Happy International Women’s Day! If you’re like us, you have a few awesome ladies in your life, and today is the perfect time to shine a light on the history of women in cannabis. In this one, we’re going way, way back.

THE EARLY YEARS IN HEMP

Before Queen Victoria consumed (yes, that Queen Victoria), ancient cultures relied on the therapeutic and medicinal effects of the hemp plant. Going all the way back to ancient Egypt around 1400 BC, we have record of a woman named Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs in Egyptian history. It was said that the Egyptian royal used hemp to manage monthly menstrual pain.

Although it’s a challenge to find records of people who used hemp or cannabis thousands of years ago, we do have some relics. Turns out, the Ebers Papyrus, an herbal medical text from ancient Egypt, also prescribes hemp to help ease discomfort during childbirth. And if you do a little digging in art, you may find depictions of Seshat, the ancient Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing. A star-shaped leaf icon on top of her headdress has many historians convinced is cannabis.

You can call it “mummy’s special helper” but Princess of Ukok was onto something when she was alive in 500 - 401 BC. Also known as the Siberian Ice Maiden and/or Altai Lady, in Russia in 1993 historians unearthed the 5th century mummy, who they found buried with cannabis. Scientists found that she had died from breast cancer and a bone infection, which means she likely consumed cannabis to ease the pain.

Fast forward a few thousand years to the Middle Ages of 1098 - 1179, when German seer, physician, scholar, and abbess Hildegard von Bingen wrote in her health guide Physica that hemp could be used for a variety of therapies. Some included applying a healing hemp cloth to soothe wounds, and ingesting hemp to reduce pain. She called this medical magic “green power” and has been proven by modern-day scientists and doctors, to still be scientifically sound and correct.

And despite the nineteenth century being one of the most socially restrictive periods in recorded history, Queen Victoria herself received cannabis from her personal doctor to ease menstrual cramps.

MODERN DAY WOMEN IN WEED

We’d be remiss (holding back on that pun) if we didn’t mention Margaret Mead, renowned anthropologist who testified before Congress in 1969 in favor of the legalization of marijuana. She states in her official testimony: “It is my considered opinion at present that marijuana is not harmful unless it is taken in enormous and excessive amounts. I believe that we are damaging this country, damaging our law, our whole law enforcement situation, damaging the trust between the older people and younger people by its prohibition, and this is far more serious than any damage that might be done to a few over-users, because you can get damage from any kind of overuse.”⁠ ⁠

Her experience as an anthropologist also gave her firsthand perspective of the numerous cultures across the globe that consumed cannabis. “In the West Indies, people smoke marijuana to get through a hard day’s work and after they have done the hard day’s work they smoke another bit of marijuana to relax and enjoy the evening,”⁠ she would go on to state during that hearing.

WOMEN IN CANNABIS TODAY

And women keep passing the torch, with more and more women occupying space and seats in the cannabis industry (and beyond). Cat Packer is the first Executive Director and General Manager of the Department of Cannabis Regulation, oversees the City’s licensed commercial cannabis market and advises the City of Los Angeles on cannabis law, policy and regulation. Ms. Packer has a commitment to fighting for equitability in the cannabis space, and is making waves in the space already.

Marie Montmarquet is another awesome woman working in weed, and is the co-founder of MD Numbers, Inc., an integrated cannabis company whose offerings include cultivation, distribution, retail customers, and social equity in the Bay Area.

In cannabis tech, Jessica Billingsley is the founder and CEO of Akerna, and is the first woman to lead a cannabis company to trade on the NASDAQ, as well as the first cannabis ancillary company to be listed on the NASDAQ.

And you may have heard of Maha Haq, the Director of Education at NORML. Did you also know they’re the Founder and President of Cannaclub? This canna-preneur/educator launched the endeavor at her alma mater, UCLA, and the organization can now be found across the country. It’s aim is to “ignite student engagement in the cannabis space to create a community centered around interdisciplinary research, social innovation, and entrepreneurship,” according to the UCLA chapter’s website.

If you’re wondering who the first Black female entrepreneur to own a multistate cannabis operation is, that would be none other than Dr. Chanda Macias, is the CEO of Illera Holistic Healthcare, and Chairwoman of Women Grow. She has a Ph.D. and MBA from Howard, and is considered a top research scientist in the biomedical space.

THE WOMEN BEHIND NO BAD BUDS

Would it surprise you to know that half of the team here at No Bad Buds is female? That’s why the history of women and cannabis means so much to us, because we’re still writing it today!

Get to know the girls who make No Bad Buds possible!

Marielle Shalay, Chief Culture Officer

“I love seeing women kick ass in the cannabis industry. Being able to meet and learn from people who have lit the way for cannabis inspires me everyday.”

Mandy used to have black hair, she’s always had the labcoat

Mandy Spivey, Founder & Creative

“There’s still so much to learn about this amazing plant, which is why I’m so passionate about cannabis education. I’m grateful to be a part of our blooming cannabis market, and I know my mission here: to use education to change the way we talk about cannabis. It’s time to get rid of the stigma, and that comes with transparency and understanding.”