After the passage of Proposition 207 in November, which legalized the recreational use and sales of marijuana in Arizona for adults 21 and older, the demand and interest in cannabis have expanded exponentially. Leading the Arizona cannabis industry are many women, who are using innovative ideas and approaches to succeed in the industry. Here are five of the most influential women who are leading Arizona’s cannabis industry.
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Laura Bianchi
Partner // Bianchi & Brandt
Cannabis, like many industries, tends to be male-dominated. Bianchi, however, is one of the nation’s foremost experts in cannabis law, business, compliance and operations. Having begun her work in the discipline with the 2010 passage of Arizona’s medical marijuana law, she was among the first business/corporate transaction attorneys in the country to specialize in the nascent legal cannabis market and has represented clients in more than $100 million in transactions in the industry.
Lilach Mazor Power
Founder and managing director // Giving Tree Dispensary
Power, a former sergeant in the Israeli military, owns Giving Tree, which has locations in Mesa and Phoenix. Giving Tree is also Arizona’s sole dispensary that features majority female ownership. But Power takes girl power a step further as her team includes several women who grow cannabis for the 8-year-old cannabis company and Giving Tree also supports local, women-owned companies.
Greta Brandt
President // The Flower Shop
Brandt is pioneering the cannabis industry with her brands and breaking glass ceilings for women who want to be in the industry as well. She serves as president of The Flower Shop AZ and True North of Utah, which collectively operates five medical marijuana dispensaries, four cultivation sites and processing facilities in Arizona and Utah. Brandt interfaces with all Arizona and Utah regulators, serving as an advocate for the industry.
Marvina Thomas
CEO // 420 Skincare and 420 Medibles
The former registered nurse has spent the past several years self-educating herself on the many health benefits of cannabis. Thomas began her canna-business journey learning to make soap by blending CBD oil with beautifying Egyptian ingredients. Later, Thomas created THC treats to help others heal naturally without opioids. The social entrepreneur channels a percentage of her profits to help fight addiction and homelessness and is the founder and CEO of Start Living Recovery Home.
Sara Gullickson
CEO and founder // The Cannabis Business Advisors
Gullickson is an entrepreneur, investor and corporate dealmaker with a decade of experience building and scaling businesses. At 27, she founded her first cannabis consulting group — Dispensary Permits in Phoenix — and eight years later sold it to a publicly traded company. She has consulted internationally and across over a dozen state cannabis markets receiving numerous awards. Gullickson thrives in an unconventional business landscape and is passionate about inspiring women to pursue leadership.
