In an industry where women held approximately 39% of executive positions in 2023, yet only 16–22% of business ownership, a growing number of women are leading some of the most innovative and high‑growth cannabis businesses in the United States. We’ve highlighted ten standout companies helmed by female executives who combine leadership, advocacy, analytics, and consumer‑focused strategy.
1. CTrust (formerly New Frontier Data) — CEO & Co‑Founder: Giadha DeCarcer
Giadha DeCarcer founded New Frontier Data in 2014 and led it for several years as CEO before transitioning to Executive Chair. She later co‑founded CTrust, a financial advisory and data‑analytics firm for cannabis operators and investors. Her companies are widely cited across the industry for shaping policy, investment research, and benchmarking data.
2. Ispire Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: ISPR) — Head of Impact: Luna Stower
Luna Stower began as employee #1 at Ispire and helped grow it into an 85‑person company that completed a Nasdaq IPO. She is the only female executive of a cannabis vape company publicly traded in the U.S. She also earned industry accolades such as California Cannabis Chamber’s Advocacy Award and global legalization honors.
3. Green Leaf Lab LLC — Founder & CEO: Rowshan Reordan
Rowshan Reordan founded the first accredited woman‑owned cannabis and hemp testing laboratory in the U.S., with locations in Oregon and California. Green Leaf Lab received certification from WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) and AOAC International.
4. TerraVida Holistic Centers / Zen Leaf (under Verano) — Founder: Chris Visco
Chris Visco opened the only female‑run medical marijuana chain in Pennsylvania—TerraVida Holistic Centers—earning high application scores and leading community initiatives aimed at overturning cannabis convictions. TerraVida was acquired by Verano and now operates as Zen Leaf, reflecting Visco’s successful exit from the plant‑touching retail space.
5. Dagmar Cannabis (NYC) — CEO: Jennifer Tzar
Jennifer Tzar, a former celebrity photographer, opened Dagmar in NYC’s SoHo in December 2023. As a social equity licensee with conviction history, she launched a high‑end retail dispensary generating around $4.5M in its first year, with projections near $7M in year two. The business is majority woman‑owned and led by women.
6. Etain (NY medical cannabis)
Founded as New York’s first woman‑founded and -operated medical dispensary, Etain runs four locations across the state. It prioritizes shelf space for women and BIPOC‑owned brands, actively elevating diversity within its product mix.
7. Good Grades (NY‑licensed dispensary) — Founder: Extasy James
Good Grades was New York’s first woman‑owned cannabis dispensary and remains a mission‑driven business focusing on accessibility, representation, and breaking down systemic barriers for marginalized communities.
8. Royal Highness Cannabis Boutique (CA) — CEO: Keyva King
Keyva King leads this Palm Desert dispensary boutique, which blends luxury retail experience with community outreach. Earth Essentials and the Royal Highness brand underscore her leadership as a Black woman owner in California’s cannabis retail market.
9. Jane West (brand & lifestyle) — CEO: Jane West
A widely recognized cannabis personality and entrepreneur, Jane West built her brand around cannabis lifestyle products and founded the national nonprofit network Women Grow, which supports female entrepreneurs. About 80% of her business is held by women and people of color.
10. Xula (women’s health hemp brand)
Founded during the pandemic by two minority women, Xula focuses on hemp‑based wellness products for women. Despite navigating regulatory hurdles, payment issues, and federal policy uncertainty, the founders have built a brand centered on women’s health and social equity.
Why These Women and Companies Matter
- Data‑driven leadership from firms like CTrust and Ispire shapes industry strategy and compliance.
- Retail innovators, from TerraVida and Dagmar to Royal Highness and Good Grades, are redefining customer experience and social equity.
- Advocacy and ecosystem building, through Jane West and Xula, expand opportunity pipelines and spotlight women’s health.
- These leaders operate across the cannabis value chain—testing, data analytics, cultivation, retail, branding and policy—bringing broad executive representation.
Industry Context
Despite pegged ownership numbers as low as 16% of businesses in 2023, female representation in executive leadership rose to nearly 39%. Women now dominate roles in marketing, finance, HR and product testing, reflecting a seismic shift in who shapes product development and customer engagement.
Nevertheless, challenges remain in bridging capital gaps, scaling access to funding, and developing more women in cultivation and plant-touching leadership roles.
In Review
These ten U.S. cannabis companies led by women represent a cross‑section of innovation, strategy, social equity, and entrepreneurial excellence. From delivering market intelligence and compliant infrastructure to designing consumer‑first retail experiences and women‑focused wellness brands, they reflect both the potential and leadership women bring to an industry still working to break past its “grass ceiling.”