As we kick off Women’s History Month, we felt it was important to pause and reflect on the impact that women have had on the cannabis industry. Impact can be seen and felt on many different levels and often, not enough attention is paid to small acts of support or kindness.

We asked a few women in our orbit to spend a few minutes reflecting on women who have made a difference in their journey and how that’s shaped their careers, experiences, outlooks and more. Stories of inspiration, empowerment and appreciation came pouring in that painted a beautiful picture of the ways that women make space for each other and hold each other up. Read on and try not to smile, it’s practically impossible.

Sometimes You Need a Good Push

When Tabby Gurtubay, Founder and CEO of Ether Collective, started in the industry over ten years ago, English was not her first language. Even though this was a struggle for her she was lucky to find herself working with Victoria P. Viki worked through the language barrier and showcased patience and determination, which empowered Tabby to embody those qualities herself. With a vision for Tabby’s potential, Viki empathically encouraged Tabby to move beyond her comfort zone and explore many skillsets. Through this Tabby was able to discover her passion for strategy and operations, while also becoming a strong leader with her own team.

For Susie Plasencia, Founder and CEO of Nightshift Digital, the push came from herself, and this led to the support she needed. When Susie accepted an invitation to attend the Cannabis Business Conference in Spain this year, she was championed by industry veteran and Founder/CEO of Skunk Magazine, Julie Chiariello. Julie shared her knowledge and experience with Susie and took her under her wing, helping her navigate how to ensure she met her goals with the event. This is especially important for Susie, as looks to grow awareness and support for her other organization, Latinas in Cannabis. Perhaps the biggest impact was reaffirming Susie’s belief that she belongs at these events and sharpening her focus and confidence to expand to an international stage.

These stories serve as beautiful reminders that sometimes putting yourself in uncomfortable or challenging situations shows you that you’re capable of so much more than you could have dreamed for yourself!

Inspired to Pay it Forward

For Annie Holman, managing partner at Fusion Strategies, the impact of two women on her career illustrated the importance of mentorship. She’s seen firsthand how female support in cannabis, more so than other industries, is circular – what you give always comes back in some way. Her journey has been shaped by two incredible women – Gaynell Rogers and Elena DeCharme. From guidance on investment and business structure to legal and strategic advice, these women have been invaluable sources of advice and support. Moved by their kindness and generosity, Annie now mentors other women in the industry, providing guidance however she can and helping them avoid pitfalls.

Similarly, Raequel London, a sales associate at Gold Flora, feels fortunate for the support she’s received from women in the industry and feels the call to give back in her own way. For her, a huge shift took place when Nicole Fox took a chance on her and gave her her first job in cannabis. Nicole recognized Raequel’s passion and helped open doors for Raequel to attend cannabis events. It was also through Nicole’s encouragement that Raequel found her way into becoming a Functional Health Coach, helping patients find the best cannabis products for their needs.

Raequel also speaks to the inspiration that Dr. Chanda Macias provides to women across the industry. As a black woman, it showed her that there was space for her to grow, learn and succeed in this space. Chanda’s passion for medical cannabis encouraged Raequel to work on her own path to advocate for and uplift holistic practices, including cannabis.

Creating a Richer Understanding of the (Female) Plant

Gretchen Giles, a PR professional in California, recognizes the importance of connecting with, learning from and supporting women in the cannabis industry, as it continues to be a field dominated by men. Of the many women she’s been fortunate to cross paths with and connect to, she feels a deep appreciation for Erin Gore, the founder of Garden Society. Erin engaged and encouraged Gretchen when she was just starting out, and helped show her how you can pave the way for normalizing use of the plant, particularly for women.

Gretchen also feels fortunate to work with another female entrepreneur in the space, Tara Coomans, founder of Avaans Media. Tara has a powerful “no-bullshit” approach that allows her to care for her clients and drive growth for the industry while balancing the demands and realities of working with cannabis. For Gretchen, these connections and interactions enlarge her own understanding of cannabis and its impact, as well as the role that women have within the space.

As we navigate our daily lives, consumed by tasks and to-do lists, we hope this inspires you to break away for a minute to think about the women that have shaped your journey, and find ways to support someone coming to you for assistance. We are a powerful community, and together, will create the change we envision for the future!