Let me give you a little context as to how I got into the cannabis industry. I suffer from a condition that leaves me in ceaseless pain. As a mom of three, I couldn’t afford to zombify myself with all the opioids and other drugs out there. I needed medicine that would allow me to not only function, but have the energy to care for my children. So after learning my diagnosis, I sought out alternatives. That’s how I found cannabis. Cannabis has not only saved my life, but also my children’s lives. As much as I’m sure some of you wished your parents were catatonic when they caught you sneaking off somewhere, in the end, kids need their parents.

Because of what cannabis has done for me, I’ve worked hard to help others understand the amazing potential of this plant. As a woman, I hope to inspire other women to see our industry not as an old-boys club, but as an opportunity to make things better for others in need. Women can throw down just as hard as men can, and we can take the good with the bad. As long as you’re prepared for the bumps in the road, nothing can stop you.

I’m part of a small grow, so I tend to do a lot of different things. That includes sales, transportation and delivery, trimming, and cloning. I’ve even spent innumerable hours putting stickers on packages. I wish I could say that women aren’t treated differently from men, but the sad truth is that we are not shown the same respect, especially when we are growers. Men have frequently second-guessed my decisions or told me that I have no clue what I’m doing. I’ve heard them talk amongst each other (and even to my face), questioning why a pretty girl couldn’t be doing something better with her time.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Men have spoken extremely inappropriately to me or just completely ignored me as though I was a nuisance. When I tried to enter the industry as a budtender, I felt pressured by managers and colleagues to live up to the stereotype of a typical stoner woman, even if I knew more than my fellow employees.

Not everybody is stuck in this mindset though, and we’re not alone. Some men have been extremely supportive in my endeavors, and there are many women in this industry who have a passion to help others. From the owner and founder of Mountain Medicine Jaime Lewis, to the founders of Women Grow, and the founders of The High Ends, you can find women making waves everywhere. These women have stepped up to make the cannabis industry a safe and educational environment for women of all colors. When you are in a predominantly male-dominated industry there is always going to be the good and the bad. You just have to find the people that make you feel confident enough to enjoy what makes you happy.

I’ve learned some very valuable lessons from my time in the cannabis industry. Some were learned from the school of hard knocks, but others inspired me by showing me some amazing things. Even if some people view your presence in the cannabis industry as a nuisance or a distraction, remember that there are just as many people out there that are happy to support your dreams. If you have a passion for medicine, and a passion for caring about other people, that’s all that matters.

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Want to get in touch with Candice? She can be reached via the following methods:

1. Email: voltin66@gmail.com