When you look at the cannabis industry broadly, it is mostly men that you see, be it at the dispensary, on the farm, or leading brands, and while this is true, women are largely involved in the cannabis industry in a multitude of ways. Though women are in the industry, they aren’t regularly seen at the forefront and that’s not right. According to data released by MJBizDaily in 2021, women make up 19.9% of the national cannabis businesses in terms of leadership. If we want to see more women enter the cannabis industry, traditionally or alternatively, we have to spotlight the women already in it and show more representation. So, that’s what we are doing. I would like to introduce you to two incredible women who are within and adjacent to the cannabis industry in ways that you probably have never thought of. They exemplify the creative ways women can work in/with/around cannabis in ways that aren’t just being a grower or working in a dispensary.

Meet Lauren Miele

I first learned about Lauren via social media when I stumbled upon an account called KushKards. I very quickly followed and fell in love with the account. Over the years of following the account, I was continually impressed by Lauren and everything that was coming out of KushKards, and I knew she had to be featured in this story.

Lauren started KushKards at the end of 2013 from her desire to be able to gift cannabis. Recognizing a large hole in the cannabis and stationery industries, she made the first KushKard while on the NYC metro and then continued hand-making the cards until 2015, when she decided to mass-produce them. For the past ten years, Lauren and KushKards have been a successful niche within the cannabis industry and continue to grow in terms of what is offered and its impact. This monumental moment demonstrates the incredible work that Lauren does. She is continually supporting and bringing women together to grow as entrepreneurs, inside and outside of the cannabis industry, and she’s got advice for other women interested in it.

How do you think women being in cannabis impacts/changes the industry?

By bringing outside knowledge, we [women] bring a lot to the table. When I was in product development and branding, I was able to bring every inch of that over to the business. So through my presentations, through my display packages, through my knowledge of selling a product to big companies like Bed Bath and Beyond, I was able to bring my experience to the industry that needed it, you know. Some dispensaries need that glow up. We bring something because our backgrounds are so diverse and creative, and we do a lot, and I think women have, you know, really increased and empowered their presence in the work field. So, my answer always to this is what we bring already to the table and how we can use it to help the industry.

What message do you have for other women looking to get into cannabis, be it traditional avenues or more alternative avenues?

I would just say, you gotta really be yourself. If you have to, I would go into the industry knowing, like, “Okay, I want to work at a dispensary. I want to learn about the weed. I want to be a grower, I want to go work out in cultivation and grow it.” If you’re an entrepreneur, what do you like? Really listen to what you want to do, instead of chasing what everyone else is doing.

What is your favorite part about being a woman in the cannabis industry?

The fact that I’m still here, to be honest, 10 years later. I mean, 10 years later, the fact that I’m still in the industry, that I’ve created a whole woman-focused niche, and I’m dominating it. Like, yeah, there’s some little knockouts here and there. But like, you know KushKards is rocking it, and I’m so grateful for the name and the power, because if you get a KushKard, or you meet me, you will never forget me or the KushKard.

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Meet Danielle Simpson-Baker

Danielle is known as the Sex Pot Therapist on social media. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Florida and a board-certified sexologist who works at the merging of cannabis and therapy. I came to learn about her through her social media profile when I was randomly searching for cannabis related accounts to follow on social media. I was so impressed with the education and information she was providing around sex and cannabis and followed immediately.

As someone who is passionate about sex education, I was so drawn to Danielle’s work. We know that sex ed is lacking in America, and bringing cannabis into that conversation is so important because so many people mix cannabis and sex, typically without guidance, resulting in a lot of trial and error. That’s why what Danielle is doing is so impactful. Her work doesn’t stop there, though. Danielle recently launched her sexual wellness brand, Intimaura, which focuses on digital products to support people through their sexual journey, like journals. Be sure to check out Intimaura on social media and definitely follow Danielle on Instagram (@thesexpottherapist).

What do you consider to be the benefits of cannabis use during sex?

The heightened physical sensations that make things just feel a little more intense.

Would you say that there are any cons?

Number one, you gotta know how you react to cannabis, period, like, outside of a sexual context. Does it make you more anxious? Does it make you feel something physically that you don’t like to feel? Some people feel nauseous, some people get a headache, so if it affects you negatively outside of sex, then I probably wouldn’t recommend it, or I would recommend being really mindful about your consumption. Know yourself on cannabis outside of sex first and be really mindful of how much you’re taking and what the consumption method is. Also, maybe make sure, especially if it’s partnered sex, that the person you’re having sex with is someone you’re comfortable with, because if you’re going to be consuming cannabis, you want to be able to trust that person while you’re under the influence.

What is something that you truly love about being the sex pot therapist?

Having the knowledge that people trust me as a professional in the field, and I guess I really did kind of just make a space for myself as an authority in the field. So it’s nice to know that I created that for myself, and the fact that it’s also kind of created somewhat of a community for people to be able to talk candidly about these things and get information.

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