The cannabis industry is booming—and women are at the forefront of this cultural, economic, and political revolution. From advocates fighting for justice to CEOs transforming how cannabis is cultivated and sold, women are not just participating in the cannabis movement—they’re leading it.
While cannabis has long been stigmatized and criminalized, especially in marginalized communities, the ongoing wave of legalization across North America has opened doors to a new era. And women—especially women of color—are stepping through those doors to reshape the future of cannabis. This article explores the historical roots of women in cannabis, highlights key leaders, and examines how female voices are changing the industry from the inside out.
A Historical Connection: Women and Cannabis
Cannabis has a long, intertwined history with women’s health and healing practices. Ancient societies often viewed women as herbalists, healers, and midwives—roles in which cannabis was commonly used for pain relief, childbirth, and menstrual issues. In ancient Egypt, cannabis was prescribed for childbirth and used as an anti-inflammatory. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cannabis seeds were considered a vital remedy for a variety of conditions.
Fast forward to the 19th and early 20th centuries, cannabis tinctures were a staple in Western medicine cabinets, often marketed for “female complaints.” Women, both as patients and healers, were at the center of this natural medicine’s use and promotion—until prohibition swept in.
When cannabis became criminalized in the 20th century, the plant’s connection to healing and wellness was severed, and women’s voices in the conversation diminished. But that silence wouldn’t last forever.
The Modern Movement: Activists, Healers, and Entrepreneurs
In the 1990s, the modern cannabis reform movement gained momentum—and women played vital roles. Mary Jane Rathbun, better known as “Brownie Mary,” became a symbol of compassion and resistance by distributing cannabis-infused brownies to AIDS patients in San Francisco. Her work, alongside figures like Dennis Peron, helped drive the passage of California’s Prop 215 in 1996, making it the first state to legalize medical marijuana.
Since then, women have continued to be central to the legalization movement. They’ve protested, petitioned, and founded organizations to decriminalize cannabis and ensure equitable access.
Today, female leaders are redefining cannabis from every angle:
Advocacy and Policy
Women like Shaleen Title, a former commissioner of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, have pushed for social equity and inclusion within cannabis regulation. Title co-founded the Parabola Center, which develops drug policy rooted in racial justice and fairness.
Wanda James, the first Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in Colorado, is a powerful advocate for criminal justice reform. Her work exposes the racial disparities in cannabis arrests and incarceration, urging the industry to do better.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Women entrepreneurs are reshaping the cannabis business landscape. From cultivation to CBD wellness brands, their influence is wide-reaching.
- Ophelia Chong, founder of Stock Pot Images and Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, fights Asian stereotypes in cannabis and promotes diverse, authentic representation.
- Maya Elisabeth, co-founder of OM Edibles, created one of California’s most beloved women-led cannabis wellness brands, offering topicals, tinctures, and bath soaks designed for self-care and healing.
- Cy Scott, co-founder of Headset, a cannabis data analytics company, is driving the industry forward through technology—showing that women are not only running dispensaries, but leading tech innovation in the space.
Changing the Narrative: Wellness, Self-Care, and Inclusion
One of the biggest cultural shifts driven by women is how cannabis is perceived. Rather than just recreational or taboo, cannabis is increasingly seen as a tool for wellness, self-discovery, and healing—especially among women consumers.
Brands founded by women tend to emphasize transparency, sustainability, education, and inclusivity. They often focus on mindful use, integrating cannabis into self-care routines rather than just promoting intoxication.
This shift has helped broaden cannabis’ appeal to a larger demographic—especially women who may have previously been hesitant to engage with the plant.
Challenges Women Still Face in the Industry
Despite these gains, the cannabis industry is far from equitable. As legalization spreads, large corporations and venture capital often crowd out smaller, women- and minority-owned businesses.
According to a 2022 report by MJBizDaily, women held just 23% of executive positions in cannabis businesses—a sharp decline from earlier years. Women of color face even more barriers, including lack of access to funding, licensing hurdles, and systemic racism.
Furthermore, the “green rush” has sparked a rise in male-dominated corporate cannabis culture that mirrors traditional big business, pushing many women to fight harder for visibility, leadership, and capital.
Organizations like Women Grow, Supernova Women, and The Initiative (a cannabis accelerator for female founders) are working to close this gap and empower women to lead and thrive.
Spotlight: Notable Women Changing Cannabis Today
Let’s take a moment to highlight some of the powerful women transforming the cannabis industry in 2025:
Hope Wiseman
At 25, she became the youngest Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in the U.S. Her company, Mary & Main, is focused on education and community empowerment.
Dasheeda Dawson
Author of “How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry”, Dawson is the Founding Chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition and currently serves as the Cannabis Program Director for the city of New York.
Kim Rivers
CEO of Trulieve, one of the largest cannabis companies in the U.S. Rivers has helped shape corporate cannabis while advocating for fair access and patient-first policies.
These women—and many more—prove that leadership in cannabis isn’t just about business; it’s about justice, transformation, and wellness.
The Future Is Female—and Green
The future of cannabis is inextricably tied to the leadership of women. As the industry evolves, the voices of female cultivators, educators, researchers, artists, and policy-makers will continue to influence how cannabis is perceived and utilized.
Women are pushing for:
- More inclusive policy frameworks
- Cannabis research that focuses on women’s health
- Sustainable and ethical cultivation practices
- Equity in licensing and investment
And most importantly, they’re building a movement that is not just profitable, but purposeful.
Conclusion: A Movement, Not Just a Market
Cannabis is more than an industry—it’s a movement. And women are not just participants; they are pioneers. From ancient herbalists to modern CEOs, women have always held a unique and powerful relationship with the cannabis plant.
As the world continues to decriminalize, legalize, and embrace cannabis, the leadership of women is crucial—not only for balance and representation but for innovation, justice, and community healing.
The green future we’re building is one where women lead with compassion, intelligence, and resilience. And that’s exactly what the cannabis movement needs.