women carry into and through the industry.
Women Leaders in Cannabis
As we watch our world transform into a more equitable and just one with regard to the rights, roles, and responsibilities of women, it’s going to take hard work by pioneering women, of whom there are many currently leading the way in the cannabis industry, and inspiring others with their vision, passion, and achievements. Here’s a few:
Ann Lee
Ann Lee is an American cannabis activist with an unexpected profile. She is a conservative Republican, a devout Christian, and a mother of a quadriplegic son who uses cannabis for medical purposes. She is the founder and executive director of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP), a nonprofit organization that advocates for the legalization of cannabis and the reform of drug laws. She is also a speaker, author, and educator who travels across the country to spread her message and challenge the stereotypes and myths about cannabis and its users.
Amy Margolis:
Amy Margolis is a lawyer and cannabis advocate who has been representing cannabis clients for over 17 years. She is the founder and executive director of The Initiative, an accelerator program that provides funding, mentorship, education, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. She is also the founder of The Commune, a co-working and event space for cannabis businesses in Portland, Oregon. She is a vocal and influential voice for women’s rights and social justice in the industry, and has been featured in various media outlets such as Forbes, Rolling Stone, or Vice.
Wanda James:
Wanda James is a cannabis entrepreneur, activist, and political strategist who has made history as the first black woman to own a dispensary in Colorado. She is the founder and CEO of Simply Pure, a dispensary and edibles company that specializes in organic, vegan, and gluten-free products. She is also the founder and president of Cannabis Global Initiative, a consulting firm that provides strategic guidance and advocacy for cannabis policy, legislation, and regulation. She is a fierce advocate for social equity and racial justice in the industry, and has been instrumental in addressing the impact of the War on Drugs on communities of color.
Dr Sue Sisley:
Dr Sue Sisley is a physician and researcher who has been at the forefront of medical cannabis science and advocacy. She is the president and principal investigator of Scottsdale Research Institute, a nonprofit organization that conducts clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of cannabis for various conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, or opioid addiction. She is also the medical director of The Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, an international network of physicians who support the legalization and regulation of cannabis for adult use. She is a courageous and outspoken critic of the federal government’s restrictions and obstacles on cannabis research, and has fought tirelessly to advance the scientific knowledge and understanding of this plant.
Jessica Billingsley:
Jessica Billingsley is a technology entrepreneur and innovator who has revolutionized the cannabis industry with her software solutions. She is the co-founder and CEO of Akerna, a Nasdaq-listed company that provides seed-to-sale tracking, compliance, data analytics, and e-commerce platforms for cannabis businesses and regulators. She is also the co-founder of MJ Freeway, one of the first software companies to serve the cannabis industry, which merged with MTech Acquisition Corp to form Akerna in 2019. She is a visionary and influential leader who has been named as one of the most powerful women in cannabis by Fortune magazine, and one of the top 50 women in tech by Forbes magazine.
If you are a woman in today’s industry, know that there are men out there who fully support you, your presence, your skills, wisdom, and touch. As groups of diverse men we achieve all we seek; as groups of diverse humans, the interests and strengths of women abounding, we achieve all we seek, and more.
Chronicler Cannabis Historians 
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