Not too long ago, women were few and far between in the plant medicine industry, and while we still have a long way to go, we’re slowly moving towards a more equitable market.

According to a study published by the International Journal of Drug Policy in December 2025, the gendered nature of cannabis cultivation is lessening over time, which may be attributed to recent policy shifts.

We’ve also seen an increase in women executives, thought leaders and cannabis business owners.

We should use such a win to add fuel to our fire, necessitating the need for research and other actionary support so that we can perpetuate the increase of women’s representation in ALL areas of the cannabis industry.

Which brings us to what we like to call The 4Ps Pledge: Pay, Promote, Partner, Protect.

These steps are small yet conscious actions we can all take to support women employed in cannabis.

What is the 4Ps petition?

The 4P’s is a petition that encourages businesses to Pay, Promote, Partner and Protect women working in the cannabis and plant medicine space.

This petition began back in 2022 and, with almost 1,000 signatures, has the potential to reach millions of individuals who align with our vision for a more equitable future.

The 4Ps: Pay, Promote, Partner, Protect

Whether you are a cannabis business or not, we encourage you to adopt the 4Ps into your personal and professional life.

1. I Pledge to Pay Women:

When women are paid a fair wage, their businesses are well funded and they have a stream of paying clients, they are more likely to stick around and continue building the cannabis industry.

Pay women fairly 

To create more financial balance for women in cannabis, we can commit to paying them equally to men, paying them on time, and creating incentives such as commission and bonuses for them to earn more money as your business allows.

Fund women-owned companies

From 2024-2025, 2.3% of Venture Capital went to fund female-only founding teams, while a whopping 83.6% went to male-only teams. Yet, statistics show women-owned companies are more stable and provide a better, faster ROI. Within the cannabis industry it is particularly difficult for women to obtain funding, with owners receiving just a fraction of the capital that their male counterparts can access.

Hire women in your personal and professional lives

Whether hiring an accountant for your business, contractors to support busy seasons or household maintenance, hiring women empowers growth while leveling the playing field.

Buy from women-owned companies

If you own a cannabis business, or just work for one, requesting women-owned products is a great way to advocate and contribute to the growth of women in cannabis. You can also practice this in your personal life by shopping at women-owned businesses for things like clothing, personal hygiene or even home decor.

I pledge to the following:

I. To pay women equal to men for the same work.
II. To pay women what they are worth.
III. To pay women what I owe (when bills are due).
IV. To invest in women-owned companies.
V. To include women in my search for services (professional & personal).
VI. To buy & request products made by women.

2. I Pledge to Promote Women:

Women deserve an equal chance at receiving promotions both within and outside of the cannabis industry. This can be done through job promotions and by offering education, training, and mentorship to develop executives and leaders. The more we lift women up, the more likely they are to stay (and thrive) in our industry.

Advance women in your companies by promoting them

Few people I know are willing to stay at a company that doesn’t offer a clear, rewarding path. If you own a company, pay attention to the women who are eager to grow, and offer them opportunities as your business allows.

Educate, train and mentor women to become leaders

Regardless of what niche of cannabis you’re in, there are always opportunities to offer education to your employees. This will benefit your business and prepare them to climb into executive positions where they can thrive.

Periodically review your C-suite and board

If your business is lacking representation by women, consider filling the ranks by promoting women from within the company, or reaching out to women in your network and encouraging them to apply for positions as they open up.

Give women a platform and share their success

If you have a public platform or a podcast, invite women to come and share their stories and thought leadership. If you see a woman growing in your business or circle, lift them up and celebrate their achievements. When we stop underplaying our hard work, we provide inspiration and aspiration to the world around us.

I pledge to the following:

I. To nurture the women who work for me and make possible moving up the chain of command from entry level or higher into management and executive positions.
II. To review my C-Suite and boards and add women when representation is lacking.
III. To foster women’s career growth through education, advice and promotion.
IV. To promote the works and acts of women to others by sharing their accomplishments publicly and privately.
V. To foster a culture where women are seen as pioneers and successful leaders by openly celebrating their successes.
VI. Recommend women for jobs that will move them up the career ladder.

3. I Pledge to Partner with Women:

Women are excellent managers by nature. They are collaborators and community leaders who bring uniquely feminine traits to business and enable others to embrace differing perspectives. Through collaboration, we can achieve greater reach and success while leaning into a less competitive and more cooperative business culture in cannabis.

Partner with small women-owned cannabis brands

Search for small women-owned cannabis brands and offer partnerships that support their endeavors. Aligning with these businesses not only positions you as an industry advocate, but also shows other women that being a small business is not a deterrent to success.

Offer mutually beneficial partnerships

When forming partnerships with women in cannabis, make sure the partnership is fair, feasible and mutually beneficial. Maintain open communication so both parties’ needs are met, and the partnership feels collaborative rather than a monetary exchange.

Take the initiative to inform and teach women about partnership

Not everyone is well-versed in partnerships. Rather than taking advantage of these women, strive to educate them on the partnership process and ensure they learn how to choose the right partners and protect themselves. If you are approached for a partnership and you don’t believe it’s a good fit, always do your best to explain why, and recommend other companies you believe will be a good fit.

Collaborate on projects, big and small

Not all partnerships need to be long-term investments. If you’re hosting a giveaway or hosting an event, seek out women-owned cannabis brands to get involved. This is a great way to learn from one another, share resources and cross-promote businesses and services without much risk.

I pledge to the following:

I. To collaborate and partner with other women, to support their endeavors as well as my own.
II. To create partnerships that are authentic, transparent and established as a win-win for everyone involved.
III. To bring my best self to the relationship, knowing I’m also setting an example for others and the industry of how women work together.
IV. To respect, honor and be kind to our partners if things don’t work out.
V. To not view my partner as an enemy when things go wrong but as another woman who is dealing with life as best she can.

4. I Pledge to Protect Women:

There are ways to protect each other and form tighter bonds as a community for all women and other individuals who are employed in cannabis. It starts with a commitment to the greater good.

Instituting and adhering to anti-harassment policies

A common reason women leave the cannabis industry is that they are being sexually or verbally harassed at work. If we don’t create safer environments for women, we will continue to lose them to safer industries. By instituting and adhering to anti-harassment policies, we can create safer environments for all.

Stop publicly and privately bashing other women

Thanks to social media, the world is always watching how we treat others and handle tough situations. When women publicly shame, degrade, trash, inappropriately dox, or call out other women in cannabis, it hurts us all.

Defend and stand up for women

It is imperative that we look out for each other in a way that strengthens the power of women in cannabis and beyond. If you see or hear someone doing something wrong, we encourage you to defend and stand up for women, whether you know them or not. If we ask as an impenetrable force, we will create a space where women can thrive.

I pledge to protect women from stress, shame or public doxxing in the following ways:

I. I will stand up for women who are being unfairly attacked in public or private.
II. I will not engage in negative or judgmental discourse about other women in the cannabis community in public.
III. I will not publish disparaging content or comments that attack other women in the cannabis community.
IV. I will not publicly shame, judge, denigrate or disparage another woman who I have worked with or personally been involved with if our relationship doesn’t work out.
V. I will not spread information that is unflattering or unkind about another woman in cannabis.
VI. I will institute anti-harassment policies in my company and ensure they are enforced

Creating an equitable future starts with you (and your signature)

As we work to increase opportunities for women in the cannabis industry, we recognize that focusing on inclusivity is imperative. We are committed to creating spaces where women of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, ability, body type, background and lived experience are welcomed and empowered to lead.

We encourage you to sign The 4Ps Petition and conduct business and personal relationships accordingly.