- Women now represent about one-third of cannabis consumers, which is changing how products are developed and marketed.
- Women who are leaders in cannabis are pioneering new ideas in areas like medical research, fashion, and business.
- Even though they have a lot of influence, women are not well represented in top management and investment positions in the cannabis industry.
- Studies are looking into how cannabis use affects genders differently, including if there are different risks of addiction.
- Women who are entrepreneurs are changing what the cannabis experience is like by creating fashionable and useful accessories.
Every March, we pause to recognize the women who have shaped history—in fields from science and education to art and activism. However, there is another group that deserves attention: women in the cannabis world. These innovators are changing an industry that has for a long time been defined by stereotypes, stigma, and male perspectives. They are not just changing cannabis; they are changing how we see it—for medicine, for fun, for style, and for culture.
Past Restrictions: Smoking, Femininity, and Censorship
In the past, the image of cannabis use was strongly tied to gender, pushing women to the side of the culture. Propaganda against drugs from the early 20th century often showed women users as bad or immoral, playing on general social worries about women becoming more free and independent. These campaigns used existing patriarchal views, making cannabis another way to limit women's choices and freedom.
Popular culture also made this division stronger. For many years, media about cannabis showed users almost only as relaxed, rebellious men—like Cheech and Chong or the "stoner dude" types in teen movies. Women were mostly not there or shown as just additions, if they were included at all. This lack of presence added to the social stigma around women who use cannabis, making many feel they had to hide their use.
Social results for women were often more severe, especially for women of color. While cannabis prohibition affected everyone, the combination of gender and race made things worse. Mothers, professionals, and caretakers risked legal problems and public shame if they were found using cannabis—no matter if it was legal or for health reasons.
These cultural restrictions had effects beyond just how people saw things. They directly limited women's ability to get cannabis for medical or therapeutic purposes, discouraged open talks about its benefits, and stopped women users from freely experiencing and shaping cannabis culture.
Breaking Stereotypes & Increasing Presence
Now, the story is changing—and quickly. Women are increasingly taking charge of how cannabis is used, marketed, and experienced. With close to one-third of cannabis consumers being women, this growing group has made a big impact across the industry. Products are now being made considering women’s needs, preferences, and styles—a big change from the past male-focused way of doing things.
From stylish packaging to cannabis types made for period pain relief, branding aimed at women has created more openness and empowerment. There are many success stories: CBD oils focused on wellness for stress relief, edibles with small doses for anxiety, and skin-care lines that include cannabinoids. These new ideas aimed at women do more than just sell products; they broaden who cannabis is for.
Also, more presence of women makes cannabis seem normal to more people. Moms, CEOs, athletes, and artists are openly sharing their experiences with cannabis on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts. Their openness helps remove the stigma around cannabis use and shows new kinds of consumers beyond the old "lazy stoner" idea.
This increase in women's presence is not just changing the image of the user—it is changing the whole industry. From growing and making products to selling them, more women are joining the field with ideas that are not only profitable but also meaningful.
Women Cannabis Leaders Changing the Marketplace
The cannabis industry is still new, so it is a good place for new ideas and leadership—especially from women. In different parts of the industry, women cannabis leaders are questioning old ways of doing things with new ideas based in science, design, and community care.
For example, consider Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan—scientist, researcher, and cannabis supporter. Her story started when standard medicine could not help her baby son's seizures. She turned to cannabis and created a CBD-based treatment that greatly helped his recovery. Now, she is working to grow cannabis research, focusing on good science and real-world effects.
Brett Heyman, who is fashionable and the founder of cannabis brand Edie Parker, brings style and class to the cannabis consumer experience. Her line of fancy accessories, like designer bags that can also hold cannabis, allows women to easily include cannabis in their lives—without giving up style. She is not just selling products; she is offering a way of life.
Other women who are breaking ground, such as Wanda James, the first Black woman to own a dispensary in Colorado, are leading the way in changing policies and social fairness. James has been very important in pointing out the racial unfairness related to cannabis prohibition and keeps working for fairness in industry hiring and licensing.
These leaders all share a dedication to changing both how cannabis is seen and how it works in today's society. Their work goes beyond just market value—they are creating systems that are more open, fair, and expressive.
Gen Z Women and Cannabis: Normalization and New Ideas
Perhaps no group shows the culture change more than Gen Z women. Born when cannabis was becoming legal and more normal online, they see cannabis with fewer old stigmas compared to older generations. For them, cannabis is not rebellious—it is a normal lifestyle choice like choosing organic skincare or oat milk.
Online platforms have allowed Gen Z women to become both users and creators of cannabis culture. Cannabis content creators on TikTok and Instagram are talking to audiences through product reviews, videos explaining things, funny skits, and even cooking guides. These platforms have become safe places for cannabis discussions and building communities.
Their focus on style is influencing cannabis branding and marketing. Soft, light colors, calm fonts, and simple designs are common in the new wave of cannabis packaging. These design choices speak directly to what Gen Z values: being real, sustainability, and emotional health.
New ideas are key to their approach. Startups led by Gen Z women are looking into technologies for microdosing, consumption tools connected to apps, and wellness plans that include different groups of people. They are changing dispensaries from just places to buy things into lifestyle centers that encourage learning and connection.
Most importantly, Gen Z’s welcoming attitude—supporting LGBTQ+ rights, gender fairness, and mental health—is part of their cannabis presence. For them, cannabis is not something to fight for; it is already normal and fits into their bigger idea of a better world.
Overcoming Challenges: Gender Inequality in Leadership
Even with their growing visibility, women in cannabis still face clear obstacles, especially in leadership roles. Reports show that women hold less than 20% of top executive positions in the cannabis industry. This difference is even bigger for women of color.
Many say that not having enough access to money is a major problem. Businesses led by women consistently get less funding than those led by men—not just in cannabis, but in all industries. In a new market where costs for licenses, production, and marketing are high, this inequality makes the issue worse.
There is also the issue of mentorship. The business world has historically been dominated by men, leaving many women cannabis entrepreneurs without role models or professional advice. Limited networks, unconscious bias in hiring, and not being part of industry insider groups further complicate their progress.
Problems with workplace discrimination and harassment are still happening, especially in dispensaries and grow operations. Women have said they feel unsafe or not valued in places that often do not have good HR policies and management structures that are open to everyone.
To fix these inequalities, we need to take action in many areas: more investment money for cannabis businesses owned by women, more support from organizations for mentorship and leadership growth, and stronger rules enforcing fairness at the state and local levels.
Advocacy & Education: Women's Health and Cannabis Research
The connection between women's health and cannabis use is becoming a very important area for research. However, it is still not well studied. Groups like Women’s Health Research at Yale are starting to close this gap—looking at how cannabis use and addiction are different between sexes and how cannabinoids might affect conditions like endometriosis, PMS, anxiety, and perimenopause.
While personal stories have long supported cannabis for easing symptoms, scientific proof is needed to make it more normal and accepted in medicine. For example, cannabinoids like CBD and THC have shown promise in reducing period cramps and mood changes, but the best doses and long-term effects are still not well known.
Cannabis products made for women specifically—like suppositories, tinctures, and topicals—are also increasing the need for focused education. As more women choose plant-based options over medicines, correct and easy-to-understand information must go along with this trend to make sure people use them safely and knowledgably.
Women health advocates are playing two roles—as both teachers and activists. They are hosting online events, writing blogs, and organizing discussions to make sure that cannabis is understood not just as something for fun, but as a health support for women's bodies.
The Rise of Cannabis Accessories Designed by Women, for Women
Useful style is changing cannabis tools, and women are at the center of this change. Lighters, rolling trays, or stash boxes are no longer just seen as practical items. Women designers are making accessories that fit with lifestyle desires—stylish, subtle, and empowering.
These tools are often designed with real daily situations in mind: a vape that fits easily in a small bag, a stylish joint holder that looks like a lipstick case, or rolling kits made with sustainable materials. Brands like Sackville & Co., Elevate Jane, and Yew Yew have become known for combining cool design with useful function.
These products improve the ritual of cannabis by letting users enjoy personal, luxurious moments. It is becoming less about just getting high and more about self-care and managing emotions—like a spa experience rather than a party.
This move toward stylish cannabis accessories is important; it shows a change in what is valued in product design—asking for thought, quality, and connection to identity.
Empowering Rituals: The Role of Rolling Culture
The act of rolling is still important in many smoking groups, and women are making that ritual their own. Once mostly done by men, rolling joints or making cannagars is increasingly being done by women as a way to feel empowered and creative.
Rolling encourages focus and being in the moment—a calming preparation before getting high. By designing tools that make this experience better, brands led by women are turning smoking into a creative, intentional ceremony.
Purple Rose Supply, for example, specializes in high-quality rolling tools that allow users—no matter their experience—to make cannagars and other fancy smoking items at home. These tools help make craftsmanship more available, putting luxury smoking experiences in the hands of everyday users.
Through workshops, guides, and social media content, rolling culture is spreading, allowing women to take pride in their skills and express themselves creatively through cannabis.
Media Representation and the Shift Toward Inclusivity
The media is finally starting to show what is really happening. Women cannabis users, who were once not seen or shown wrongly, are getting more screen time and real portrayals. From magazine photos to product ads, the variety of women cannabis users is being shown openly.
TV shows, documentaries, and online content are breaking down old stereotypes—replacing them with characters and influencers who show the real, complex ways women relate to cannabis. This visibility makes it easier for consumers to see themselves in the culture and to feel welcome in places where cannabis is used.
Influencers and bloggers are now acting as teachers, supporters, and business owners, using their platforms to talk about mental health, product suggestions, and laws. The presence is not just for show—it is helpful.
Tokin’ Women: Chronicling the Forgotten Herstory
While the current movement feels new, women have always been part of the cannabis story. Tokin’ Women: A 4000-Year Herstory looks at the roles women have played as healers, spiritual leaders, and cultural figures connected to cannabis since ancient times.
Author Ellen Komp’s work highlights people as different as ancient Egyptian priestesses, jazz-era musicians, and artists from the mid-20th century who used or were inspired by the plant. This deep look into cannabis history shows that the current rebirth is actually a return.
Understanding this historical background makes us appreciate things more and confirms that the female cannabis story is not new—it is just now being recognized.
Conscious Consumerism: Supporting Women-Owned Brands
Every cannabis purchase is a choice for the kind of industry we want to build. Supporting dispensaries, growers, and product lines owned by women not only increases presence but also encourages better industry practices.
Look for brands that are open about their leadership and focused on being welcoming to everyone. Websites, event shows, and industry lists now show businesses founded by women, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices that match their values.
Whether it is a pre-roll rich in terpenes, a handmade ashtray, or a line of edibles for pain relief, women entrepreneurs are behind some of the most new and interesting products on the market today.
Where the Movement Is Headed
The future looks positive and full of potential. We can expect to see more new ideas led by women around sustainability, precise dosing, eco-friendly packaging, and products made for specific health needs. As obstacles are removed and fairness improves, more women will lead not only in creating solutions, but in defining what cannabis culture means.
Companies like Purple Rose Supply are happy to be part of this change—including purpose, education, and beauty in everything they offer.
Practical Tips: How to Support Women in Cannabis This Month
- Shop intentionally: Buy from businesses owned and led by women.
- Share stories: Follow and share content from women cannabis voices.
- Attend events: Join online or in-person talks, workshops, and pop-up events.
- Get informed: Read books and history about women in cannabis.
- Engage politically: Support rules that push for gender fairness in the industry.
The Final Puff: The Future Is Female (and Lit)
Women have always had a place in cannabis—it has just taken time for the world to see it. As we finally focus on women cannabis leaders and users, the industry becomes smarter, more ethical, and definitely more stylish. So this Women’s History Month, recognize the women who show the way—with new ideas, bravery, and community at their core.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with every use—try our special rolling tools made to improve your ritual.
