Cannabis, Social Media, and the Women Behind it

By: Chelsea Smith

IG: @thebakedunicornqueen 

Social media has become a platform for the legal cannabis industry to not only display their brands but create a community revolving around the plant. Women, in particular, have found success in promoting brands, educating, and taking followers from all over the world on a journey of cannabis legalization creating relationships with these fans. Through this, they have a global reach to make a change and are jumping at the opportunity. A quick search on any popular social media site will bring up everything from Women Cannabis Business Owners, to Women’s Veterans Support Groups all based around this beautiful female plant. But its more than just a group on social media, these women are there to lift each other up by making connections, supporting businesses, and offering resources to other female-run organizations with a desire for everyone to succeed. It is a new level of compassion being brought to the table that allows for collaboration benefiting all parties involved. Groups like Women Grow, Tokativity, Women Leaders in Cannabis, Grow Sisters and Women & Weed are actively pursuing a change and equality in the legal cannabis industry. Using meetups, online classes, educational events, lobbying, and support groups they are being the voice of not only gender equality in the industry but also help break the stigma of the traditional “stoner”.

With an overwhelming number of female-run companies in a new and growing industry, access to these tools is exactly the kind of support needed for small businesses to succeed. They are setting a new standard of professionalism, class, and empathy that in business is very uncommon. The active members and supporters of these organizations are propelling this standard to the daily consumer with their interactions and vocalization via social media while allowing for public accountability in their business practices and personal lives. This standard is flowing into other organizations and companies prompting them to make female and minority employee equality a priority.

Strong female leaders in the industry are more than just business owners but also the social media influencers and educators whose dedicated followers look to them for guidance. Pages for mothers, women, professionals, seasoned consumer and canna curious consumers offer an intimate look into their private lives while testing and promoting their favorite products and brands. This gives the consumer a sense of belonging and feeling like they are part of this exciting new world of self-discovery. They discuss the taboo topics of cannabis and pregnancy, cannabis and motherhood, consuming around our children, talking to your family, cannabis and intimacy, mental health and cannabis, cannabis as trauma treatment, the list is endless. The reach does not stop within the US but allows women to connect with other groups across the globe including Canada, and the UK allowing for an international partnership of Women Leaders in the Cannabis Industry.

Unfortunately, there is still a side of the industry that does not understand the idea of lifting other women. Online attacks and slander are all too common among women. In an age of equality if a change is going to be made women need to continue to set the standard of how to be treated. This starts with the way we interact with each other, once the hate and jealousy stop on our end it will be easier to demand a certain level of respect of the rest of the industry. Become part of the voice and link up with your local women’s group, if you don’t have one form one. This is a new and booming industry with room for everyone to create your space and be a part of history.

Photo Model: @themommyjane TM