Latina Power in the Cannabis Industry: How Latinas Are Shaping Cannabis Culture, Business, and Community

In the ever-evolving cannabis industry, few voices have been as vital and visionary as Julie Chiariello, Editor-in-Chief of Skunk Magazine. Since stepping into leadership, Julie has transformed Skunk into more than just a publication—it has become a platform for education, empowerment, and equity. In a space historically dominated by men, Julie’s unapologetic advocacy for women and her commitment to sustainability and plant medicine have broken barriers and opened doors for countless women, including Latinas, to shine. For those of us navigating the cannabis space today, Julie’s leadership is a reminder that representation matters and that Latinas belong at the forefront of shaping culture, business, and community.

As we enter Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, the celebration takes on deeper meaning. Across the country, Latine communities are under attack, with recent ICE raids targeting Latino families, disrupting lives, and sowing fear. These injustices echo a painful history of systemic oppression. At both Latinas in Cannabis and Skunk Magazine, we refuse to stay silent. We stand firm in condemning these actions. Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together, uplift one another, and showcase our power, resilience, and brilliance. Our community is not defined by fear but by strength, solidarity, and the countless contributions Latinas make to the cannabis industry and beyond.

The cannabis plant itself teaches us about healing, connection, and resilience—values that resonate deeply with Latine culture. For generations, our abuelas and madres have passed down ancestral knowledge of plant medicine. Today, Latinas are reclaiming that legacy, weaving tradition into innovation as entrepreneurs, cultivators, educators, and advocates. From founding brands to leading equity movements, Latinas are unapologetically shaping cannabis as a force for cultural pride, economic empowerment, and community care.

One of the most powerful spaces where this collective energy comes alive is the Annual Latinas in Cannabis Summit, which returns for its third year this September in Los Angeles. Hosted in collaboration with Eaze, the Summit has cemented itself as the premier gathering for Latina cannabis professionals and enthusiasts. It is more than just a conference—it is a celebration, a reunion, and a launchpad for opportunities. Deals are struck, businesses are born, careers are elevated, and stigmas are shattered.

This year’s Summit will feature impactful panels and skill-building workshops spanning cannabis education, entrepreneurship, executive leadership, finance, and even the intersections of cannabis with motherhood and cultural identity. With onsite cannabis sales curated by Eaze, a limited-edition Cannabiotix x Latinas in Cannabis T-shirt activation, and immersive experiences like the Puffco Dab Wagon, the event is as dynamic as the women it honors. The Vendor Village will showcase Latina-owned and ally brands, amplifying voices that often go unheard in mainstream spaces.

But beyond the activations and panels, the heart of the Summit is community. It is a sacred space where Latinas can come as they are—powerful, multifaceted, and proud. It’s where we find sisters who share our struggles and our triumphs, and where we collectively build a future rooted in equity and representation.

As Latinas, we know what it means to work twice as hard for half the recognition. We know the weight of stigma, the challenge of balancing culture with career, and the persistence it takes to thrive in industries that weren’t built for us. But we also know the richness of our heritage, the depth of our resilience, and the unstoppable force of our collective power. When we stand together, we are not just part of the cannabis industry—we are transforming it.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, let us honor our ancestors, celebrate our present victories, and envision the future we are building. From the pages of Skunk Magazine to the stage of the Latinas in Cannabis Summit, the message is clear: Latinas are not only part of the cannabis movement—we are leading it.

Here’s to Latina power in cannabis. Here’s to Julie Chiariello and every mujer paving the way. Here’s to community, resilience, and celebration. And here’s to the unstoppable force that is Latinas in Cannabis. ¡Pa’lante siempre!

Photos credit: @stoner.shenanigans