The Increasing Role of Women in the US Marijuana Industry

Stoners have been associated with men, think of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman of Breaking Bad; Cheech and Chong; and Bill and Ted. 

This was the past, women of weed emerged closing the gender gap in the cannabis industry and shaping the future in this new field. Don’t let their gentle looks deceive you ‘coz these Mary Janes are relentless in their pursuit to push for the legalization of marijuana in the U.S.

We have to thank these womenfolk for their valuable contributions to the cannabis landscape. From Senators Amy Klobuchar, Kristin Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren to Founders Lakisha Jenkins, Pamela Hadfield, and Shanita Penny, all-female leaders of cannabis who want to see the powerful plant grow.

Cannabis History

Since ancient times, marijuana was used as a medicine and for achieving euphoria.

The earliest written record of medicinal marijuana dates back to 1500 B.C. from Egyptian papyrus to treat inflammation.

Urban legend says that in 2727 B.C. the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, acknowledged as the Father of Chinese Medicine, used marijuana to medicate rheumatism, malaria, and gout.

References in the Arab world show the presence of hashish between 800 A.D. and 1000 A.D. Muslims consumed marijuana for its intoxicating effects replacing alcohol intake which was banned by the Koran.

The benefits of marijuana spread like wildfire and reached the shores of Korea, India, and Eastern Africa. Ancient doctors recommend marijuana to treat ailments and warns consumers from taking too much unless you want to see the devil.

Advantages

There are over 30 symptoms of illnesses that benefit from the therapeutic effect of marijuana and many ongoing clinical types of research to learn the possible benefits including COVID-19. Most of the potential benefits of cannabis strains are associated with the medicinal value that cannabinoids CBD and THC brings to improve the health condition of a patient.

FDA approved

• Epidiolex is a CBD based medication to treat acute childhood epilepsy namely Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.

• Sativex is weeded out from THC and CBD for relieving pains linked with multiple sclerosis. 

• Marinol from synthetic THC helps manage nausea and vomiting of cancer patients administered with chemotherapy and anorexia to HIV/AIDS patients.

Ongoing clinical researches

• Scientists found that cannabinoids in marijuana activate the endocannabinoid system reducing the components of pain connected with migraine headaches.

• In Canada, researchers developed a high CBD cannabis strain to block the entry of the COVID-19 virus.

• In Israel, a team is working on a CBD loaded exosomes to treat COVID-19.

Why Women Support Cannabis

Years back, cannabis use was linked with men but the landscape changed with more females joining the cannabis community. While the stigma still haunts them, a growing number are embracing cannabis for health and wellness benefits and also making their mark as recreational users.

Take a look at some reasons why cannabis and women are meant to be together.

Medicinal benefits

Scientific breakthroughs and education in cannabis made women aware of the therapeutic benefits. This changed the attitudes of everyone including ladies, what was once known as a substance of abuse is now a miracle drug treating many ailments.

Women turn to cannabis to reduce stress, relief from anxiety, cope with pain, improve sleep quality, and lessen nausea. Cannabis’s ability to heighten mood and alleviate pain helps womenfolk with the debilitating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Recreational use

Cannabis and sex go well together, enjoy a fantastic time with your partner between the sheets promoting a healthy relationship.

Consuming edibles is a safe way to get high during pandemic times just be sure your hands are clean.

Mix it, cook it, or sprinkle it, with cannabis, food will taste great to satisfy even the most delicate palate.

Aside from making your skin look healthy, cannabis topical treat scalds, relieve arthritis, and bring your therapeutic back rubs to another level.

Women Supporting Marijuana Industry

Feisty, exceptional, and industry leaders are some of the words to portray the women battling unwaveringly for cannabis legalization. It takes extraordinary commitment to overcome the challenges along the way and these women have what it takes to succeed, here are some of them.

Olivia Alexander

Alexander is the CEO and Founder of Kush Queen that specializes in wellness and lifestyle products. At 18 she started working in a dispensary in 2006. “Women have a special power in cannabis,” she says.

Of her own use, Alexander adds, CBD helps “to balance my mood, relieve anxiety and sleep better.” Touting her own brands, Alexander predicts a growth in the pot beauty category.

Roxanne Dennant

Dennant is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fruit Slabs which was launched in 2015, specializes in all-natural, non-GMO fruit leather rolls infused with high-quality THC extracts.

Her “deep personal relationship” with weed started with her own bout of anxiety. “It was the light that brought me out of the dark, allowed me to breathe easier, relax and feel calmer and 10 years later, it still does,” she says.

“My hope is for global legalization,” Dennant adds. “Everyone should have access to this powerful plant as a medicine or a stress-reliever.”

 Hildi Gerhart

Gerhart is the owner of Fire Flower Farm learned how to cultivate cannabis on a woman-owned property and hasn’t looked back. “I craved open space, hard work and a flexible lifestyle,” says Gerhart. 

Diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2015, she credits cannabis for providing the sort of positivity that not only helped throughout her treatment, but may have contributed to a bumper weed harvest. “Plants have an intelligence all their own,” Gerhart offers. “It isn’t just the end result of pot that is magical. The plant has a lot to tell us throughout its life cycle, which is a different kind of magic.”

Presidential Candidates that Supports Cannabis

After the smoke cleared there were two men left standing, incumbent President Donald Trump (Republican) and former Vice President Joe Biden (Democrat). 

With the growing support for the legalization of cannabis, cannabis reform has been a prominent issue. The voter support of the cannabis community may influence the outcome of the 2020 United States presidency. Let us take a look at the views of the remaining candidates as well as the ones who withdrew.

CANDIDATE	Supports Medical Cannabis	Supports Recreational Cannabis	Introduced/Co-sponsored Cannabis Legalization	Approved/Voted in Favor of Cannabis Legalization
Donald Trump (R)	Yes	No	No	Yes
Joe Biden (D)	No	No	No	No
Mark Sanford (R)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Joe Walsh (R)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Bernie Sanders (D)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Amy Klobuchar (D)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kristen Gillibrand (D)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Elizabeth Warren (D)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kamala Harris	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Michael Bloomberg (D)	No	No	No	No

Celebrities That Supports and Promotes Cannabis

As cannabis becomes progressively legal and socially recognized, certain celebrities came out of the weed closet by admitting they are cannabis patrons and have openly supported the green industry. Let’s look at some celebrity entrepreneurs that make some noise in support of the weed.

Kim Kardashian

Kim K isn’t shy about her love for CBD. She told E! that she hopes her upcoming baby shower will be “CBD themed.”

On her Instagram story, Kim K recently revealed that she’s hooked on CBD salves. “Anyone that knows me knows I am obsessed with CBD everything!” she wrote.

Morgan Freeman

A vocal user of the substance since his 2003 interview with The Guardian where he proclaimed, “Never give up the ganja,” Freeman is a huge fan of the drug.

He told The Daily Beast, “Marijuana has many useful uses. I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!'”

Allessandra Ambrosio

Ambrosio is one of the most famous Victoria’s Secret models to walk the runway, she turns to CBD-infused products to soothe her wings muscles and help her sleep.

“It’s hard because the mind gets anxious, so I try CBD oil and I think it helps,” she told Well + Good of her pre-runway insomnia back in 2017.

Jennifer Anniston

“CBD helps with pain, stress, and anxiety,” Aniston told US Weekly, adding that it offers her all the benefits of marijuana without making her high.

Olivia Newton John

Australian singer, songwriter, four-time Grammy award-winner, actress, dancer, entrepreneur, and activist Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992.

Here’s what Olivia says about her experience with the drug: “I have metastasized breast cancer; I’m going through my third bout with it, and medicinal cannabis has been so important for me. I absolutely believe all patients should have the right to try. It is a matter of common-sense, and it is a compassionate thing to do for people.”

Final Thoughts

Cannabis is a relatively new industry experiencing heaps of struggles and political wrangles. Although it has a long way to go, the women of weed will work to overcome these obstacles and achieve their goals sooner rather than later.