For Women’s History Month, we spoke with women-owned cannabis brands to highlight the important work that women are doing to move the industry forward.
Women in cannabis are committed to making the industry a more inclusive and equitable space. Cannabis has historically had a disproportionately low number of female C-level executives. But as cannabis teams become more inclusive of women, cannabis companies are better equipped to serve the needs of all consumers.
Research shows that adding women to leadership changes how companies think and is a real benefit to underlying financial performance. Women add another perspective to effectively address key social and political issues.
Check out these amazing women-owned cannabis brands and what their founders have to say.
Miss Grass founded by Kate Miller (shown) and Anna Duckworth
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Miss Grass is a brand focused on education, advocacy, and providing quality products to our community. We launched the brand in January 2018 and focused on building our community. Then, we launched insight-driven products. We currently offer our products in New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, and Arizona.
What inspired you to start your cannabis brand, and what unique perspective do you bring as a woman in the industry?
The inspiration for Miss Grass struck in 2008. I was working as a budtender while attending university in Los Angeles. I had already experienced the benefits of cannabis firsthand (read: I was a stoner), but seeing so many patients transform their lives only strengthened my belief in this plant. A decade later, after a career in entertainment and meaningful cannabis legalization, I decided to make Miss Grass a reality. The concept that was born back then remains true to the mission today: ‘To create a better cannabis offering. To make cannabis accessible through trusted education. To rewrite the pervasive and shameful narrative around the plant. To create products that meet the highest standard of excellence. And to build a community that welcomes and supports everyone —just as they are.’
Why do you think women, in particular, should consider a career in cannabis?
Women are innately positioned to be incredible leaders. For this industry (and this plant!) to achieve its greatest potential, the people behind it should be a reflection of its community and its consumers. Women currently account for 42% of cannabis consumers in North America —and it’s the fastest-growing demographic. Yet women make up less than 22% of executives in the industry. There’s a major disconnect there. I hope women take the opportunity to step up and create an industry that better mirrors the myriad of experiences and perspectives of people who consume.
Can you share a memorable success story or milestone moment in your journey as a founder?
Miss Grass’s launch in New Jersey was a full-circle moment for me. I’m a proud Jersey girl, born and raised. My relationship with weed has evolved, but my love for this plant – and my drive to advocate for it – was birthed in the Garden State. I grew up in a household with varying perceptions and experiences around weed. Dad loves weed. Mom hated it. My brother got arrested for it. It caused a lot of conflict in our household. To be able to share Miss Grass with all those who share the state I call home, was a milestone moment for me in this journey.
Black Buddha Cannabis founded by Roz McCarthy
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Black Buddha Cannabis is a brand created for women, by women. Our mission is focused on people, plants, the planet, and purpose. Our sustainable business practice is focused on creating edibles, pre-packs, and flowers without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole. Black Buddha Cannabis can currently be found in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
What inspired you to start your cannabis brand, and what unique perspective do you bring as a woman in the industry?
It became evident there was a disparity in access, participation, and understanding within minority communities when it came to cannabis. Establishing my non-profit organization, Minorities for Medical Marijuana, was the pivotal step that allowed me to actively engage and support my community in a genuine and impactful manner. Witnessing the positive impact of our work has been rewarding and reaffirms my commitment to creating meaningful change. This journey gave me the tools to create my cannabis wellness brand. I aim to empower women to embrace cannabis as a tool for wellness and self-discovery.
What advice would you give other aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry?
- Understand your ‘why’: Take the time to deeply understand your motivations and aspirations. Understanding your ‘why’ will serve as your compass, guiding you through the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead
- Clarity of purpose fuels and sustains you.
- Find your village: Find your support network. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your vision, values, and enthusiasm for change. Your village will provide invaluable insights and resources and will serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement.
- Remain steadfast and patient: Entering the cannabis industry requires resilience, perseverance, and patience. Stay committed to your vision, but remain flexible in your approach. Celebrate the small victories and have faith in your ability to emerge stronger on the other side.
Can you highlight any upcoming initiatives or projects your brand is working on?
We have several exciting new product launches planned. We’ll have premium flower selections, curated concentrates, and artisanal edibles. We’re also thrilled to announce our plans for market expansion into Nevada, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
Shake Brands founded by Julie Brents, Brittany Phillips, Antigone “Tig” Davoulas, and Syrona Scott
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Shake Brands Corp. is a woman-owned branding house. Collectively, we are Cannabis by Women™ – Southern-based cannabis processors focusing on licensing, product manufacturing, and wholesale distribution in the medical cannabis and industrial hemp markets. Shake operates a chemical-free lab in Northwest Arkansas, producing its own organic CBD line, CBD & ME® – a USDA-certified brand, and Shake Extractions® – a smokeless medical cannabis beauty and wellness brand made by women for everyone. Our goal is to provide a canopy of collaboration among women’s voices in the industry.
What inspired you to start your cannabis brand, and what unique perspective do you bring as a woman in the industry?
The founders of Shake Brands, our “mother” company, couldn’t find quality self-care formulas anywhere on the market optimized for every day. We wanted self-care products everyone could use regardless of age, body shape, or skin type. We used our collective experience and dove into product development. That’s how Cannabis by Women™ was born. We concentrate on engineering formulas for the health-focused who want to practice daily rituals and self-care without using a single drop of artificial chemicals.
Can you share a memorable success story or milestone moment in your journey as a founder?
Being awarded the first processing license in the state of Arkansas! We wrote our application during the COVID shutdown when the future was uncertain. Getting through the compliance hurdles and start-up woes on our own dime gave us the grit and gumption to launch in a tightly controlled space.
What advice would you give other aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry?
DON’T. GIVE. UP. Find a niche that feels authentic, and do not be afraid to run ahead of the mainstream. Pioneering is hard work, and forging alliances is critical. Be nice to everyone.
Gal Pals Minis founded by Sarah O’Leary
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Gal Pals Minis is a brand specifically designed for the female cannabis experience. Gal Pals is best known for our anchor product: 5-pack Mini .4g Pre-rolls in a hot pink collectible tin. Our goal is to give women – especially those who have never experienced cannabis – permission to try and enjoy it. We engaged hundreds of women for several months to help us create everything from the size of our pre-rolls to the strains we select to our THC/potency levels. Women are the true owners of the Gal Pals Minis brand, and we will never forget it.
What inspired you to start your cannabis brand, and what unique perspective do you bring as a woman in the industry?
Women are the majority of consumers in all mature legal markets, and we were being largely ignored as an audience. Women want to feel like women when they consume. Our goal is to permit women to enjoy cannabis their way. I spent 30 years as a creative leader in consumer packaged goods (CPG) for big household brands. I entered cannabis because I believe in the plant and the positive impact it can have on women’s quality of life. Women making a brand that serves women made sense to us.
How might the cannabis industry do a better job of being more inclusive of women and their needs?
We need to recognize women as the most important shoppers at retail. Women are more likely to buy for other family members and friends, and they will buy a variety of products. They aren’t single-lane shoppers. They will pick up products for themselves, their Aunt Bessie, who has arthritis, and a bath bomb for the dog. They’re multi-lane shoppers, and their purchase power is formidable. Carrying products designed for women and tailoring marketing and advertising efforts to build emotional bridges with them is essential to our industry’s ultimate success.
Can you highlight any upcoming initiatives or projects your brand is working on?
We are excited to share that we’re bringing our pre-roll brand to Illinois this month and will be expanding our offerings to include infused pre-rolls, gummies, and disposable vape pens. Beyond our brand’s commitment to breast cancer charities, we will be sponsoring women’s sports beginning this spring.
Goddess Growers founded by Phoebe DePree
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Goddess Growers is a woman-owned cannabis edibles company and your partner on the journey to calm. As a lifelong cannabis consumer, I wanted to develop a brand with the ultimate formulation to help people find their inner peace and calm. Crafted by a team of scientists, the brand’s precisely-dosed product line incorporates THC, CBD, THCV, and its exclusive Mother Elixir™, a proprietary blend of terpenes and flavonoids. The result is a meticulously formulated, full spectrum, fast-acting edible designed with the explicit intention of providing stress-relief effects for a smooth and consistent high. As commitment to community stands at the forefront of our ethos, Goddess Growers strives to foster a culture rooted in connection that drives local, sustainable change.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced as a woman entrepreneur in the cannabis industry and how you overcame them?
When I first started in the industry, I applied for a craft grower license in a lottery in my home state, Illinois. There was a long delay in the license issuance, and my team was ultimately unsuccessful in winning one. Instead of seeing this as a setback, I doubled down and used it as motivation to pivot. This is how the Goddess Growers brand came to life. Realizing I could do everything I wanted to do without a license – creating a carefully formulated edible to help consumers on the journey to calm – was a winning moment.
How do you ensure that your products cater to the specific needs and preferences of female consumers?
We test the market by interviewing current consumers about their lifestyles and preferences within our target consumer segment. Though our product is made for any consumer, I believe it serves the specific needs that the female consumer is looking for. Our formulations will offer a superior consumer experience to anyone wanting to take the edge off on the journey to calm.
What advice would you give other aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry?
Someone once told me to embrace collaboration and mentorship – it has been great advice. You don’t need to excel in every aspect of your proposed business. Focus on attracting and surrounding yourself with good people who complement your skills and experience, and the sky will be the limit.
Hudson Cannabis founded by Melany and Freya Dobson
What is your brand? Tell us a little about it.
Hudson Cannabis grows heritage seeds in organic living soil, utilizing the full powers of the sun and moon for a naturally optimal experience. We are family-founded, women-led, and employee-owned.
What inspired you to start your cannabis brand, and what unique perspective do you bring as a woman in the industry?
We grew up on an organic farm in western Massachusetts. Our father, Ted Dobson, grew cannabis to supplement his income and because he loved to cultivate and smoke the plant. My sister, Melany, and I moved to Humboldt in 2016 and started working in cannabis. Then, in 2017, our brother Ben received one of the first hemp cultivator licenses in New York and asked us to come back east to work with him. We founded Hudson Hemp that year and cultivated and processed CBD-rich hemp until 2021. Hemp was the gateway to adult-use cannabis. In 2022, we received our license to cultivate, process, and distribute adult-use cannabis. I believe our father planted the seed for what we have built. As women in the industry, we lead with integrity, love, and intention. We are here for the plant first.
Why do you think women, in particular, should consider a career in cannabis?
As mothers, healers, and weavers, we are in the best position to represent and advocate for cannabis.
Can you share a memorable success story or milestone moment in your journey as a founder?
Successfully raising our first round of capital from a fund made up of all men! Because of this, we launched Hudson Cannabis products in legal dispensaries in February 2023. We are now one of the top-selling flower brands in the state of New York.
What advice would you give other aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry?
Do not give up in the face of darkness. Don’t give your energy away to the wrong people or ideas. Be the light you seek.
Lastly, can you highlight any upcoming initiatives or projects your brand is working on?
We will be growing our farm programming this summer so we can continue to spread education and awareness about the benefits of regenerative agriculture in New York. Stay tuned on socials: @hudsoncannabis or our website: www.hudsoncannabis.co!
The FlowerHire team asks you to embrace and acknowledge the powerful and impactful perspective women bring to leadership in cannabis. Hear more from these founders at CannaCurious Magazine.
Reach out to a FlowerHire cannabis recruiter to find a cannabis job or find cannabis employees.
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