Women in Cannabis | Parisa Rad Q&A

By Antonio DeRose

Women Grow was founded in 2014 in Denver, Colorado. A female-founded and managed company, Women Grow was created around four pillars of value. These pillars are: connect, educate, inspire, and empower. They are an organization encouraging women to get involved in the cannabis industry, and they are dedicated to providing the tools and networking necessary to succeed. We are pleased to have had the chance to chat with Parisa Rad, who is the Market Leader Program Director.

Parisa Mansouri-Rad also known as “The Marijuana Momma” is a marketing executive and cannabis advocate whose experience as the mom of a special needs child propelled her into the industry. When spinal fusion surgery to correct scoliosis left her then- 15-year-old daughter with a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by chronic abdominal pain, Parisa’s search for palliatives led her to medical marijuana.

After witnessing her daughter’s dramatic improvement, Parisa decided to leverage her marketing experience to re-brand the maligned cannabis industry through ongoing advocacy and education of the public on the benefits of medicinal marijuana.

Parisa graduated with honors from New Mexico State University with a Major in Agriculture Business and a Minor in Marketing. In addition to being the Market Leader Program Director for Women Grow, she is also the President of MjMomma Consulting LLC, a cannabis-focused marketing agency.

WHY DO THEY CALL YOU THE MARIJUANA MOMMA?

I’m a marketing executive that works with several female owned businesses in the cannabis space. Marijuana Momma is my personal platform, simply a behind-the-scenes of working in the industry and how we use the medicine as part of our everyday life. Just trying to end the stigma by normalizing!

WHAT DO YOU DO AS THE MARKET LEADER PROGRAM DIRECTOR?

As Director, I support our current market leaders in various states throughout the US, as well as recruit new market leaders by identifying talent in new markets. I host monthly Signature Pop-up events throughout the US, and US territories such as Puerto Rico, and I’m planning international events as well later this year.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH WOMEN GROW?

I got involved by simply attending Signature Networking events in my city of Phoenix and was truly blown away by my first Women Grow Leadership Summit in Denver. The talent, drive, and passion for the plant truly empowered me so much so that the experience propelled me to join and volunteer my own talents and experiences for our Phoenix market. I supported our local market for two years and was just recently promoted to our elite national team.

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF WOMEN GROW?

It’s an evolution of female leadership, a platform that not only helps our Market Leaders, but can be a platform for many brands & businesses looking to connect with leaders in the industry, men and women alike.

WHAT IS WOMEN GROW DOING RIGHT NOW? (FEEL FREE TO PLUG ANY CURRENT EVENTS OR PROJECTS YOU’D SPECIFICALLY LIKE MENTIONED)

Women Grow is GROWING. We are hosting events to identify talent in new markets, and I’m specifically focusing our next events in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Puerto Rico, Georgia, and Hawaii, with more markets to come!

I’m really excited about how we recently hosted our first ever parenting and cannabis pop up in Santa Fe April 5th! As a New Mexico native, I’m enthusiastic for the future of NM and the possibilities of bringing more awareness to the plant as an alternative to deadly pharmaceuticals.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF WOMEN GROW GOING?

Women Grow is moving into new territories and even countries in the near future. We have so many exciting projects and we can’t wait to share soon! Our next big event is the Leadership Summit, June 7-8, in Washington DC!