Women Blazin’ Up the Industry

Lorena Beltrán is one of the most influential voices in Latin America’s emerging cannabis scene. As CEO and co-founder of CannabiSalud México, she created the country’s premier medical cannabis business and investment summit, bringing together regulators, physicians, cultivators, and international investors. A fierce advocate for professionalization and policy reform, Beltrán advises companies on strategy, regulation, and expansion while also founding Endonatura Labs to advance research and product manufacturing. From her early role as Director of Operations for Concentrate USA in LATAM to her ongoing work shaping Mexico’s cannabis framework, Beltrán has become a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern industry standards, pushing for a regulated, inclusive market south of the border.

Penny Lane (@og.pennylane) is a bold, unapologetic voice and entrepreneur who turned personal healing through cannabis into a full-fledged mission. After finding relief with the plant, she launched Mary Jane by Penny Lane, a cannabis-focused branding and advocacy agency dedicated to authenticity and education. Known for her raw storytelling and media presence, Lane champions real talk around women’s wellness, stigma reduction, and community building. Her work blends culture, content, and commerce, making her a respected figure who reminds the industry that cannabis is medicine, ritual, and lifestyle all at once.

Susie Plascencia is a powerhouse Latina entrepreneur, storyteller, and activist reshaping the narrative for women of color in cannabis. Co-founder of MOTA Glass — a celebrated Mexican-American-owned water pipe brand — and CEO of NightShift Digital, a cannabis branding agency, she also founded Latinas in Cannabis, a national organization providing networking, empowerment, and visibility for Latina professionals. Through sold-out summits and grant programs like Seeds of Change, Plascencia fights for equity, representation, and economic opportunity, proving that Latinas are not just consumers but builders and leaders in the industry.

Veronica “Vee” Castillo, known as The Traveling Cannabis Writer, has spent more than six years crisscrossing every corner of the United States to document the real stories of the legal cannabis movement. A published author of the Cannabis Legacy Chronicles series, she shines a light on hidden gems, equity issues, small farmers, and underrepresented communities while weaving in themes of veganism, travel, and cultural preservation. As a grassroots journalist and equity partner in multiple projects, Castillo has become one of the most trusted independent voices in cannabis media, turning road miles into powerful, human-centered storytelling that connects the plant to people.

The Dank Duchess is an internationally acclaimed hashish consultant, master cultivator, and educator with over two decades of hands-on experience. Trained under legendary hashmaker Frenchy Cannoli, she specializes in solventless craft and has become a defining force in modern hash culture. Through public speaking, workshops, writing, and consulting, the Duchess demystifies cannabis as plant medicine and champions high-quality, traditional methods. Her “All Weed Everything” philosophy and commitment to elevating the conversation around concentrates have made her a global ambassador for flavor, purity, and respect for the plant.

Mary Jane “MJ” Oatman (Nez Perce/Delaware) is a trailblazing Indigenous leader fighting for tribal sovereignty and economic justice in cannabis. As Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Coalition (ICANNC), she advocates for tribal nations’ rights to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis on their lands. She also publishes THC Magazine (Tribal Hemp & Cannabis), a platform dedicated to Indigenous history, traditional use, and modern opportunity. Through education, policy work, and community organizing, Oatman is reclaiming the plant’s sacred role while building sustainable economic futures for Native communities across the country.

Jourdan Jade is a dynamic Bay Area artist and cannabis entrepreneur from Vallejo, California. She owns Jourdan Jade Flowers, previously founded the CBD brand Jade Healing Co., and has her own signature strain, Jade Kush. With early experience in cultivation and as a sales rep for Maven Genetics, Day Dreamers, and Midzotics. A multi-award-winning talent, she has earned California Cannabis Awards for Musician, Female Entrepreneur, Best Beauty Brand, and Public Speaker. Her music blends confident R&B and hip-hop, with collaborations alongside Keak Da Sneak, LaRussell, B-Legit, and San Quinn.

Ashleigh Klein is a respected voice in cannabis media, best known as a co-host of The Daily Dose Podcast on the U.S. Weed Channel. With a warm, knowledgeable style and a background in patient advocacy (often recognized as the “CannaNurse”), Klein delivers engaging conversations on industry trends, social equity, policy reform, wellness, and cultural shifts in cannabis. She has also contributed to The Releaf Foundation with content and broader educational storytelling, making complex topics accessible to both new consumers and seasoned enthusiasts. Through her podcast work and online presence, Ashleigh continues to destigmatize cannabis, amplify underrepresented voices, and promote responsible, informed use of the plant.

These eight women represent the heart, hustle, and healing power driving cannabis forward. From boardrooms to hash labs, courtrooms to tribal councils, they’re not just participating — they’re leading with vision, courage, and unshakeable love for the plant.