Growing cannabis has never been an easy task. To ensure a high-yield crop, it requires a thorough process, a delicate balance of nutrients, water, lighting, and several other key environmental factors. On top of that, the continually growing cannabis industry has had to overcome a lot of challenges, from law enforcement, political restruction, and ongoing research factors.
It may not be known to some, but there are resilient, industry-leading, and inspirational women campaigning relentlessly towards the legalization of marijuana. Here is a list of the top five influential women that are paving the way for a more accepting society for the cannabis industry.
1. Emily Paxhia
As an alumnus of New York University with an M.A. in Psychology, Emily Paxhia dedicated her time and energy to advocating policy groups and served on the Board of Athletes for CARE and Treehouse Global Ventures and the Board of Directors of the Marijuana Policy Project. As the co-founder and managing partner of Poseidon, she has reviewed thousands of cannabis companies in the industry.
She has also worked and collaborated with founders in many capacities, held board seats for three portfolio companies, and participated as an adviser to various multiple teams. Emily also ensures proper governance at the company level and creates impactful deal structures, thus being active in investment decision-making and processes on investment oversight.
2. Chanda Macias
If you ever heard of National Holistic — a cannabis and hemp healthcare enterprise — then Chanda Macias should ring a bell as she is the CEO and the owner of this very company. With an MBA and Ph.D., Chanda expanded her footprint as the Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO for Women Grow. She also became more influential as she took over through Ilera Holistic Healthcare, a partner of Southern University, a cultivation/processing facility in Louisiana state.
As a proud member of Americans for Safe Access, she also serves as the Treasurer and Secretary of the DC Medical Cannabis Trade Association, as well as one of the Board of Directors for the Minority Cannabis Business Association.
3. Emily Skrobecki
"There's a reason this is the fastest growing industry the world has ever witnessed. Not a single plant on Earth has the same synergistic effects as cannabis does, and scientists have barely scratched the surface of its abilities. It's great to be a part of this maturing industry, especially as a scientific influence." - Emily Skrobecki.
Emily's are seemingly dominating this list as another one enters the top influential women in the cannabis industry. CannSTEM, an organization that connects women professionals in the cannabis field, has only been possible with the support and guidance of its founder, Emily Skrobecki. She is also the Manager of Process Engineering at SōRSE, where she experiments with the water solubility of cannabis.
This organization also has technological advancements that improve the stability of cannabis, the bioavailability of cannabinoids, and more dosing consistency to create a better and safer tasting for consumers. SōRSE played a vital role in the development of several edible cannabis products and even some female sexual lubricants.
4. Amanda Ostrowitz
Before conceiving, developing, and founding her current enterprise, Amanda Ostrowitz worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank, Denver branch. Aside from being the founder of CannaRegs, Amanda is also a regulatory attorney and entrepreneur in Cannabis regulations and banking law.
She is a Colorado College alumnus, where she took B.A. in Economics and continued taking up law at the University of Denver Sturm until she began serving as the CEO and founder of CannaRegs.
5. Amy Margolis
Named one of the 50 Most Important Women in Cannabis by Cannabis Business Executive (CBE) and on The Political 100, Amy Margolis is also known as the "Pot Power Woman." She is the Founder and Program Director for The Initiative — the world's first business accelerator for female-founded cannabis businesses. Amy has been assisting several states for both medical and adult-use programs to implement adult-use cannabis legalization.
The cannabis industry has undoubtedly undergone tons of struggles and political disputes, but these women are the answers to such conflicts. Although the cannabis field still has a long way to go for their actual goals, women like these five can achieve these goals sooner rather than later. If you're a woman who wants to promote the use of cannabis, you can start by growing your own plants at home to inspire those care about marijuana.
Courtesy of The Weekend Gardener
WRITTEN BY
SWAAY Editorial