9 minute read
Women in Weed
Women in
WEED The Power in Numbers
ABOVE: MEG SANDERS, CO-OWNER OF CANNA PROVISIONS
As the cannabis industry expands, women and women driven teams in the industry hit her threshold, Sanders described the industry during this time as “super exciting,” and helpful in obtaining her are also growing rapidly.
In Massachusetts, a strong female partnership has formed between two women in the cannabis industry: Meg Sanders, co-owner of Canna Provisions, and Caroline Pineau, CEO and owner of Stem.
Although their partnership began through their offering of SMASH hits - a line that is only sold at these two locations - their connection goes much deeper.
Sanders began her journey in the cannabis industry back in 2009, in Colorado.
As she tried to get cultivation and cannabis license. Until 2017, Sanders was with that given company and consulted all over the nation. With two young kids to care for, Sanders said she sort of “stumbled” into this line of work. “Then, I stumbled into Massachusetts and Canna Provisions was a client [of ours],” she explained. Since joining Canna Provisions, Sanders has made her mark. Similarly, Pineau’s world wasn’t always cannabis. Prior to opening her shop in Haverhill, Pineau and her husband owned a yoga studio.
In 2020, right before the pandemic hit, Pineau opened Stem. She was nine months pregnant at the time, and soon thereafter, COVID-19 sent the country into a lockdown.
“It’s been an interesting journey and meant to be,” she said, regardless of the unexpected hurdles along the way.
“A lot of us didn’t see a future in this and could still be moms,” said Pineau. “We have incredible potential.”
Sanders added that aside from balancing being a mom and working, there are several challenges that she and other women face within the cannabis industry - solely because of their gender. This includes fundraising efforts, dealing with government
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officials, and struggles that women in power have to deal with, everywhere.
“It’s not a cheap business to start,” said Sanders.
For instance, when looking for capital, Sanders said oftentimes the conversations to be had are with men. “Investors feel more comfortable with white men,” she claimed.
Pineau agreed with Sanders. She added that on the flip side, there are more women coming in the industry, making their legacy and making alignments.
Unlike Canna Provisions, Stem is independently operated, meaning they never had to search for capital, Pineau said.
With the goal to create an environment that’s diverse and welcoming for all, Pineau is now proud to have a 100 percent woman owned cannabis shop.
Although her shop is currently this way, Pineau said it took a lot of “patience and persistence” to get here.
“It’s not always easy,” she said, in reference to the struggles she has also faced dealing with government officials.
When dealing with “young” and “ambitious” women, Pineau said getting respect is sometimes a struggle.
Nonetheless, she said these struggles have driven her to work harder, faster, and be a better leader for other women.
STANDING UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT In 2021, as Stem approached its oneyear anniversary, Pineau sued her city over impact fees.
According to the Eagle-Tribune, “No stranger to litigation, Pineau is facing a new courtroom battle after filing suit against the city over the $400,000 in fees she pays to do business in Haverhill.”
They continued, “Like the two other Haverhill pot shop owners, Pineau negotiated an agreement to pay three percent of Stem’s gross sales to the city annually for five years, as long as the expenses are ‘reasonably related’ to the costs imposed upon the city by Stem’s operation.”
“Mayor James Fiorentini, through City Solicitor William Cox, argues that Stem — located in the downtown business district — has had a variety of detrimental impacts locally. However, he has refused to go into detail on just how those issues have related to the community or how the city’s budget has taken a hit,” said the Eagle-Tribune.
To continue their work, Pineau said suing their host community in Haverhill was the necessary action to take.
Sanders explained that there is specific guidance in legislation that shows what you can and can’t spend money on when opening a dispensary.
She went on to say that the legislature is taking this issue up and they’re hoping a reform passes this year, making it easier for people to open their own shops.
Sanders said Massachusetts is one of the states that has not yet nailed down this concept, and there are many “barriers,” and “powers exercised” that creates difficulty.
“Enough is enough,” said Pineau.
Reflecting on the issue, Sanders said, “Caroline standing up to her city was a proud moment,” as a fellow woman. “I can’t say how inspiring it was to see this fight.”
Sanders added, “She was the first to stand up. I’m really proud of Caroline and proud to be partnered with her.”
THE FUTURE IS WOMEN. Over the past six or seven months, Sanders said they have reconstructed their marketing team at Canna Provisions, which is more “exclusively women led.” She noted the various skills that are prevalent in these individuals, making her “incredibly proud.”
Since this team reconstruction, Sanders said they have seen overall successes. For example, as women are primarily the consumer group making the purchases, balancing the checkbooks and so on, she believes that sales have increased, as women may feel more comfortable when dealing with another woman behind the counter. Canna Provisions currently has 125 employees.
“We offer a multi-prong approach,” said Sanders. “We offer flexible hours for moms,” and even help women with school age children.
At Canna Provisions, Sanders said
CAROLINE PINEAU, CEO AND OWNER OF STEM
they have worked hard to create a positive environment and are highly focused on job hiring and training. “We offer [jobs] for talent rather than experience in cannabis,” said Sanders. “This opens the door to more people.”
At Stem, Pineau said, “Women empowerment is at the height of our mission.”
The company even has a charitable component. “It doesn’t stop at the cannabis industry,” said Pineau. For instance, she said they do something for domestic violence month, women’s history, along with assisting single moms, helping to provide hygiene products, rape kits, and so on. WOMEN PARTNERSHIP Pineau and Sanders have partnered together with SMASH hits. Stem is the first non-Canna Provisions company to offer this product.
As of now, Sanders said they are
the only two companies to offer this line.
Pineau said working with someone as “legendary” as Sanders is an honor.
“As a woman and a fellow entrepreneur, it’s nice to work with someone with the same beliefs,” said Pineau.
When she was first presented with this partnership, Pineau said she didn’t know it would lead to this.
“Canna Provisions left Stem inspired,” she stated.
Pineau went on to say that starting from a small operator standpoint, to having Canna Provisions and ChemDog, “it’s like a pinch me moment.”
Pineau and Sanders said they hope to continue supporting one another, in any way possible. “We are always going to be stronger together,” said Pineau. Regarding the SMASH hits line, Sanders said they want to be strategic about who else may offer this, if anyone. She noted that there may be two or three others that they would partner with, however, they have “big shoes to fill” after the partnership with Pineau and Stem. industry who has experienced challenges is Angela Brown, co-owner of COAST Cannabis Co.
Similar to challenges that Sanders and Pineau have faced, Brown said she has faced obstacles with fundraising
and networking.
“Men get easier attention,” she said.
Unlike some, Brown has a male counterpart - her husband, Brian. Although this can be beneficial, Brown said it can also be challenging.
For instance, when Brown attends networking events, majority of the time, she is one of, if not the only woman in the room. However, at this point, Brown said she is “used to being the only female.”
She went on to say that customers have asked inappropriate questions to both herself and her husband, that she doesn’t believe would be asked if the gender roles were flipped.
COAST Cannabis Co. is made up of three departments, two of which are run by women.
“We have a lot of women on our team,” said Brown. Including Brown and her husband, they have 23 employees. COAST is an equal opportunity employer.
Brown said they encourage women to try the cannabis industry and enter this space. “The plant is female. There should be more females in the industry,” Brown said.
Regardless of the battles that Brown, along with Pineau and Sanders face, they all said they are “very proud to be a woman in this industry.”
ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES Another woman in the cannabis
ANGELA BROWN, CO-OWNER OF COAST CANNABIS
References https://www.eagletribune.com/news/stem-owner-suescity-over-impact-fees/article_94e99a3a-044d-54f0-9e4fd92f02e013cd.html
