Amy Margolis Fights for Women’s Representation in Cannabis Industry

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he normalization of cannabis has undoubtedly transformed the space for the better, however the entrance of executives and entrepreneurs from traditional sectors is bringing progress to the detriment of the women that have been vital to its growth. Recognizing the trend, Amy Margolis, a 17-year practicing attorney and founder of the Oregon Cannabis Association, has opened both The Initiative and The Commune, the first cannabis business accelerator program and co-working and events space to ensure that women aren’t edged out of the green rush.

“I had an epiphany moment in November at the Vegas conference [Marijuana Business Conference and Expo] where I had back to back experiences being the only woman in a room with men,” Margolis said. “That was not my only time having that experience, but for some reason the two experiences occurring so closely with each other culminated with me telling the second group of business owners that I’d love to see some female decision-makers in this room. And their push back really caused me to consider what I could do to shift the conversation around female founders and female executives.”

In 2015, the number of women executives in the cannabis industry was reported at 36 percent. By 2017 that number had dropped to roughly 27 percent, resembling traditional models. As women have historically experienced bias in funding, a lack of traditional business training and a corporate space predisposed towards men, it is crucial that women begin accumulating wealth to bring balance to the gender discrepancy and uphold the progressive nature of the cannabis space.

The Commune, a 4,000 square foot event, office and boardroom space, is located in Portland’s Old Town and houses The Initiative, hosts business classes, boot-camps, incubator opportunities and speakers. While The Commune is a co-ed space, The Initiative is designed specifically for women and aims to provide the tools, mentoring, training and access to funding that are essential to business success. Although the program is based in Oregon it is available to women nationwide.

“We [women] often have to run faster and work harder than men to succeed. You can do that. You have people and organizations, like the Initiative, that can support you in doing that,” Margolis said. “If we can impact 20 or 30 or 50 businesses that is a really intensive and seismic impact on a very new space.”

The Commune will host an industry open-house on Aug. 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. for attendees looking to learn more about the available programming, space rental, and incubation opportunities, as well as an insider’s look at The Initiative’s application process. The Initiative will begin with a three-month program for eight women-led businesses and enrollment will open online to all women cannabis business leaders on Sept. 1, 2018. Acceptance letters are expected to be issued in October with training beginning January 2019.