Women and Their Contributions to the Cannabis Industry
The Cannabis industry in recent history has been dominated by and is often associated with men, but women have been involved in cannabis for as long as people have been cultivating and using it.
In fact, they are important to the industry right down to the plant itself. The cannabis plants that produce the flowers that are then harvested for consumption, are the female plants! Female plants also tend to produce more THC than male plants.
It is difficult to talk about the history of cannabis without talking about all of the women who have been involved in the industry since the start, from cultivation and distribution, to the fight for legalization. Women have been and will continue to be integral parts of the cannabis industry.
Why is it important to talk about Women in Cannabis
It’s important to continue to talk about women in the cannabis space because for a long time it has been a space that has catered mostly to men.
Much of the research done on the effects of cannabis on the body has not included women. This means that there can be a larger disparity between the reported effects of a product and the actual effects that women feel when they use it.
Additionally, there is an obvious gender gap when it comes to people in positions of power within the cannabis industry. Many brands, cultivations and dispensaries are owned by men which can make it harder for women to break into the industry.
Similarly, as more states are legalizing cannabis, larger companies, some with outdated business practices, are moving into the industry and bringing those practices with them. This is causing even more of a gender gap within the industry.
Important Women in the Cannabis industry
Throughout the history of cannabis, there have been a lot of important female figures. These women helped to move us along that path to where we are now.
Historical Figures
There have been a number of powerful female leaders and thinkers who have used or spoken about the positive effects of cannabis. One of the few documented female Pharaohs in Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, used hemp to help manage menstrual pain.
In fact it was common enough to use hemp to help with menstrual pain as well as childbirth that there are medical texts from that time that detail those usages for the plant.
Another ruler that reportedly used cannabis for a similar purpose was Queen Victoria of England. She not only used it to help ease menstrual cramps but also apparently used it to help combat morning sickness.
Margaret Mead
Bringing things up closer to modern times, Margaret Mead was an anthropologist and in 1969, she testified before Congress that marijuana should be legalized. She is quoted as saying “marijuana is not harmful unless it is taken in enormous and excessive amounts”.
She also spoke about how she believed that outlawing cannabis would do more harm than good in America and how in other countries, it was very common to consume cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally.
She faced a lot of backlash for her opinions but ultimately she helped to bring awareness to the cultural significance of cannabis and introduced the wider public to the idea that it was not inherently good or bad.
Mary Jane Rathburn
Also known as “Brownie Mary”, Mary Jane Rathburn was a strong advocate for medical marijuana in the 1960s.
During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s, she would volunteer at San Francisco General Hospital and illegally offer AIDS patients cannabis brownies to help with their pain. This led to her being arrested multiple times.
She eventually would go on to help pass legislation in California allowing for the use of medical marijuana. She also helped to open the very first legal dispensary in the United States
Because of all of the work that she did, she was often referred to as “Florence Nightingale of the medical marijuana movement”.
Allyn Howlett
Working as a biochemical neuropharmacologist in the late 1980’s, Allyn Howlett contributed to the discovery of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the endocannabinoid system. This discovery helped us to understand how cannabinoids interact with the receptors in our brain.
It also brought a wider understanding to the public on how cannabis works and it reignited the conversation around medical marijuana, eventually leading to its legalization in California in 1996.
Women-Owned Brands
If you’re looking to support women in the Cannabis industry, a good way is to support women own-brands. We at NatureMed wanted to highlight two amazing woman-owned brands that we carry in store.
Kiva Confections
Back in 2010 Kristi Palmer along with her husband Scott began Kiva Confections out of the kitchen in their home. Over the past decade Kiva has grown into one of the largest and most successful edibles brands in the country.
They believe in making a quality product, stating “We believe that the principles of consistency, efficacy, and food safety are fundamental to creating a high-quality edible that you can always feel confident sharing with friends and family.”
Ladylike
The goal for the Ladylike team is to create a high quality product that’s made by women, for women. Leaning into traditionally feminine colors, packaging, and product names, Ladylike is carving a unique space for themselves in a traditionally male dominated industry.
“We’re here to give women a safe space to learn, heal, and enjoy plant-based products. We’re also here to say goodbye to the stigma, shame, and fear around hemp derived product use for women.”
We at NatureMed are excited to be celebrating Women’s History Month along with all of the amazing women who have worked and continue to work to make the cannabis industry better every day!
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