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Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on Aug. 15 at Madame Mikette’s in NYC. Tickets will sell out.
Dr. Lynn Parodneck provides medical cannabis certification and patient care in New York and Connecticut. In the newest entry of “NY’s women in cannabis,” Parodneck spoke about how she got started in the medical cannabis profession and how barriers to women leadership may be due to the reliance on connections in this industry.
Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the state’s social and economic equity plan.
NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing and balanced representation in articles.
This series will last for as long as submissions come in.
Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it?
I saw the results firsthand of what cannabis could do for sick people. Aashna Satija, the chief pharmacist at Vireo, worked with me when I first started. She spent a lot of time teaching me about products and stacking to give patients adequate coverage.
She also taught me how to approach products for specific medical conditions. There is no textbook and in 2016, when I began, research in this country was quite limited. Aashna taught me how to think through patient issues and factor in how different each individual responds.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?
As a new industry with complex legal issues, the cannabis industry is not for the faint of heart.
Traditionally a male OG business, women were not involved in the business of cannabis and consumption was a male-dominated activity. With a change in societal norms and acceptance of cannabis in the health and wellness industry, more opportunities have opened up for women.
The underlying social and business structure has kept women out. The barriers are different due to the reliance on connections in this new industry of regulated and safe products.
Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?
I believe that cannabis is a business that involves ties, connections, and social activity. Right time and right place provide future opportunities.
What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?
Hiring practices need to be examined. Adequate training and education is essential to break these barriers.
Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.
Tribetokes
Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry?
My attorney Matt Schweber has been a true ally. Smart, professional, and strategic in approach. I feel that he has the knowledge and skill to help me make the best decisions.
Bill Downey of Massachusetts, a 30-year advocacy legend, has given me an amazing education and approach.
Project CBD and Leafly are great websites for cross referencing information.
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?
Do what you love doing. You may not get it right your first time out, but stay open and keep learning. Say yes.
Is there anything we left out that you’d like to add?
I am a breast cancer survivor. If cannabis had been available to me in 2012 and 2013, my life would have been much smoother. I am fortunate to live and work in New York State where this is available.
If you’d like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact.
drparodneck@gmail.com. 914-525-6536