A rich legacy of advocacy and recognition of women’s contributions throughout history is the basis for Women’s History Month, a celebration that occurs annually in March.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to give props to all the awesome women who’ve made such a big impact on the cannabis industry. These ladies have started super successful businesses, weed dispensaries and brands, fought hard to legalize weed, and worked tirelessly to bring more equity to the industry. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we have such an amazing industry today.
The History Behind the HERStory
The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1909 to honor women’s rights and suffrage movements. This led to the establishment of International Women’s Day. In the 1970s, as women’s studies and feminist movements gained momentum in the US, people started thinking about having a dedicated month for women. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed National Women’s History Week, which was extended to a month-long celebration in 1987. Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and struggles of women worldwide.
The entire month highlights women’s contributions to shaping societies, economies, cultures, and politics while advocating for gender equality and progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society.
The Rise of Women in Cannabis Advocacy, Entrepreneurs, Innovation and Culture
Throughout the fight for making cannabis legal, women have been playing a significant role in promoting it. They have been educating people about the use of cannabis and advocating for cannabis reform. Women have been challenging stigmas and pushing for policy changes in the legalization process.
Back in the 80s, “Brownie Mary,” aka Dr. Mary Jane Rathbun, played a crucial role in changing people’s attitudes towards marijuana use. She baked some amazing cannabis-infused brownies and gave them out to AIDS patients, showing compassion and care. Nowadays, groups like Women Grow, and NORML Women’s Alliance are still empowering women to fight for the legalization of marijuana and social justice.
Innovation and Research
There is also a growing emphasis on women’s roles in innovation and research in the cannabis industry, advancing scientific understanding of cannabis and its effects on health and well-being and exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.
Dr. Sue Sisley has made it her life’s work to study the medicinal benefits of cannabis, particularly in its ability to treat psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder. Her research has been groundbreaking and has helped change people’s views of cannabis as a legitimate medical option. Thanks to her work, there is now more interest in exploring cannabis’s therapeutic properties.
There are also a ton of women-led cannabis research organizations, such as the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and the International Cannabinoid Research Society that are contributing to the growing body of scientific knowledge surrounding cannabis.
Cultural Influence and Representation
The culture surrounding cannabis has been positively impacted by women. Through media and entertainment, the stigma surrounding the use of cannabis has been reduced, and its health benefits have been promoted. Women have played a crucial role in changing the perception of cannabis use through their influence.
It’s great that the cannabis industry is becoming more diverse, with more people of color and different backgrounds getting involved. This is really important because it helps to break down the stigma and discrimination that’s been associated with cannabis for so long. By having a more diverse group of people involved, we can help to make cannabis more accessible and acceptable for everyone.
Challenges and Opportunities
Although women have made some progress in the cannabis industry, there are still some significant hurdles to jump. These include gender inequality, not being able to start their own businesses, and the extra struggles faced by women of color.
We still need to take action to break down stereotypes and stigmas about cannabis culture and industry. This means creating mentorship programs for women, setting up special funds for women-owned businesses, and changing the rules to make them more fair. And we’ve only just started doing that in the last ten years.
The more we push these initiatives, the more everyone can participate in the cannabis industry. It doesn’t matter who you are; you’ll have an equal shot. This way, we can create a fairer and more inclusive industry for everyone.
How to Celebrate Women in the World of Cannabis
Let’s celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the outstanding achievements of women in weed culture. Women have done some amazing things by advocating for the cannabis industry, starting businesses, bringing innovative ideas to the table, and shaping cultural attitudes.
We must keep supporting and empowering women in cannabis so everyone can hear their voices and recognize their contributions. Inclusiveness and diversity can create a more vibrant and welcoming cannabis community for generations to come.
It’s super important to show some love and support to cannabis brands and businesses run by women. And don’t forget to check out all the amazing women who have been making waves in the world of weed! If you’re feeling extra generous, consider donating to charities and nonprofits that help support women and minority-led initiatives. And last but not least, grab your besties, roll up a joint, and have a chill sesh together!
Happy Women’s History Month!
As Women’s History Month is wrapping up, let’s take a moment to appreciate the amazing achievements of women in the cannabis industry.
Women have been super influential in shaping and paving the way for the future of weed, from advocating for it to starting businesses and coming up with new ideas to influence the culture. Even though women have achieved so much, it’s essential to understand that we still need to work on things like gender inequality and making it easier for women of color to get involved.
But we can make the cannabis industry more fair and inclusive for everyone by supporting women-run businesses, learning more about important figures, and ensuring everyone feels welcome.
Let’s keep celebrating and supporting the women in the cannabis world so they know we value their contributions and ideas. Together, we can make the future brighter and more inclusive for everyone.