Over the past few years in the face of legalization we have seen more and more women launching marijuana-based companies all over the country. In a male dominated world, these trailblazers are beginning to completely shatterer the glass ceilings have typically existed for women in the corporate world. Because cannabis has such a new and emerging market it has allowed women to completely rewrite the rules and they are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. Canna-Fusion is so excited to be a part of this extraordinary movement.

The cannabis industry has been referred to as the first billion-dollar industry not dominated men, and women are being seen as a driving force behind the massive amount of growth taking place within this rapidly expanding industry. In fact, Marijuana Business Daily notes that women make up approximately 36 percent of marijuana industry executives, whereas that number is only at about 22 percent within other industries.

What has driven all of these female entrepreneurs to this particular market? Why are so many women stepping up to the plate to lead this industry in its initial stages?  We can take a look at Canna-Fusion’s very own Cheryl Marquart for some answers.

In 2015 Cheryl’s home state of Oregon had an interesting year. Marijuana became legal and all of a sudden a new market began to emerge. Her husband, Jim, had always been fascinated with marijuana plants, so he began growing some plants for friends /patients. Cheryl wasn’t so keen on the whole idea at first to be honest, but by the end of summer that had all changed.

Having sustained a serious back injury that summer, Cheryl turned to chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and yoga but was still experiencing severe pain. It wasn’t until experimenting with the healing properties of essential oil and cannabis combinations that she finally found relief. The salves she was creating in her very own kitchen provided rapid, lasting pain relief, with no high or side effects. Her pain was gone!

With legalization, Cheryl was seeing an entirely new set of cannabis related businesses emerging in Oregon and she decided to get on board. Several studies have shown that women in general are less likely than men to be comfortable with the idea of operating within an industry that remains in a sort of legal gray area but this didn’t stop Cheryl. She herself had experienced the potent healing abilities that cannabis provides and also received tons a great feedback from the people she had provided samples of her product to. It was time to step it up and do her part to make a difference in this world.

Cheryl launched Canna-Fusion, however, quickly learned that while there were less barriers to entry, there were still many regulatory issues that created problems for the business. She rode the wave though and has stood out as a powerful contender in a market where many have failed. By hanging in there Cheryl has proven her ability to completely re-write the rules and stand firm as a powerful female player in this industry.

Female leaders like Cheryl in this industry are all trying their best to navigate through the challenges that still relatively new market presents. It is to no surprise though that these women tend to be super supportive of each other. In the last few year several organizations have sprung up that are devoted to furthering women’s roles in the cannabis industry. Women Grow is a Colorado based organization created in 2014 by women for women. Women Grow aims to connect, educate, inspire and empower the next generation of female cannabis industry leaders. They organize programs, community and events for aspiring and current business executives in the cannabis world. Just the very fact that Women Grow exists, and now has over 30 chapters across the United States, is a clear indicator that women in weed are here to stay!

So it is very evident, Ms. Mary Jane herself is calling on all of these women healers and entrepreneurs out there and asking them to pave the way for her as she enters into the mainstream marketplace. With the unique powers that women hold all things are possible. New ways of thinking in the business world are becoming prevalent and the strategies that men have overlooked are carrying these female industry leaders into the next stages with tons of force.

A big thanks is due to all of you women out there leading this movement. Future generations of female cannabis entrepreneurs will benefit greatly from all of your hard work and persistence. Keep up the good work ladies!