I never planned on a career in cannabis. For nearly a decade, I was a special education teacher. My passion has always been teaching and helping people. Then I became a mother and everything shifted. My time, my energy, my health. Somewhere in all of that change, I realized I had only ever done one thing since graduating college. And I needed to check in with myself.
With the birth of my first child, I decided to cut out alcohol and mindfully reintroduce cannabis back into my life. What I found wasn’t just relief, it was clarity, calm, and a deeper sense of well-being amid the hustle and bustle of mom life. Growing up in a cannabis-positive home, there was no stigma attached to its use. As I continued to thrive, I noticed that many women were curious about cannabis, but cautious. It occurred to me that there was a huge educational gap in cannabis and women were an untapped group that deserved more support.
Today, as the Director of Engagement and Education at Silver Therapeutics, my role is both strategic and deeply personal. On a weekly basis I touch many facets of the business. On the engagement side, I can be seen doing anything from contributing to and approving blog content and email newsletters to overseeing community events and social media marketing. On the education side, I help shape the training program for new hires and develop our in-store educational products. All of this is done with one goal in mind: to make cannabis education accessible, whether someone is stepping into a dispensary for the first time as a customer or starting their journey as a new team member. It is my belief that education is the foundation of intentional and mindful cannabis use.
Still a Teacher at Heart
My background in education informs everything I do. One thing I brought with me from the classroom is this simple truth: never assume someone knows what you’re talking about.
Cannabis can feel overwhelming. Terms like cannabinoids, terpenes, and decarboxylation can be confusing. The best educators meet people where they are instead of immediately trying to pull them up to their level. When we approach customers using high level language, it can make them feel that they don’t belong in the conversation and that’s how people get shut out.
It’s not about watering anything down, it’s about having the compassion and patience to build from the ground up. Because most people aren’t clueless, they’re curious. They just need someone to walk with them, not talk over them.
When Intention Meets Education
I truly believe that wellness starts with intention. Consumers can’t be intentional with cannabis if they don’t understand how to use it. Whether it’s figuring out the dosage, finding the method that works best, or just knowing what to expect, education gives others the confidence to make choices that actually support their goals. A budtender is the perfect teacher to help someone discover that a dry herb vape might be easier on the lungs, or that a low-dose edible before a workout can help with focus. That kind of insight can shift someone’s whole relationship with cannabis. It’s not just about using it. It’s about using it well.
Shifting the Narrative for Women
Women are one of the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers, but we’re still underserved. There’s this lingering idea that cannabis is somehow more acceptable for men. The unfortunate truth is that women, especially moms, still face a lot of judgment.
And when dispensaries or products feel disconnected from real women’s lives, it only reinforces that feeling of not belonging.
As I think back on my journey with cannabis, I remember how nervous I was the first time I went to a dispensary. I actually sent my husband in for me, more than once, before he finally encouraged me to go in myself. The experience of my own personal fear of judgement has stuck with me. It’s why I’m so committed to making our stores feel welcoming, not intimidating. Clear signage, open conversations, and educated, judgment-free budtenders.
I’ve seen firsthand how things start to change when women feel seen and supported. When I began to lean more into cannabis education, it was a ripple effect. Friends and family became more open about their own cannabis use and suddenly, it didn’t feel so mysterious or taboo.
Women Leading with Presence, Not Escape
I truly believe women are uniquely positioned to lead the wellness conversation around cannabis. We already know how to battle stigma, advocate for our own health, and hold space for others. A lot of us are caregivers and we carry so much. I see cannabis as a way of receiving care, too.
When used intentionally, it doesn’t numb you out of your life, it helps you be more present in it. And presence is what more and more women are seeking. Not escape. Not intoxication. Just balance.
Rooted in Education, Driven by Care
At Silver Therapeutics, everything we do is grounded in education. From the moment someone walks in, they have access to an Adult Use Guide that breaks down products, effects, and legal limits. Our budtenders are trained to ask meaningful questions, not just “What do you want to buy?” but “How do you want to feel?”
Our wellness-based approach extends across the board, from our blog and emails to our in-person community events. And people are responding. Some of our most engaged emails aren’t sales-driven, they’re educational.
On the ground, our field marketing program is a huge source of pride. Our team members are out in the community with smiles on their faces at local events, festivals, and wellness markets, educating people who may not even use cannabis (yet). Just by showing up with facts and compassion, they’re helping to normalize the conversation. The more we normalize the conversation the more others have access to cannabis as a source of wellness.
Also Read: Last Week in Weed: September 23- 30, 2025
To the Curious (But Hesitant) Women Out There
If you’re curious but unsure, know this: there’s no one way your relationship with cannabis has to look. You don’t have to smoke if you don’t want to. Your journey is your own and you don’t have to fit into a box. You just have to be open to discovering what might work for you.
Education gives you the power to make that discovery on your own terms. And consumers deserve to feel empowered. In the end, it’s not about being an expert. It’s about being intentional. And intention begins with education, tends to be a little more compassionate, when women are leading the way.
