Badass Women of Cannabis 2020

Badass Mujeres del Cannabis 2020

Women who are transforming the cannabis sector today

Today the cannabis world is growing and there are many women right now changing this sector every day. We want to enlighten you with the work that some of the women we admire at The Beemine Lab are doing. Women who are not only scientists, writers and doctors but also activists, interdisciplinary cannabis fighters with an egalitarian and tolerant vision of the future.

Zoe Sigman

Cannabis writer and educator focused on the scientific field.

  • Founder of Inflorescence
  • Scientific Editor of Broccoli Magazine
  • Project CBD Program Director (2018-2020)
Zoe Sigman is known for being one of the most important experts in cannabis education . After spending a few years in Humbolt County, she moved to Portland to work at Farma , a medical and recreational cannabis dispensary. She is an activist at heart, one of her biggest interests is prison reform , and that passion led her to want to help patients and cannabis consumers who were overwhelmed with information about the benefits and adverse effects of cannabis. Their main mission in recent years has been to make information about cannabis more accessible to users , both by editing and summarizing scientific articles so that people like you and me can understand it and be informed with reliable and accredited content. She has defended cannabis and its use before the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and is an advocate for cannabis and its medicinal and recreational use with the aim of helping patients, doctors, cannabis professionals and consumers. One of her projects that we like the most is her work at Broccoli Magazine, a women-led magazine for cannabis lovers . She is now the science editor and has made a podcast a few months ago that is ideal for understanding the science behind cannabis “ Cannabis science is magic .” After several years as Program Director at Project CBD, Zoe will now embark on the freelance world. We wish her the best of luck. We had the opportunity to speak with Zoe so she could answer a few questions:

Christina: Top 3 inspirational role models/female leaders from the past or present?

Zoe: Angela Davis, Ina May Gaskin, Marsha P. Johnson

Christina: What is the coolest/least cool thing about being a woman in the cannabis world?

Zoe: My favorite thing about being a woman in the cannabis industry is the incredible network of women I’ve had the privilege of working with. There are so many amazing opportunities for women in this industry. Plus, the women’s community is often focused on finding ways to increase diversity and equality in the industry, which is vital in every sector. It seems like cannabis is really doing something about it. That’s inspiring. I’m so grateful to have met such powerful and passionate women in this space.

I'm not sure if there's anything I really hate about being a woman in the cannabis industry. It's one of the few communities I've been a part of that focuses on empowering women to do whatever they want to do. I've met the most incredible mentors who treat me like a valuable human being, regardless of my gender.

Historically, in the unregulated market, gender roles were tactically enforced: women cut the weed and men grew it. Those kinds of gender roles are still threaded throughout the cannabis industry, but the regulated market allowed women to formally challenge their prescribed roles in cannabis production. There is certainly still work to be done, especially as we face a decline in cannabis businesses led and founded by women.

Christina: What is your favorite way to use cannabis?

Zoe: I am always looking for something to lift my spirits and keep my mind clear. I tend to vape limonene and beta-caryophyllene dominant cultures after I finish my work for the day. I love to stretch my body and dance to let the stress of the day melt away.

Thank you so much Zoe for sharing your time with us. We can't wait to meet you in person one day. <3
  • Follow her on Instagram: @zoe_sigman
  • His work at Project CBD
  • Check out their website to stay informed about their work and find their articles.

Viola Brugnatelli

Neurocellular scientist with a pedagogical approach

  • Co-founder and director of Cannabicienza
  • Science Board of the Canna Foundation
  • Co-founder @lern_herstory , a lobby she founded for women's equality in the world of cannabis.
Viola Brugnatelli is a neurocellular scientist, passionate about understanding our body and how endo+phytocannabinoids work and learning more about the endocannabinoid system. She is the co-founder and director of Cannabicienzia , a training centre for people working in care, medicine or nursing, which provides information on the uses of medicinal cannabis . She is a professor at the University of Padua where she teaches classes on the ECS, raw cannabis, cannabic acids (CBDA, THCA, precursors of THC and CBD), terpenes and other components of cannabis. She recently joined the scientific board of the Canna Foundation, which is dedicated to research into the properties and benefits of cannabis. His research focuses on inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and he is currently investigating the uses of raw cannabis and its applications. He has a vocation for education and for transmitting the natural remedies that nature offers us. Check out his work at Nature Going Smart , where he was Editor in Chief for 4 years in Dublin. She has also created a lobby to promote women's equality in the cannabis world , called LERN Herstory . They focus on promoting equality, diversity and research into women's diseases. We had the opportunity to speak with her and have her answer a few questions:
  • Christina : Who are your top 3 inspirational role models/female leaders from the past or present?
  • Viola : In the cannabis field I would say: Christina Sanchez, Carola Perez and Marilyn Barrett

She also left us a link to a video in which she talks about her top 5 female scientists in history .

  • Christina: What is the coolest/least cool thing about being a woman in the cannabis world?
  • Viola: In Europe, especially Mediterranean Europe (where Cannabiscienza Srl is based), it is still a man's world. There are many problems that arise with this, as I am the CEO of the company, I got used to being looked down upon for my presence - the fact that the person who makes the decisions of the company seems to be a healthy woman in her 30s seems to still cause a lot of confusion, and it is not unusual for companies I consult to require my male COO to intervene to obtain payments, for example, which are often ignored when I ask for them politely.

On the other hand, this has required me and the rest of the women who are driving change to step up our game even more, to give 300% when 90% would be enough. To be bold and decisive about the fact that we are not going to wait for the culture to accept our presence, but rather we are going to promote a cultural change through our presence. With small and larger daily actions: from ensuring that our office bathrooms are equipped and adapted to our needs, to incorporating a culture of diversity and the commercial benefits derived from cannabis, to all the collaborators, companies or academies with which we interact.

As we have pointed out in LERN herstory , gender equality is not only represented by quantity. It is the quality of such presence that is important and therefore the type of conduct that women involved in business carry out. We do not want to be a copy of our male counterparts; the expression of our femininity is at the root of a successful integration of equality.

Within this framework, we see the mutual support of women, each with their own characteristics, but united by a common goal. This is what sets us apart from a culture that saw the few women in positions of power separate themselves from other women and imitate the work style of men.

We believe it is more empowering to lead on our own terms, putting caring practices at the center of the table, and I think this is probably my favorite aspect of being a woman in this industry. It is novel enough to build it differently: caring about the environment while also caring about diversity.

  • Christina: In your opinion, what do you think is the most promising research being done right now?
  • Viola: This question is very difficult to answer... I am currently involved in a couple of studies on the neuroprotective properties and neurogenesis of cannabinoids, one on the role of the ECS (Endocannabinoid System) and microbiota in gastrointestinal pathologies and their connection with our mind and mood. I am also involved in another study on the importance of regulating the ECS with physical exercise.

Currently most of my teachings are about raw cannabis, so the nutraceutical aspects of the cannabis plant.

As you can see, it is difficult to limit ourselves to just one area. Cannabis is an incredible plant with multiple benefits and the most interesting aspect is that it allowed us to discover our endocannabinoid system, thus opening the doors to a much greater understanding of our physiology that goes beyond the use of plant cannabinoids.

Thank you, Viola, for your time, we look forward to meeting you in person.

Mennlay Golokeh-Aggrey

Interdisciplinary cannabis expert

With 15 years of experience in the world of legal cannabis , Mennlay Golokeh-Aggrey is a reference in the cannabis sector . She is a consultant for cannabis brands such as the brand launched by Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi & Maya . She collaborates on articles with brands such as Laundry Day . She is a contributor to the Broccoli Talk podcast. She has also published a book “The art of weed butter” a guide/cookbook to become an expert in cooking with cannabis. She is a writer, content creator, programmer, cook, creative ... You could say that Mennlay is an interdisciplinary cannabis creative. One of their proposals that fascinates us the most is their initiative @cenas_sin_fronteras . These are events that bring together local designer products, top chefs and even cannabis infusions. All the profits go to help people on the border of Mexico and the US . In September 2019 they raised 46,966 pesos (2,000€) for the KIND association that helps pay the legal expenses for children separated from their families. Our top recommendation is to listen to her podcast with Lauren Yoshiko , Broccoli Talk. In this podcast, Lauren and Mennlay share their vision of the key moments for cannabis in 2019. They discuss their goals for the new year and topics such as the vaping crisis, the success of CBD, and legalization. You can also buy her book, “The art of weed butter” . It has vegan recipes, recipes with Nutella, infusions, sauces and much more.

Lauren Yoshiko

Cannabis journalist Lauren Yoshiko

  • Journalist for ? Broccoli Mag, Rolling Stone, Forbes, Willamette Week
  • Co-host – Broccoli Talk
Profile : Lauren Yoshiko is a journalist focused on cannabis culture , general knowledge, food, and the arts who writes regularly for Rolling Stone, Forbes, and Willamette Weekly. Based in Portland, in addition to being one of the first female cannabis journalists, she also works with Broccoli mag and co-hosts their podcast Broccoli talk, (our favorite female-led magazine + podcast). She now has her dream job and is an outspoken cannabis advocate , but she has done a lot to get there. In fact, before it was legal, she used a pseudonym in her articles, Mary Romano. We had the chance to ask Lauren a few questions.
  • Christina : Top inspirational role models/female leaders from the past or present?
  • Lauren : I'm so inspired by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Her approach to complicated, real, multi-dimensional female characters is second to none, and seeing how she's adapting her style for the addictive Killing Eve, leading her to write the script for the new Bond film... she's on fire and I can't get enough of her work . I'm proud to be a woman and excited to tell our stories on our own terms.
  • Christina : What is the thing you like most/least about being a woman in the cannabis world?
  • Lauren : Being a woman in cannabis is not unlike being a woman in any industry. Double standards, small numbers, often 100% male ownership wherever we work, but what is especially special is the community I have found while working in the cannabis industry. The walls are immediately broken down between two women who find themselves in the weed space, and in addition to a shared appreciation for the plant, in my experience, there is also a shared curiosity, open-mindedness, and appreciation for the weirdness of things.
  • Christina : What is the next thing you are going to be researching for future articles?
  • Lauren : I’ve been writing about the Portland, Oregon scene since the first recreational retail locations started, and it’s been amazing to see a thriving micro-economy grow out of nothing in just a few short years. But now I want to get to know all the other cannabis communities that are establishing themselves in all the legal states and beyond. With such varied regulations and consumer preferences in each state, province, and country, each economy is truly unique. So many stories to tell!
Thank you Lauren for sharing your thoughts with us!!
We cannot conclude this blog without including an ethnologist who is an expert on bees.

Mar Leza

Biologist specialized in ethnology and bees

Badass Mujeres del Cannabis 2020 Mar Leza Mar Leza de Salord is a biologist specialising in ethnology and bees . She graduated in Biology from the University of the Balearic Islands. She began her career researching a wide variety of scientific studies related to pests affecting the agricultural sector and forests. She wrote her doctoral thesis on the study of two factors that affect the health of honey bee colonies : the parasite Varroa destructor and the impact of biological pesticides. Varroa destructor is a parasite that sucks the blood of bees and has been a major problem in Spain. Her career focuses on research and raising awareness about the greatest dangers to bees. She is currently a professor at the University of the Balearic Islands and Head of Studies for the degree in Agri-Food and Rural Engineering. If you are fans of La Resistencia you will have seen her interview on the programme, in which she discusses topics such as her doctoral thesis, bees and gives visibility to the fundamental role of women and girls in science . Obviously we were blown away by the mug she gave to the presenter. Go Bees!
In conclusion, the cannabis world , through a woman's lens, is an exciting space to work in ; however, as Viola points out , "cannabis is a man's world still" and there is still a lot of work to be done. Cannabis can be a sector where women lead all areas of the sector and we are extremely pleased to meet the people who are fighting to make this a reality . The first thing we can do is support each other and bring to light the work that is being done, which is very interesting and captivating. The next steps are clear… Participate, think, write and share . Edited by: Claudia Nicolas
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