What Women Have To Gain From Rising Cannabis Popularity

[Katelyn Baker]

A small group of New York women hope to make a real difference in the future of the cannabis market. Jazmin Hupp, Amy Peckham and her daughters, Hilary and Keeley have parlayed the Peckham wealth to establish Etain, a push for authorization to dispense medical marijuana.

Their independent wealth helped them become the first female force where cannabis opportunities usually require $750,000 to fund their entrance into the New York market. As Jazmin Hupp shared with The New York Times, "The costs of vertical integration are enormous, and it is historically more difficult for women to raise capital than men."

So, you might ask, "What do women have to gain from the rise in cannabis popularity?"

The roles women play

In addition to investing and driving cannabis opportunities, many women speak to their role in the industry:

• Customers like dealing with female budtenders who know their stuff.
• 
  
• Involved women, despite their small numbers, have formed a solid sisterhood.
• 
  
• Women dominate the trimming business, two women for every man, because they are detailed oriented and nimble according to refinery29.com.
• 
  
• According to Sabrina Fendrick, Director of Strategic Partnerships for NORML, "We need more women in leadership positions in the marijuana and drug-reform movement."
• 
  
• "Outdoor farming can be intimidating for a woman," yet women represent a large part of the farm workforce.

Women work in all parts of the cannabis industry with direct and indirect influence on outcomes. But, they are increasingly involved in investment, production, and distribution which may prove to indicate their future influence.

The changing culture

Hollywood and its spinoff media have created and sustained a male dominated cannabis culture. It's a world that belongs to make stoners at the beach or other southern California locations. It's the means to relaxation for woodsmen, campers, and assorted dudes

In the same world, women use weed moderately, delicately, and gracefully, but they have been taking the lead in cannabis related legislative issues. As Claire Howorth quoted Wendy Chapkis in Elle, "Smoking may culturally be a 'guy thing,' but voting is increasingly a 'girl thing'."

Or, in the words of advocate Cheri Sicard, "society seems to take women more seriously when they start speaking up, maybe because we are the nurturers and caregivers... maybe if mom says it's OK and she's checked it out, maybe there's something going on there."

What do women need

Perhaps women just use more common sense when thinking about marijuana use. At the risk of sounding sexist, perhaps their decisions are more need-based than euphoria-based.

• Women enjoy the social high differently than men. Men will tend to compare and contrast their experience with other men while women will share theirs with female friends and surrender more to the emotional variances.
• 
  
• Marijuana has traditionally opened creative channels reducing barriers to expression and freeing visions.
• 
  
• Weed reduces the stress of PMS, menstrual cramps, and associated headaches.
• 
  
• Smoking weed levels the social field welcoming women into otherwise defensive social circles.
• 
  
• Some studies show beneficial effects of cannabinoids in the treatment of breast cancer, chronic pain associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chemotherapy, insomnia, and weight loss.

Writing for The Atlantic, Emily Dufton says, "Women are key to passing marijuana reform legislation, whether they smoke pot or not." Some are "stiletto stoners" and one-time only smokers, but women have become influential voices in the advocacy of legalization and industry expansion.

Any remaining concerns?

Male and female teens must understand that there is jeopardy in driving under the influence of marijuana usage.

As with any intoxicant, there is a potential to psychological addiction or dependence. But, Scientific American reports, "only a relatively few percentage of those who try marijuana will become addicted."

But, it also true that there is evidence that heavy use can contribute to schizophrenia and other psychological reactions and any use of THC cannabinoids creates a risk for a fetus even though it relieves morning sickness and for a breastfeeding newborn.

What do women have to gain?

Accurate statistics on marijuana use are hard to come by as long as usage is largely under the radar. Given the admissions available, usage among men still outweighs that among women.

Still, with the potential for the expansion of legalization of medical and recreational use across more states, more women are stepping forward to play larger roles.

• They are funding startup growers, dispensaries, retail stores, and research.
• 
  
• They are organizing formal legislative and media advocacy.
• 
  
• And, they taking charge of cannabis operations, sales, and marketing.

What do women have to gain? Their voice is as strong as any if subtler than men. Their work is as passionate if less abrasive, and their power is as strong as their numbers.

News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: What Women Have To Gain From Rising Cannabis Popularity
Author: Staff
Contact: Blogher
Photo Credit: Frederic J. Brown
Website: Blogher