Women Grow, a group that was started in Denver in 2014, empowers female entrepreneurship in the cannabis industry. Monthly meetings allow members an opportunity to meet each other and learn about emerging business trends. Industry experts share their knowledge during a panel discussion and attendees are encouraged to swap business cards and network during the social time that is built into each meeting’s agenda.

 

Please tell us about Women Grow

Women Grow was created to connect, educate, inspire and empower the next generation of cannabis industry leaders by creating programs, community and events for aspiring and current business executives.

Founded in 2014 in Denver by Jane West, and Jazmin Hupp. Women Grow is a for-profit entity that serves as a way for women to influence and succeed in the cannabis industry as states are fully legalizing cannabis.

As the cannabis industry grows on a national and global scale, women have the opportunity to build a new American industry from inception and redefine the workplace to create environments in which we can flourish and define our own destiny and cultivate the next generation of industry leaders.

In 2016, Vice named the Toronto chapter one of the most influential organizations in the Canadian cannabis industry.

 

What makes Women Grow different than other cannabis organizations?

First is the focus: Women. The organization’s primary goal is to turn legal cannabis into the first female-led, billion-dollar industry.

“The idea is to make sure women hold positions of leadership at the inception of the cannabis industry,” said Rachael Speegle, director of operations at The Verdes Foundation and chair of the Albuquerque chapter of Women Grow. “It’s very important because commodification of women’s bodies has historically been a part of the cannabis culture, and we wanted the emerging industry to be respectful and women-focused.”

Second is that we are truly national with local communities across the United States with 16 chapters and even one is Canada now. If you don’t have a local chapter, we can help you start one.

Three is our Signature Networking Event series. These events connect newcomers with established cannabis professionals on the first Thursday of every month. Each local event offers a supportive networking environment and educational speakers designed to ignite your passion for the cannabis industry. You can learn more about our events here. The events are open to everyone, not just women. You just have to be 21 years or older and have a valid ID.

With the women focus of organizations like Women Grow, legal cannabis could be the first billion-dollar industry not dominated by men. Women in the new legal world of marijuana are doing important work while helping to alter perceptions of this Schedule I drug. To find out more about Women Grow and find a local community, go to https://womengrow.com