Women in Cannabis is out to Educate

e legalization of cannabis in Rhode Island last December provided numerous opportunities, as well as issues for everyone involved. It signaled moving forward with the situation of those wishing to grow, consume, and sell cannabis on small levels. However, its passage also meant state and local authorities had to tread lightly to ensure all parties were compliant and knew what boundaries must be followed. e details are in place, yet, changes are inevitable, as new questions arise.

As opportunities get clearer, several women are each becoming valuable resources to help guide people through the process.

With the cannabis industry being opened in the Ocean State, four businesswomen recently aligned as a collective resource for anyone either interested in the cannabis industry or who have questions about the process.

By Mark Berger

Atty. Megan Sheehan of Green Path Legal, Eve Santana of High Beautiful, Emily Cotter of Lovewell Farms, LLC., and Andrea Biszko of Aura of Rhode Island are striving to inform and teach people about the issues and how they can assist in the safe sale, distribution, and consumption of cannabis.

e women each met one another during various times at cannabis-related events.

Sheehan, who practices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and has o ces in Barrington, RI and Lexington, MA, said being able to discuss the matter with clients is the rst step in what can be a long process.

Bis “People are beginning to get excited about the possibilities regarding the uses of cannabis,” she said. “ ere is so much potential surrounding cannabis in Rhode Island. It isn’t the evil, destructive drug some purport it to be. e expansion of the cannabis industry in Rhode Island is a huge step forward and opportunity for Rhode Island. It’s also exciting to see some of the social equity components that were included in the legislation.” e attorney pointed out three areas her rm specializes in: licensing, corporate/ business and litigation. She said there are potential landmines with each of these areas. Her rm works to mitigate them so her clients can proceed further.

“ ere are so many potential stumbling blocks for cannabis businesses that can be time consuming and expensive—if not properly handled,” Atty. Sheehan said. “For example, relying on handshake agreements can mean major problems down the road. Finding a location for your business is incredibly important, and there are many potential hiccups in that process. Lastly, if you want a retail license that is based on a lottery system, then it can be very challenging. It’s important to get to the lottery stage, but you also have to be ready if your number is picked. ese are a few of the many reasons to consult me.”

Sheehan noted there were very few women in the cannabis eld when she began several years ago. Sheehan’s boutique law rm, Green Path Legal, is currently all women owned and run. More and more women are breaking into these elds. Not just in the legal arena, they are becoming store owners and businesswomen looking to create their industry niche.

Such is the case with Eve Santana, who owns ‘High Beautiful,’ a lifestyle brand o ering marketing services. High Beautiful focuses on delivering positive experiences and perspectives about cannabis. Santana has been involved with the industry for nearly a decade, working with leading east coast founded companies and organizations including Ardent, Billow, the Farmacist, Equitable Opportunities Now (EON), and NECANN— longest running and largest canna-convention on the east coast of the US.

It was at EON, a 501c3 organization, where she found her calling. EON focuses on programming and advocacy of legislative policies that empower people impacted by the failed drug war, not corporations in the fast-evolving cannabis industries.

“Historically, Black and Latinx folks mostly know about this plant through tribulations, rejection, and discrimination. For work, I am guided by the mission of empowering Women, Black, and Latinx communities in the industry through access to the plant for consumption, information about ownership opportunities, and mentorship with some amazing people in the cannabis industry who give a damn about helping other people come up too,” Santana said.

Santana began High Beautiful in 2016, in hopes of aiding people su ering from depression, sleep apnea, anxiety. and other health issues. She said that cannabis in some form can provide relief from these and other ailments. She stresses that it is not a cure, but it does possess some positive bene ts.

Cotter is the director of operations of Lovewell Farms in Hope Valley. ey produce high-quality, handcrafted hemp ower and large varieties of CBD products, using responsible and sustainable practices throughout the process. Although Cotter is passionate about the cannabis industry, she feels there is much more work to be done at the state and local levels.

“My passions for social justice, environmental sustainability, and love of plants all come together in the cannabis space. I am driven to help create an industry that re ects the goals of the movement behind it,” she said. “I believe in the power of community, and that the lines between food, drugs, and medicine are not as distinct as one might think. In our industry,

I believe that business and advocacy work can and should coexist in a way that a ects positive change for all, especially those on whose backs this newly legal industry has been built.” e women are looking forward to helping others in this arena. ey encourage anyone interested in learning more about the cannabis industry to contact them.

Lovewell Farms will celebrate its fth year in 2023. Although these past few years have not been easy, they are grateful to be part of a robust Rhode Island cannabis industry going into 2023. In an industry as challenging as it can be, Cotter believes it is essential to work together to create the industry they want to participate in. ey are excited to be partnering with more local cultivators, dispensaries, and other small businesses to make high quality CBD more accessible to all Rhode Islanders.

Biszko, the human resources director, whose business is based in Central Falls, said that there was little doubt that she wanted to begin a business in this industry. It became her mission to ensure a safe environment for such use.

“One thing I have found is that there is a real camaraderie between cannabis businesses, and we really come together to achieve shared goals unlike any other industry because of the unique circumstances and challenges that we face in this industry,” she said.

Aura o ers a variety of quality products at competitive prices for both medical patients and adult recreational customers alike. ey also o er private consultations for both medical patients and adult use customers that require one-on-one time to learn more about a particular product or products to ensure their needs are met.

Last December, Biszko said that there was built up anticipation statewide for the beginning of recreational sales of cannabis. She believes the newer dispensaries that recently entered the marketplace expected a higher volume of recreational users compared to the actual numbers. Restrictive advertising makes it di cult to let consumers know such places exist and prevents the opportunity to educate the public on the bene ts of cannabis. However, she has high hopes for the future and will continue to grow their brand.

Megan E. Sheehan, Esq., 401-396-9113 | Megan@greenpathlegal.com

Eve Santana, 401-594-1224 | Evemarie@highbeautiful.com

Emily Cotter, 401-218-5008 |Emily@lovewellfarms.com

Andrea Biszko, 508- 493-3437 |Andrea@auraofri.com