Celebrating Women-Led Cannabis Organizations

by Jamie Solis for High There

“In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, High There has connected with some of the top women-focused cannabis organizations dedicated to furthering the support of women in the cannabis industry and bringing women-centric education to the masses. 

We chatted with Amber E. Senter, co-founder and executive director of Supernova Women, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded by Black and Brown women in 2015 with the goal of supporting Black and Brown people’s presence in the legal cannabis industry.

Supernova Women
Supernova Women is a standout organization that was founded by Black and Brown women back in 2015. Over the years, the female leaders at Supernova Women have created opportunities for people of color in the cannabis industry. These women have executed their mission through advocacy, education and network building.

“Supernova Women formed to address a need to include Black and Brown folks in the conversation of cannabis legalization. We could not stand by and let big business come for the very same cannabis economy for which Black and Brown people are going to jail,” Senter told High There.

One of the most memorable advocacy accomplishments of Supernova Women is

the organization’s hand in working directly with the city of Oakland to help develop the very first social equity program in the United States.

“Supernova Women was behind the creation of the nation’s first cannabis Social Equity program in Oakland. Going a step beyond social equity licensure, Supernova also ensured that Oakland would earmark funding for grants, zero interest loans and technical assistance to aid in entering the market,” Senter said. Supernova Women has partnered with Hood Incubator and Beyond Equity to successfully advocate to have taxes lowered for cannabis businesses in the city of Oakland. The biggest tax breaks have been awarded to social equity operators and businesses.

Beyond the city level, the group’s advocacy has made such a large impact that has helped shape social equity initiatives on a statewide level in California and beyond.

“We also worked with Senator Steven Bradford’s office on SB1294, the California Social Equity Act of 2018 that now funds all of the local social equity programs throughout the state,” Senter said.

The organization is dedicated to furthering inclusion and support of Black and Brown individuals in the legal cannabis industry. Most recently, Senter explained that the group held rallies for cannabis tax relief at both the Oakland City Hall and California State Capitol.

Senter also shared how taxation issues with California’s recreational cannabis program were predominantly harmful to existing and hopeful cannabis business owners who are Black and Brown. Working with Ecotone Analytics, Supernova Women released the Social Equity Impact Report 2022. This report shows lawmakers how social equity programs are financially beneficial on a large scale.

Aside from advocacy, Supernova Women has a focus on education, with a prominent focus being its Workforce Development Program. “Supernova Women’s largest educational initiative is the Workforce Development Program, the first paid cannabis program of its kind in the nation, which has been made possible by Oakland’s Social Equity funding and community support. Its goal is to offer real-world training that participants can take with them directly into a job in the cannabis industry,” Senter stated. “Participants in the eight-week training program were trained in Manufacturing and METRC/ Compliance tracks. Every member of the cohort has been affected by the War on Drugs in their community.”

The organization also provides monetary grants to Black and Brown individuals.

When asking Senter about Supernova Women’s biggest learning since its founding in 2015, three words really hit home – power of persistence. “There have been so many moments, but the number one take away for us has been about the power of persistence. We have been working on cannabis policy and programming since before adult-use was even legalized in 2018, so we have seen a lot of wins. The regulated market is far from perfect, but by being persistent, we have pushed through the never-ending layers of bureaucracy to affect real change for Black and Brown people who are seeking opportunities in the cannabis industry,” Senter said.

People of color deserve to have ample representation in the cannabis industry. Supernova Women is dedicated to reversing the negative impacts on communities of colors caused by the War on Drugs.

“For 40+ years, Black and Brown people were locked up and denied freedoms for the same activity that is enriching many cannabis corporations today,” Senter explained. “Not only has the state fallen short on its promise to right the wrongs inflicted upon minority communities by the War on Drugs, but it has also perpetuated regressive War on Drugs 2.0 policies through oppressive taxation, which has to end. We cannot stand by and watch these oppressive racist policies enrich communities except for people of color.”

Live events will continue to serve an important role in the future of Supernova Women.

“Stay tuned, because there will be a return to the type of live events we love this year! Supernova Women are hosting a Fundraising Gala in LA this summer and a Bicoastal Summit geared towards Black and Brown people in the industry this Fall,” Senter said. “We’re looking forward to getting out and meeting more Black and Brown professionals who want to succeed in the cannabis industry. We all have a place here.”

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