Women and Cannabis Toronto | Minerva Cannabis

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Celebrating Women working with Cannabis who are pushing the boundaries towards the future of the industry.

Women & Cannabis features individuals progressing in their fields while shaping the new, legal cannabis industry through their own experiences.

Advancing gender equity in the name of all Women.

While we celebrate those who succeed, it’s always important to support those in need. Minerva Cannabis will be accepting donations to a charitable organization that is Women led.

This fundraiser which is now in its fifth year, has been put together to honour the late Renata Cavallo who passed on March 5 2021. A woman who braved leaving her home to start a new life in a country she had never been too nor spoke the language. She was met with many life challenging obstacles but with courage, found how to be better, deal with any circumstance and overcome the changes in life;
a reminder to live life fully and to live it now.

In 2026, we are raising funds for Women’s Habitat who provides vital support to women and their dependents who are survivors of violence and poverty. Founded in 1978, they offer a suite of services including group and individual counselling, parenting support and housing assistance.

A young industry in need of knowledge and wisdom.

Women across the country have entered the cannabis industry and are learning how to navigate through new challenges every day.

The decisions that are being made today by Licensed Producers, Retailers and Consumers alike will create the foundation for how the future of legal cannabis will be shaped.

The Canadian Cannabis Industry is one that requires like minded individuals to work together and collaborate in order to create quality products and experiences. With the ever changing road ahead, the obstacles we overcome today as an industry will be used to better understand what needs to be available and how it can be properly perceived as it progresses into the future of our Canadian identity.

For our fifth annual event, Minerva is putting the spotlight on 11 women working in, with and around cannabis.

Minerva asks..."What role has cannabis played in your journey toward greater balance, empowerment or self care in recent years? What one change or innovation would make that support more accessible and effective?"

This years featured women respond to this underlying question to provide insight as to why every voice in an emerging industry plays a role in shaping the future.

2026 W&C Features

Joanne Marchant

Cannabis allows me to create intentional pauses in a noisy world. It supports my self-care by helping me slow down, reconnect with my body, and tap into a creative flow that has been vital as I’ve stepped into comedy and personal healing. For me, cannabis is a tool for presence, not just productivity.

We need education that centers real-world representation, especially for women and older adults. Creating stigma-free, inclusive learning environments within retail spaces would empower new consumers to use cannabis with confidence, safety, and clear intention.

Stefanie Macchiusi

Cannabis has become one of the tools I use to create a better balance in my life, especially during seasons where my brain feels overloaded from work, creative deadlines and being constantly “on.”

Using it intentionally, either to help me wind down at night or to make space for lightness and fun, has helped me reconnect with my body, reduce stress, and actually rest; Cannabis has given me control over my own self-care routine instead of feeling like i'm running on empty.

Having a “wellness-forward,” judgment-free environment, especially for women and creative professionals, would help. Sometimes people feel awkward talking about cannabis as self-care but building more supportive, inclusive spaces or even consultations would make a huge difference.

(Like this space!)

Hillary Macchiusi

Cannabis has become a tool for balance and intention in my life. It helps me slow down, reset, and be more present - whether that’s improving sleep, easing stress, or simply creating space to reflect. Over time, it’s shifted from something occasional to something purposeful. It supports my well-being in a way that feels natural and aligned, helping me show up more focused and grounded in life.

Clear, practical education and broader access would make the biggest difference. Many people are still unsure where to start or how to use cannabis in a way that truly supports their wellness needs. If we simplify the information, reduce stigma, and improve affordability, more people can make informed choices and experience the benefits in a safe, supportive way.

Ebyan Noor

Cannabis has become part of my rhythm in a very intentional way. I am not a heavy user, but rather, a mindful one. I am a professional, a leader, a mother and I focus on my work, community, and family. For a long time, moving at gull speed felt normal while rest felt as if it needed to be earned. Cannabis helped me disrupt that cycle. It gave me the space to slow down, transition from work to home and to soften the edge of a long day. It has helped support creativity and settle enough to get real sleep. Sometimes, it is simply about quieting the mental noise to reconnect with myself.  

As a woman, we are raised to be strong, dependable and resilient. We carry a lot without complaint and choosing softness does not always come natural or feel familiar. Cannabis, when used intentionally, has supported in allowing both while providing balance.

If there is one change that would make cannabis even more accessible and effective in supporting balance and empowerment, it would be shifting how we talk about it, especially at the regulatory and distribution level. Much of the language is heavily harm focused with a cautious, restrictive tone that is rooted in “risk mitigation”. Safety and responsible use absolutely matters but it dominates the conversation we create imbalance. We rarely see clear, research grounded discussions about stress relief, sleep support, emotional regulation, creativity, or quality of life. We do not see enough nuanced conversations about dosage, intentional use, or adult wellness routines.

Dia Friedman

In a fast-paced sales environment, cannabis serves as a “reset button” that helps me transition from the high energy demands of the GTA market, to a state of personal recovery. It allows for a clearer boundary between professional output and personal downtime, helping to quiet the mental chatter of a long workday. It also has become a ritual of slowing down, encouraging me to be present rather than just productive.

When it comes to innovation, THC percentages currently dominate the conversation, but they don’t tell the full story of how a product will actually make a person feel. If every product featured a standardized, easy to read, “effect profile” based on terpene data (similar to a nutritional label), consumers could more accurately dose for their specific needs.

Cristina Dirlea

Stigma often frames cannabis use as escapism. I see it differently. For me, it’s one of several tools in a broader toolbox aimed at modulation and balance. Used intentionally, it has helped me slow cognitive overdrive, soften hyper-vigilance, and gently redirect rumination into self-reflection. I don’t drink, so in a culture that defaults to alcohol as the primary regulator, cannabis has been a conscious, deliberate alternative - one integrated into a wider practice of self-awareness and care.

What would make that support more accessible and effective is meaningful investment in independent, science-based education - education that goes beyond marketing, language or weekend certifications. The industry would benefit from stronger professional standards and a deeper understanding of the plant’s full impact. In reality, it’s part of a far more complex regulatory network, sometimes referred to as the endocannabinoidome which involves enzymes, signalling pathways, and cross-talk with other systems that help maintain homeostasis. When we reduce cannabis to “cannabinoids plus terpenes,” or equate “full spectrum” with a formula of isolates and added aroma compounds, we risk oversimplifying something inherently nuanced.

A deeper appreciation of physiological regulation and the plant’s role within it, would lead to more thoughtful product development and more informed use.

Janani Nadesananthan

For the last few years, I have used cannabis regularly and intentionally to manage stress. In an industry that moves fast and demands constant performance, I have learned that balance is something you build into your life and Cannabis helps me create space to pause, reflect, and reset so I can stay grounded and show up with clarity instead of burnout. As a woman in leadership, empowerment has meant redefining what productivity really looks like. Rest and boundaries are not the opposite of performance, they make it sustainable. My background shaped my curiosity about how we care for our nervous systems. Cannabis has become one of the tools that helps me stay steady in a demanding environment so I can be as present as possible at work and in my personal life.

What needs to change is access to honest education. Current regulations are so limiting that we are unable to clearly discuss product effects or provide the education consumers are looking for. I believe cannabis is medicine, and adults deserve clear, science-based guidance to make informed choices. It is encouraging to see more brands listing terpene profiles so consumers can better understand how products may work for them. Independent retailers across Canada are ready to lead these conversations. With better education, transparency, and continued research, cannabis can become a truly accessible tool for balance, empowerment, and long-term wellness.

Amy Moore

Cannabis has been my line of work for five years now, and a big part of my life for many years prior. I’m incredibly thankful to build a career in this industry, and sometimes I have to remind myself just how lucky we are to exist within a legalized framework.

I’ve met some of the coolest, hardest-working, bong-blazing, joint-smoking, dab-ripping women in this industry, and I’m grateful to be among some of them here at Minerva Cannabis. #TeamBong

One future change I would appreciate is allowing Licensed Producers to market their brands and products outside the confines of age-gated events and legal cannabis retail walls. This would have a massive impact on building brand loyalty and to provide consumers something beyond THC and price to connect with - how refreshing! It would bring our industry more into people’s every day and allow brands like Jonny Chronic to share their origin stories.

Ask me some time, it’s a great one!

Tamara Lilien

As a cannabis sommelier, educator and consultant, this incredible plant is integrated into most facets of my life. Although I am a regular consumer, my cannabis use is always directly linked to thoughtful decision making; I don’t use cannabis indiscriminately. Whether I’m consuming for medical or recreational purposes, my cannabis use enables a better quality of life. A severely broken foot several years ago left me with chronic pain and certain extracts helped me manage and function on days when the pain would otherwise be unbearable. I’m an avid yoga practitioner and consuming beforehand allows for greater focus, a quieter mind, and a feeling of being more in-tune and connected to my body.

The change that I would most like to see, and the one that I feel is most needed across the industry, is the normalization of cannabis. To me, there are three pillars of normalization: Education, Accessibility and Community. Education, provincial or federal campaigns that provide clear and unbiased information to the masses. Accessibility, allowing cannabis to be sold at age-gated concerts, festivals and other cultural events and affording the same marketing flexibility as the alcohol industry. Community, allowing consumption, where cannabis users can congregate, consume and connect. Normalization is critical for a de-stigmatized and sustainable future.

Nadia Macchiusi

Cannabis has been a supportive part of my approach to balance and self-care in recent years, particularly in managing anxiety within high-stress environments that include a demanding career, family responsibilities, and the pace of everyday life. Cannabis is not something I depend on, but rather a tool I can choose to use when needed.

When used mindfully, it helps me slow down, relax my nervous system, and be more present, whether that’s at the end of a long day or during periods of heightened stress. For me, it feels like a more natural way to unwind and reset, and it fits into a broader, intentional approach to well-being that includes movement, rest, and healthy boundaries.

Teresa Macchiusi

The role cannabis has played in my life in recent years continues to evolve. With the emphasis of wellness today, it has become another tool to add to my tollbox for self-care and empowerment.

Cannabis is no longer just “smoking a joint”, it has evovled into products that help you sleep, reduce anxiety and reduce pain. Introducing these products into my self-care routine, has helped me slow down and listen to my body more closely. It has become a tool to better manage stress along with enhancing other methods of self-care such as massages, etc.

One change that would help to make this support more accessible and effective is more education. Education is still much needed and is the key in order to help with normalization and reduced stigma around the use of these products or cannabis in general.

Interested in collaborating?

2025 W&C Features

Amy Brown

I tell people all the time - cannabis saved my life - it made me, me again.

 In 2005 I was in a car accident that took the life of my friend and left me with injuries and lifelong chronic pain. I was prescribed painkillers which I became addicted to. I hated my life, but needed them to continue throughout my days. I became dependent on the pills that were meant to HELP - and after some research, I was led to cannabis. I quit taking the pills solely relied on cannabis for pain relief. After sometime, I was back to my happy-go-lucky self and I didn’t feel like a zombie, I was clear headed, had energy and felt alive.

Cannabis has become part of my routine, my lifestyle - my culture! After experiencing the health benefits, all I wanted to do was help people see and feel what I experienced. Legalization has allowed for expanded offerings other than smokable and ingestibles and I look forward to seeing more topicals. I hope to one day see suppositories with much higher THC percentages for those looking for natural products.

HashCo

Anna Borsellino

As someone who works in a creative field, I turn to cannabis for support with my focus, creativity and work output.

I’ve actually tested it.

When consuming specific cannabis strains, I am able to produce more, make better decisions for my business and support others. Cannabis is a tool used for my mental health and clarity and for that I am grateful.

In the not so distant future I would love to see more low THC options that don't contain CBD for lighter highs that support creativity.

AMBR

Desirée Rose Di Savino

Cannabis and wellness are synonymous in my world! As a person with a complex medical history, the plant has given me the ability to rest without guilt, find improved focus, relax old imbalanced movement patterns, and even improve my mind-muscle connection for better activation at the gym! Cannabis is an important tool for exercise recovery, controls pain that disrupt my wellness routine AND stimulates appetite to ensure I meet my macros and get those calories in! It really does it all.

Truthfully, I think Canadian Producers have done an exceptional job serving a wide variety of niches with such unique and innovative products. What’s missing for me is consumer education around what to expect from each product. While everyone experiences cannabis in a very personal way, regulations have limited the guidance producers can offer to help consumers, but I have hope that in time and with more research, we can better tailor our product choices to choose our desired outcomes.

Aspire Infusions

Dia Friedman

A huge part of my personal wellness journey has been incorporating LoFi’s Reishi Relax CBD oil into my routine. I’ve always loved functional mushroom and CBD products, but I hadn’t tried Reishi until my brand launched our own. It’s truly been life changing. Reishi is an adaptogen, and I feel its benefits daily — it’s helped regulate my sleep cycle so I wake up energized, and most importantly, it’s brought me real relief from anxiety. I used to wake up with a sense of dread every morning, but since incorporating CBD and reishi, that feeling is gone.

What’s missing in the industry right now is more innovation around pairing cannabis with other functional mushrooms. I’d love to see products featuring cordyceps and lion’s mane as more people catch on to the powerful synergy between cannabinoids and mushrooms. There’s so much potential for plant medicine to evolve, and I’m excited to see where it goes!

Woody Nelson

Ebyan Noor

The foundation of my wellness routine rests on two key practices: daily gym workouts and micro-dosing cannabis. This is essential for keeping me centered, managing stress, and maintaining mental clarity. It helps me stay focused, navigate the demands of work and parenting while ensuring I can unwind and rest properly.

During a recent trip to the U.S., I came across a product called Entourage Effect capsules, which contained a unique blend of five cannabinoids: THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC. While I don’t recall the exact dosages, I do remember how transformative the experience was—it put me in one of the most harmonious and positive mental states I’ve ever felt. I found this product incredibly innovative, especially since I haven’t seen anything comparable in Canada. Formulations like this offer a wide range of benefits for wellness seekers, from mood enhancement and stress relief to improved sleep and relaxation, all while minimizing the intense psychoactive effects of THC alone.

Kronic Relief

Hannah Treadway

Cannabis has played a significant role in my personal wellness journey, particularly in managing stress. For me, it helps slow down my “fight or flight” response, allowing me to relax and practice mindfulness. While studying cannabis in school, I gained a deeper understanding of how cannabinoids work together within the endocannabinoid system. The rec market often emphasizes high-THC products but true holistic relief comes from the synergy of all cannabinoids working together.

My personal cannabis wellness routine includes blending THC flower with CBG- and CBD-dominant strains while I also incorporate CBG:CBD oil into my daily protein shakes, tea, and coffee to promote focus, calm energy, and an uplifted mood. During the winter months, when my joints ache, I include a THC:CBN blend in my nighttime regimen for added relief.

innovation i'm looking for is rosin capsules enriched with CBD, CBG, and a microdose of 0.25g THC, along with essential daily vitamins and minerals. A product like this would make consumption and dosing more convenient and discreet. It would also shift the narrative away from intoxication and toward holistic, everyday well-being.

FIGR

Hillary Macchiusi

I have made cannabis part of my daily routine since the opening of Minerva nearly four years ago.

From skincare products like face oils, moisturizers and bath bombs to more recently, Rosemary Hair & Scalp Serums, to a variety of drinks like the perfect cola or infused wine for those alcohol free nights, i've been able to experiment with products in many categories that have supported me in different ways.

There are always yummy chocolates, chips or other snacks to settle your sweet or savoury cravings and ease you into a relaxing evening and though there are many options are available, personally, I would love to see more focus on body and skincare as I believe cannabis has an opportunity to shine in this market.

Minerva Cannabis

Iris Morrison

As most of my professional career has spanned wellness and healthcare, I’m always looking for the next best thing that enhances and empowers us to take control of our health. Cannabis has evolved far beyond its psychoactive reputation—once used to disconnect (or connect!)—and I’ve recently become more interested in its non-psychoactive components.

Skincare, CBD/CBG-infused therapies, and combining cannabinoids with modalities like red light therapy and breathwork have made cannabis invaluable for managing inflammation, stress, and sleep quality (better HRV!). With so many of us prone to inflammatory disorders as a result of poor sleep or nervous system regulation, these applications hold real potential for long-term well-being.

RA Collective

Jaime Lipowitz

Cannabis supports my personal wellness goals by specifically aiding with my mental health. It calms my anxiety and helps me process my emotions so I can think clearly on a daily basis.

I'd love to see new innovation and form factors that are rooted in science that deliver on mental health and wellness to help humans live happier and less stressful lives while using Cannabis.

High Buds Club

Joanne Marchant

For me, cannabis is deeply connected to mental wellness, personal growth, and community. It helps me stay present, manage stress, and unlock creativity—whether in improv, stand-up, or simply exploring new ideas. More than that, it fosters connection. I’ve seen firsthand how cannabis brings people together, creating spaces where women can share, learn, and uplift one another.

What’s missing? More spaces where cannabis and creativity intersect—places where women can connect, collaborate, and grow without stigma. I’d love to see more initiatives that blend cannabis with artistic expression, mindfulness, and empowerment. There’s so much potential for this plant to be utilized as a tool for personal transformation and community-building, especially when women come together to support and inspire one another

Minerva Cannabis

Nadia Macchiusi

I have primarily utilized cannabis to enhance my sleep quality and support cognitive function.The benefits the plant has provided me has been significant in contributing to my perseverance while also helping me perform at my best on a daily basis.

Looking ahead, I believe there is a significant opportunity for the development of menopause-specific formulations that address unique challenges, along with more targeted options for stress management and improved focus, to better align with the diverse wellness needs of individuals.

The Sweetest Thing Confection

Nicolette Sawula

Coming from the medical side of the industry prior to legalization, I was fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who provided me the necessary knowledge to assist others to use cannabis and improve their quality of life. I have never been one to use pharmaceuticals to assist with my pain, stress or anxiety, instead i've always chosen to use natural remedies first to address my needs. I utilize cannabis daily to assist with my mood stability, however, during the work day I avoid taking any THC products as they can be counteractive to my productiveness. Typically I will choose to use edibles with minors like CBG/CBC that assist with focus and energy stabilization.

One of my major goals this year is to get back into physical shape, and to live a healthier lifestyle. After my workouts I use THC/CBD/CBG topicals to aid with sore muscles, aches and pains.

Over my thirteen years in the industry, I have be grateful to see the advancements in product development expand tremendously. I am amazed at the discovery of CBC and it would be highly beneficial if more products contained it. In my opinion, educational tools for staff and customers would be beneficial to help teach consumers more about the benefits of minor cannabinoids.

Minerva Cannabis

Samantha Gledhill

A consistent goal of mine has always been to balance work and personal life effectively. Consuming cannabis before meditating helps me enter a mediation state more easily, while consuming during a product design session unlocks different perspectives or ideas, and overall enhances my focus and commitment to the project. Mindful consumption helps me further my personal and professional growth to ultimately achieve my goal of balancing those two aspects of life.

Looking ahead, I’d love to see cannabis products cater to specific activities or wellness rituals. I think a more diverse classification of products, more specific than indica/sativa, is needed in order for consumers to fully utilize the benefits of cannabis when it comes to achieving the desired state for a particular activity. While existing products do help facilitate various states of mind, I envision cannabis producers developing new strains intentionally for mediation, or to intentionally tap into personal creativity.

Frankie Smoke

Sarah Sunday

I have experienced migraines and chronic headaches since childhood which has significantly impacted my quality of life. Having explored various treatments, cannabis has been the most effective in reducing both the frequency and intensity of them and thankfully, I do not rely on pharmaceuticals, as I have found cannabis to be a effective alternative.

Cannabis also plays a role in my overall daily well-being. Beyond pain management, it helps maintain a balanced state of mind by supporting relaxation and stress and when integrating it with other wellness practices, such as hydration, proper nutrition, and exercise, I am able to take a holistic approach to my own health. One of the most effective strains for my headache relief and prevention has been Purple Kush. Its balanced effects and moderate THC levels have provided reliable relief without overwhelming psychoactivity. Unfortunately, the original Purple Kush is no not available, likely because it falls into a more traditional THC range rather than the high-potency strains dominating today. This shift is one of the challenges I face, as many newer cultivars are bred for extreme potency rather than therapeutic balance. As research and product innovation continue to evolve, I hope to refine my routine to achieve even greater relief and overall well-being.

The Karma Cup

Stefanie Macchiusi

This past year has been all about taking time for myself while making sure I’m prioritizing my rest to ensure that I do not burn out. Cannabis has been a vital part in making that happen with taking CBN at night. It has allowed me to wind down and get the rest I desperately need after a busy day.

I think there are a lot of ways in which cannabis can be beneficial for those who prioritize wellness, and one thing missing is the way the legal industry can market these products to promote wellness. A lot of people are unaware of the information and knowledge that comes with certain products and innovations and the industry as a whole would benefit from new marketing regulations to better inform customers and to combat stigma.

Stef Maqz Creates

Teresa Macchiusi

We are now coming up to year 7 of legalization of cannabis in Canada and since then, the idea of what this plant is and can do, along withits uses has completely evolved.

To think that I have come to use cannabis as a part of my wellness goals has totally shifted my perception from what once was. I have attempted to sample many of the different products available on the market and have found that I am more drawn to the wellness aspects and not necessarily psychoactive products. I've been enjoying topicals and many of the bath and skin products as part of my routine along with low dose and balance options to help with anxiety and sleep. I would like to see more pantry and savoury options with new ingredients, oils and spices. The industry seems to be growing quickly and there is still a lot of innovation to be discovered.

Minerva Cannabis

2024 Featured Women & Brands

Hillary Walsh

Minerva Cannabis, Studione, TJ Design

Since Minerva opened their doors, I’ve been exploring their selection of skincare products. The selection will change from time to time, which gives me an opportunity to try new things. I’ve tried various moisturizers (one has become a staple in my regimen), topical oils, clay masks, serums, eye creams, you name it. All of which have made subtle improvements to various skin issues. Regretfully, I have yet to try the bath bombs which everyone absolutely raves about. I never imagined how convenient it would be to get my skincare shopping done at my favourite cannabis store.

Celebrating Women working with Cannabis who are pushing the boundaries towards the future of the industry.

Advancing gender equity in the name of all Women.

A young industry in need of knowledge and wisdom.

Minerva asks..."What role has cannabis played in your journey toward greater balance, empowerment or self care in recent years? What one change or innovation would make that support more accessible and effective?"

2026 W&C Features

Interested in collaborating?

2025 W&C Features

2024 Featured Women & Brands

2023 Featured Women & Brands

Stefanie Macchiusi

Hillary Walsh

Emilie Lowe

Teresa Macchiusi

Samantha Gledhill

Janani Nadesananthan

Jocelyn Tse

Jaclyn Pomer

Emily Tallmeister

Iris Morrison

Anna Borsellino

Kiki Iversen

Maria Flo

Blake Carter

Yvonne Chang

Nadia Macchiusi

2022 Featured Women and Brands