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Melissa Moore is coordinator of the Horticulture Department and a cannabis instructor at Niagara County Community College. In the newest entry of “NY’s women in cannabis,” Moore talks about ‘standing tall’ in a male-dominated field; what advice she’d give her younger self; and ways we can reimagine leadership stereotypes.
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 launched my career in the cannabis industry because I was inspired by people healing themselves with cannabis. Almost 20 years ago, I watched a very good friend help her mother beat cancer with the use of cannabis, and since then I have watched multiple people get their life back using cannabis as a medicine.
Living in the Emerald Triangle in Northern California is how I entered the cannabis industry. I spent years studying the research from experts and attending conferences throughout the US.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?
I feel that the most significant barrier to women’s leadership is getting males to respect your knowledge. Often, it is a male that will do his best to try to discount my expertise and the information that I am sharing. The cultivation industry is dominated by males. This can lead to some males thinking that I have no experience in the industry, when in reality, I have been growing cannabis in home and commercial settings since 2004. Along with another woman, I grew around nine acres of organic crops and brought them to market for almost a decade, and I have a bachelors in biology from Keuka College and a masters in engineering from the University at Buffalo.
Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?
I think it is because the cannabis industry can be very competitive and the pride in growing your own product can create a defensive position. Women are taught to be submissive and have trouble pushing against the defensive and ego-filled role that some men take on.
What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?
By honoring female scholars and partnerships that have men and women sharing the leading role. We still think of women as being supporting roles, but the more we are told that women make great leaders, the more we will be comfortable with the idea, and not default to imagining a male in a leadership role.
Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.
Green Philosophy 716, Sativa Remedy, Bonnie Goldstein MD, and Mara Gordon.
Who/what are your favorite tools and resources in the industry?
Ed Rosenthal, Martin Lee, The research and publications from Ethan Russo, Bonnie Goldstein, Dustin Sulak, Raphael Mechoulam, Karl Hillig, and John McPartland.
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?
Advice to 25-year-old me: Stop letting males keep you in supportive roles, stand tall and take the leading role, don’t wait for them to ask you to do it, just do it.
Advice to the next generation: The only barriers are the ones you keep in front of you. If you want it, take the steps and do the work to make it happen, because no matter how obscure the idea is, you can make it happen. Take action.
If you’d like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact.
Email: mmoore@niagaracc.suny.edu; LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/707melissa-moore