A Celebration of Trailblazers in Cannabis

From the beginning, women have played pivotal roles in the cannabis movement, often without due recognition—challenging outdated laws, fighting stigma, protecting people, and helping to build an industry from the ground up. Even dating back to ancient times, evidence proves that female practitioners were often on the forefront of innovating cannabis’ medical applications and finding new uses for the herb in daily life. 

Decades before legal dispensaries, activists like Mary Jane “Brownie Mary” Rathbun defied stigma and law to care for others. In the 1980s, Brownie Mary became famous (or infamous) for baking and distributing cannabis brownies to AIDS patients as a volunteer at San Francisco General Hospital​. Her compassionate activism helped spur the passage of California’s first medical cannabis laws in the 1990s​. These early female pioneers – from caregiving grandmothers to outspoken community organizers – laid the groundwork for the legal cannabis industry we know today. They proved that compassion and perseverance can change laws, and their legacy has opened doors for the next generation in cannabis.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the pioneers who paved the way, the powerhouses shaping today’s landscape, and the rising stars set to redefine the future. Their journey is one of resilience, innovation, and fearless leadership in the face of adversity.

Legal Trailblazers: Defying Barriers, Shaping Laws

The cannabis industry wouldn’t exist without the legal warriors who fought for its legitimacy. Women attorneys have been instrumental in dismantling prohibition and creating legal frameworks that protect businesses and consumers alike. Recently, Lauren Rudick, Jessica Gonzalez, and Fatima Afia made history by launching Rudick Law Group, one of the first women-led cannabis law firms, forging a path for female leadership in a male-dominated field. Their work ensures that minority and women entrepreneurs get a fair shot in this rapidly evolving space.

Rachel Gillette and Hilary Bricken were earlier trailblazers who took on groundbreaking cases, challenging the federal government’s discrimination against cannabis businesses. Gillette, a former NORML chapter leader, made headlines when she sued the IRS for penalizing a dispensary operating in cash. Bricken was among the first attorneys in Washington State to specialize in cannabis law, guiding businesses through murky legal waters before formal regulations even existed. Thanks to these fearless women, today’s industry has a legal foundation that continues to expand.

Policy Powerhouses: Turning Activism Into Law

Women have long played a critical role in transforming grassroots activism into sweeping policy changes. NORML Board Members Beverly Moran and Imani Dawson are prime examples. Moran, Professor Emerita of Law at Vanderbilt University, has championed equity in legalization, while Dawson, founder of TCC Media and a powerhouse in communications, pushes for social justice and cannabis education. With her sister, globally-renowned entrepreneur and business strategist Dasheeda Dawson, Imani co-founded the nonprofit Cannabis Education Advocacy Symposium and Expo (CEASE) to ensure legalization benefits those most affected by prohibition. Longtime California NORML activist Ellen Komp, author of Tokin’ Women: A 400-Year Herstory of Women and Marijuana, has fought for patients’ rights and sensible drug policy reform for decades, ensuring that the voice of the people is heard by lawmakers. 

Elected officials have also been game-changers. NORML Board member Nikki Fried, Florida’s first female Commissioner of Agriculture, spearheaded the state’s hemp program and expanded medical marijuana access. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, formerly Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has led the fight for federal reform, co-sponsoring the historic MORE Act and advocating against the War on Drugs’ disproportionate impact on communities of color. In New York, the State’s Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes have been architects of one of the nation’s most equity-centered legalization policies, ensuring resources and opportunities flow back into communities harmed by prohibition.

Entrepreneurs & Advocates: Breaking Barriers, Building Businesses

Across the cannabis industry, women are not just participating—they’re leading. Gia Morón, former president of Women Grow, built a national network empowering female entrepreneurs; as founder and CEO of GVM Communications, today she forges new narrative pathways for women achieving in the space. Dr. Chanda Macias, a scientist-turned-CEO, has mentored thousands of women in cannabis through her leadership at Women Grow and the National Holistic Healing Center.

Trailblazer Wanda James shattered glass ceilings, becoming the first Black woman to own a licensed dispensary in the U.S. when she launched Simply Pure in 2009, and using her success to advocate for diversity and mentor others breaking into the industry. In 2022 she was elected to represent Congressional District 1 on Colorado’s University Board of Regents, making her the first Black woman to hold such a position in 43 years and the first cannabis professional elected to public office in Colorado.

Shaleen Title, Mary Bailey, and Karen O’Keefe are among the women driving lasting policy change. Title, a former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissioner, helped design some of the first equity-centered cannabis laws and now leads the Parabola Center, a think tank focused on fair cannabis policies. Bailey, as Managing Director of the Last Prisoner Project, has led efforts to free individuals imprisoned for cannabis offenses, ensuring that justice accompanies legalization. O’Keefe, a key strategist at the Marijuana Policy Project, has helped craft cannabis laws across dozens of states, making sure policies prioritize patients and marginalized communities.

The Next Generation: Carrying the Torch Forward

The movement is far from over, and our current generation of leaders is ready to take cannabis to new heights while mentoring the next. Women like Kymberly Byrnes and Christine Ianuzzi are using media and cannabis business expo events to elevate female voices in cannabis. Public relations mavens like Rosie Mattio and Zoe Wilder, and journalists like Mona Zhang and Jaime Lubin shed light on women who continue to move the needle on progress. Entrepreneurs like Nicolette Baglio are pioneering innovative hemp and CBD products, proving that women are shaping every corner of the industry.

Special recognition goes to Dasheeda Dawson, a true force in cannabis policy and advocacy. As the founding director of Cannabis NYC, she is leading New York City’s charge toward an equitable cannabis market. A former corporate strategist turned global advocate, she co-founded the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition and has been instrumental in shaping policies that prioritize community over corporate greed.

Honoring the Unsung Heroes

For every woman whose name we know, there are countless others working behind the scenes—scientists, educators, cultivators, caregivers, and activists—whose contributions keep the cannabis movement alive. From research labs to dispensaries, from city halls to grassroots rallies, these women are the heartbeat of the industry.

The cannabis movement owes much of its success to these extraordinary women—advocates, scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and warriors for justice. They have challenged prohibition, fought for equity, and built an industry that reflects the values of access, opportunity, and fairness.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we look to the future with optimism but also acknowledge the ongoing work ahead. The path to full legalization, social justice, and equitable industry participation is far from over. This tribute is dedicated to the next generation of women who represent the promise of what’s to come. Their passion, innovation, and determination will shape the next chapter of cannabis advocacy, and it is through them that the future of cannabis will be written. 

To all the women who have led, who lead now, and who will lead tomorrow—this industry is yours. The future of cannabis is female, and the future is limitless.

Happy Women’s History Month! Semper Altior!