Women in New Jersey’s cannabis industry opening the doors for others to succeed

As the state’s recreational cannabis industry continues to boom nearly two years after its launch, women are becoming an increasingly large part of its success.

The legal cannabis market has largely been a white, male-dominated field. But New Jersey’s legalization law includes a social equity component intended to prioritize applicants who are women, people of color, and those hurt by the War on Drugs, among others.

Women involved in different facets of the state’s cannabis industry told the New Jersey Monitor that being a woman in the business is not without its hurdles. They still face blatant sexism. They have trouble securing capital compared to their white, male counterparts. And even with New Jersey’s goals to provide social equity when approving cannabis licenses, the industry remains male-dominated.

So while they agree there are more steps to take toward equity and equality, they attribute their success to a supportive system of women cannabis entrepreneurs who lift each other up.

“I’ve been really lucky to have a lot of female mentorship in the cannabis space, which is how I gained the knowledge and competence to be where I am today. There were women who opened the door for me,” said Fran DeRogatis, owner of Bloomfield dispensary Nightjar.

Of the 1,600 cannabis licenses approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission — which oversees the state’s industry — more than 400 are for majority women-owned ventures. The 100-plus dispensaries in New Jersey are operated by 81 companies, and 39 of those are majority-owned by women, according to state data.

Commission chair Dianna Houenou said the women-led board sets an example for other entrepreneurs.

“Women are developing and implementing sweeping regulatory policies, owning, and managing thriving cannabis businesses, educating the public about emerging industry issues, and devising creative solutions to succeed despite the obstacles,” Houenou said in a statement. “Their expertise, creativity, and dedication drive growth and promote diversity and inclusivity within the industry.”

For women to continue to succeed in the cannabis industry, there must be a “statewide intentional effort,” said Jessica Gonzalez, a cannabis attorney at Rudick Law Group. Lowering the barriers to entry for businesses owned by women — and particularly women of color — will require solutions from all parties, she said: the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the Legislature, and municipalities across New Jersey.

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