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BUSINESS Women pack Armory for cannabis business event 'Women Grow' group kicks off in Southern Oregon Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Facebook nixes dispensary Web page • Southern Oregon hemp growers look to oil to make good money • Statewide marijuana business conference Saturday in Ashland • Retail customers lined up at medical marijuana dispenaries in Ashland on Thursday... » Social News You know it’s a women’s business conference through some tell-tale signs beyond the big sign hanging from the rafters which says “Women Grow: Cultivating Cannabis Leaders,” at the kickoff event for Women Grow in Southern Oregon held Thursday at the Historic Ashland Armory. Among those signs are tables bustling with women ranging in age from 21 to beyond 60 excitedly trading business cards and asking how they can get together to talk more about helping each other. Others are a fashion show of hemp dresses, blouses and skirts and the presence of groups of women dancing as music floods the floor, capping off with a lively concert by longtime cannabis activist and singer Alcyon Massive. “I think anytime women are involved we can do it better,” said Rose Anne Cattanach from Eagle Green Farms in Eagle Point. “We can communicate.” Cattanach has been a medical grower for some years now and says it’s important that the recreational money to be made in cannabis does not leave behind patients. She also says it’s important women don’t get left behind financially from the rush to make profits and the propensity to be competitive and aggressive when there’s money on the table. “I don’t think we’re going to stand for it,” she said. The conference had 170 pre-sale tickets and lines were wrapped around the block to get in. Sponsors, primarily women in businesses, displayed big logos and tables with products from big enterprises like C02, a licensed testing facility for cannabis, to The THC Factory, a packaging company, to small growers and edible makers, like no-till farmer and baker Cheryl Johnson of West Coast Baked Goodness. “Women Grow” is the idea of founder Jazmin Hupp, named a “genius entrepreneur” by Fortune Magazine and a top businesswomen in the cannabis industry by Forbes. Her company boasts 45 conferences in different cities every month. It is “inviting women to lead the cannabis industry.” And, it appears to be working. They have corporate offices across the country and are in 40 cities for networking events across the US and Canada in May. In addition “Women Grow” holds annual leadership summits and educational seminars. The organization puts their goals this way: “Women Grow was created to connect, educate, inspire and empower the next generation of cannabis industry leaders by creating programs, community and events for aspiring and current business executives. Founded in 2014 in Denver, Women Grow is a for-profit entity that serves as a catalyst for women to influence and succeed in the cannabis industry as the end of marijuana prohibition occurs on a national scale.” The energy in the room is palpable as groups of women crowd around each display, taking down information, making promises to meet and figuring out ways to create co-business opportunities. Some women brought their trailing spouses and partners, but the message was clear these people were there to collaborate and communicate with other women about how they’ll be doing business in the future. Johnson from West Coast Baked Goodness describes that future kind of business as needing to be based on taking care of people and community. She said her business model relies on best practices for the soil and cannabis and best practices as an employer paying a living wage. She plans on hiring those who may not be hired by others. “We need to hire people who are caught in a cycle where they can’t get out," Johnson said. "Single mothers, people with disabilities, people who just need a good job. We can make a sick amount of money and continue the gluttonous economy we’ve had, or we can give back.” Her position is that women using new technology and old wisdom can and will create a business that is successful and fair. Between networking and trading ideas, gymnastic dancers from “The Curtain Climbers,” an all-female aerial silks performing company, hung from the high beams of the Historic Ashland Armory, flying through the energized air to synchronized music. A woman walking past whispers, “See, that’s what we can do.” Ellen Morris, a 59-year-old woman who said she wasn’t sure she could find a good job at her age is now employed by Sunnara Acres. “Women have been the growers for so long," Morris said. "I think there’s a lot less good-ole-boy network.” She adds that women in this business tend to hire other women. “I believe it offers many opportunities other businesses don’t offer for women young or old," Morris said. "It’s a bright, new world.” Oregon Rep. Ann Lininger, an Ashland native now living in and representing the Lake Oswego district, is the keynote speaker. She applauds the audience on what she describes as its ability to push laws through the legislature that she characterized as more just for all Oregonians and promoting good business practices inclusive to women. “We’re moving from a time when people thought cannabis was a problem," she says, "to a time when it can be helpful and women entrepreneurs are making that change.” To a clapping crowd lining the stage, she says, “You helped educate the legislature that this is good.” With that, the music cued up, the band came on stage and the crowd of serious business women kicked off sandals and danced to “Aint it Fresh,” the Oregon anthem as sung by Alycon Massive, praising the lifestyle of growing organically. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted May. 6, 2016 at 3:04 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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