Opinion
The Importance of Women in the Cannabis Industry

The cannabis industry is evolving rapidly, but like many sectors, it has long been dominated by male leadership. As legalization expands globally, the need for diverse voices and perspectives in shaping the future of this industry has never been more critical. Women bring unique experience, innovation, and leadership, but they often face systemic barriers to accessing funding, business opportunities, and executive positions.
EmpowHer Cannabis Society was founded to change this narrative. With a thriving community of over 800 women across 29 countries, EmpowHer provides a safe and empowering space for women to connect, elevate their businesses, and drive meaningful change in the cannabis industry. This platform is not just about networking:reshapes outdated social and cultural norms in business, ensuring women have an equal seat at the table as decision-makers and industry leaders.
Women’s participation in the cannabis industry is essential for innovation, economic growth, and social equity. From pioneering plant-based medicine to advocating for regulatory advancements, women in cannabis are driving new solutions and sustainable business models. However, gender disparity remains a challenge: women hold less than 25% of executive positions in the industry, highlighting the urgent need for continued advocacy and support.
The EmpowHer Cannabis Society is committed to promoting equality, influence, and collaboration by creating opportunities for women to share knowledge, gain investment, and grow their businesses. By supporting each other, we advance the industry as a whole, ensuring that the future of cannabis is built on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We warmly invite all women in the cannabis space — whether they are entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, activists, or advocates — to join us in building a more inclusive and thriving industry. Together, we can break down barriers, drive progress, and redefine success in cannabis.
Join the movement! Grow with us!
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Editor’s Note: February 11 marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to recognizing the vital role women play in innovation and scientific research. The event was created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 to strengthen the global commitment to equal rights between men and women, particularly in science and education. Heidi Whitman, one of the founders and administrators of the EmpowHer Cannabis Society WhatsApp community, which currently has over 770 members, was invited by CannaReporter® to write about the work this group has done to promote the role of women in the cannabis industry.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Heidi Whitman
