For Women’s History Month, we wanted to celebrate the women whose contributions have shaped and impacted cannabis science, medicine, policy, and culture. The history of cannabis is often told through the lens of prohibition and modern legalization movements, and women have played a critical role in advancing that cannabis knowledge, advocacy, and medical use for centuries.
From ancient healers documenting medicinal properties to modern scientists uncovering the biological mechanisms of cannabinoids, women have helped define how society understands cannabis. Others have fought on the front lines of activism, pushing for compassionate access and legal reform during some of the most restrictive periods of cannabis prohibition.
There are several influential women whose work helped shape the cannabis landscape, from ancient medicinal traditions to modern scientific discovery and policy reform, and we honor some of our favorites below.
Ancient to Pre-Modern Era
Princess of Ukok (5th Century BC)
One of the earliest known examples of cannabis use connected to a female figure comes from the burial site of the Princess of Ukok, discovered in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. Dating back to the 5th century BC, the remains of this young woman were found preserved in permafrost along with containers of cannabis.
Archaeologists believe the cannabis may have been used medicinally, possibly to treat pain associated with breast cancer or other serious illness. The discovery provides some of the earliest physical evidence of cannabis being used for therapeutic purposes and suggests that women may have been among the earliest practitioners and beneficiaries of cannabis-based medicine.
The Princess of Ukok’s burial site highlights how cannabis has long been integrated into healing traditions across cultures and demonstrates that women were central figures in early medicinal practices involving the plant.
Hildegard von Bingen (11th Century)
Another early figure in cannabis history is Hildegard von Bingen, a German abbess, mystic, composer, and medical writer whose works significantly influenced medieval European medicine.
In her writings, she referenced a plant she called “Cannabus,” which scholars believe referred to cannabis. Hildegard described its potential medicinal benefits, recommending it in certain cases to relieve nausea and improve digestion.
Hildegard’s texts are part of a broader body of herbal medicine literature from the Middle Ages, when monasteries served as centers for scientific and medical knowledge. Her work contributed to the preservation and documentation of plant-based medicine at a time when formal medical institutions were limited.
Her documentation demonstrates that cannabis had a recognized role in early European medicinal traditions and underscores the influence women had in recording and transmitting medical knowledge.
20th Century Activism and Science
Margaret Mead (1969)
During the height of cannabis prohibition in the United States, anthropologist Margaret Mead emerged as an unexpected but influential voice in the debate.
In 1969, Mead testified before Congress during hearings related to cannabis policy. Drawing on her extensive cross-cultural research, she argued that cannabis prohibition was not supported by anthropological or historical evidence and advocated for more rational drug policy.
Her testimony helped introduce a broader scientific perspective into early cannabis policy discussions, emphasizing the need for research and cultural understanding rather than fear-driven legislation.
Mead’s contributions helped legitimize academic voices in the conversation about cannabis legalization at a time when public discourse was dominated by stigma and misinformation.
Mary Jane Rathbun (“Brownie Mary,” 1980s)
Few figures in cannabis activism are as beloved as Mary Jane Rathbun, better known as “Brownie Mary.” Living in San Francisco during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, Rathbun baked and distributed thousands of cannabis-infused brownies to patients suffering from severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss.
Her work provided comfort to individuals facing life-threatening illness at a time when medical cannabis was illegal and highly stigmatized. Despite multiple arrests, Rathbun continued her activism and became a public advocate for compassionate access to cannabis.
Her efforts played a major role in shaping the movement that eventually led to the passage of California Proposition 215 in 1996, the first statewide medical cannabis legalization measure in the United States.
Brownie Mary remains a powerful symbol of grassroots activism and patient-centered cannabis reform.
Allyn Howlett (1988)
While activists were fighting for patient access, scientists were simultaneously working to understand how cannabis interacts with the human body.
Neuropharmacologist Dr. Allyn Howlett made one of the most important discoveries in cannabis science in 1988 when she identified the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the brain. This receptor is a key component of the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The discovery helped explain how compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact with the brain to produce many of the effects associated with cannabis.
Dr. Howlett’s work opened the door to decades of research into cannabinoid pharmacology, ultimately shaping modern understanding of cannabis-based therapeutics.
Alice O’Leary Randall (1970s–Present)
Alice O’Leary Randall is another key figure in the fight for medical cannabis rights. After her husband, Robert Randall, used cannabis to treat glaucoma, the couple fought a landmark legal battle in the 1970s.
Their defense successfully argued that cannabis was medically necessary for Robert’s condition, making it the first successful medical necessity defense for cannabis in the United States.
Following this victory, the couple helped establish the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, one of the earliest organizations advocating for medical cannabis legalization and patient rights.
Alice O’Leary Randall has continued to advocate for cannabis reform and patient access for decades, helping shape the early foundation of the modern medical cannabis movement.
The Legacy of Women in Cannabis
The cannabis industry as we know it today was shaped by generations of women who contributed as healers, researchers, and activists. Their work spans thousands of years—from ancient medicinal practices to groundbreaking scientific discovery and policy reform.
These pioneers challenged stigma, advanced scientific understanding, and advocated for compassionate patient access. Their contributions continue to influence modern cannabis policy, research, and industry practices.
As the legal cannabis industry continues to grow, recognizing the women who helped build its foundation is an important reminder that innovation and progress often come from voices willing to challenge the status quo.
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate these pioneers and the many women who continue to shape the future of cannabis science, advocacy, and industry leadership.