DESCRIPTION

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the newfound power of buying and using pot. So, first things first - here's a basic look at the plant. What is it? Where has it been? And how do you use it? Even if you consider yourself a pro, a little refresher could not hurt.

As cannabis moves towards legalization and declining social stigma, the green rush has ignited an entrepreneurial spark and that means blazing new trails, and inspiring others.

Entrepreneurs are known for heading out into uncharted territory with superhuman dedication. Add to that the grey area of working in the cannabis industry and you've got possibilities...challenging but feasible.

One thing is for certain, women are flocking to the industry and don't mind working in high-risk, unchartered territory. Women are starting businesses, growing and extracting, working in real estate and the medical community. Today, at least 25% of executive-level roles in the industry are held by women and that is a slight edge over U.S. businesses as a whole (23%). However, when it comes to cannabis, it's rarely obvious what to do next in the ever-changing political, social and medical scene, and, traditionally a woman would have relied on herself when challenges arise.

In this premium book, the power of personal narratives brings a better understanding to these complex issues. When asked to share their own stories within the context of the industry, the women on these pages made connections between their own biographies and the industry, and happily pass on that knowledge.

Maybe the reader will see herself in these pages or perhaps she is still learning and unlearning. (Don't worry, we've got a primer for you!) Either way, readers will soon realize that they are not alone and there are resources to get more involved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elana Frankel is co-founder of multiple businesses in the cannabis industry, and is frequently a guest speaker and panelist at industry events and has been on numerous podcasts to discuss cannabis. Elana has produced stories for The New York Times, New York Magazine and the Wall Street Journal's Off Duty. She was previously creative director at One Kings Lane and an editor at Martha Stewart Living and Metropolitan Home magazines.

EVENT: A Conversation on Cannabis

Thursday March 31, 2022 7:00–9:00 PM

HudCo, 145 Palisade Street, Suite 200 Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

$35 HudCo members, $40 to public. It's legal in NY. Now what? We'll talk with local industry professionals and discover our new favorite products.

Late last year, New York State legalized the recreational use and sale of cannabis products. While there's still details being worked out before the first storefronts open up near you, there's still quite a bit of progress being made behind the scenes on the quality, style, and type of cannabis products that will be available once the shops open.

We have so many questions—should I have a cannabis doctor? How can this big change benefit our community? How can I grow my own? What can I expect from today's weed if I've never really been into it? How can I talk about all of this with my kids? Our friend and author of Women in Weed Elana Frankel has gathered a group of local industry leaders to have a discussion around these questions and whatever questions you may have.

A portion of each ticket sale will go to support the Innocence Project, which exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.

Let us introduce our experts:

Mary Pryor, Co-Founder, Cannaclusive—Mary is a powerful and accomplished digital and marketing specialist who has worked for major brands such as Sony Music Group and Viacom. She's the co-founder of Cannaclusive, a collective focused on inclusive marketing and business advocacy in the cannabis industry. She's the New York Chapter President of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and she serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Tonic CBD and Tricolla Farms. She currently serves on the board for Possible Plan, a Cura Cannabis social equity effort and serves as an advisor and judge for Eaze Momentum Accelerator. She advises three cannabis and non-plant-touching companies: Kanna, Dieux Skin, Flor De Maria Chocolates. She is a proud native Detroiter and graduate of the University of Michigan.

Saki Fenderson, Co-Founder, Tainted Love BK—Award-winning speaker, author, cannabis educator, and community activist with a decade of experience educating individuals looking to explore the history, wellness and benefits of cannabis, always keeping forefront the ideology that “It’s a Medicine First!” Saki is the co-founder of TLBK, LLC (formerly Tainted Love Bk) whose cornerstones of advocacy and education explore the medical, social, and cultural veins of cannabis including the racist origins of its prohibition and its use as a tool for suppressing communities of color. Saki is also known for using her love of cooking as a communicative tool to build community, comfort, and understanding around the politics, practicalities, and wellness potentials of the cannabis plant.

Kristin Jordan, Founder + CEO, Park Jordan—A commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services firm serving the cannabis industry. She is also an attorney, drug policy activist, and thought leader, and she is a frequent speaker on real estate, cannabis regulations, and social equity and economic justice issues and in 2019 was distinguished by Forbes as one of “Fifteen Powerful and Innovative Women in Cannabis Right Now." She's also the founder and CEO of Mannada, a NYC-based cannabis professional event production company, which launched The Maze, a weekly cannabis event listing newsletter, as well as the Cannabis Summit Series. Kristin is also a co-founder of the non-profit Cannabis Cultural Association and the founder of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable, a professional networking organization, both of which she served as Executive Director.

Discover local cannabis brands

• Via Viaggio, CBD gems (HudCo member)

• Parson Brown, CBD bodycare (HudCo member)

• House of Puff, puffware

• BK Broilers, caramels