Throughout history, trailblazing women have played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative surrounding cannabis, from its medicinal and spiritual uses to its cultural significance and legal advocacy. As a proudly female-founded cannabis company, Autumn Brands is on a mission to celebrate and showcase our sinsemilla sisters.
The cannabis timeline is filled with stories of courageous and visionary women who have defied convention and championed the plant’s virtues. From ancient priestesses and healers to modern advocates and entrepreneurs, women have played a central role in shaping the narrative surrounding cannabis and advocating for its acceptance and recognition.
We’re wrapping up our celebration of femme and flower this Women’s History Month with trailblazing women who have fearlessly championed the plant’s benefits and paved the way for its acceptance and recognition in modern times despite facing societal stigmas and legal constraints.
Ancient Priestesses and Healers
In ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia and China, women held sacred positions as priestesses and healers, harnessing the power of cannabis for spiritual rituals and medicinal purposes. Historical texts and archaeological evidence suggest that cannabis was revered as a sacred plant, valued for its therapeutic properties and ability to induce altered states of consciousness.
Magu, the hemp goddess, holds a sacred place in ancient Chinese mythology as a symbol of vitality, fertility and longevity. Revered for her connection to the hemp plant, Magu is often depicted as a youthful and ethereal figure adorned with sprigs of hemp leaves and flowers. She’s celebrated for her nurturing and healing qualities, with legends attributing her powers to bestow health, abundance and spiritual enlightenment upon those who honor her. As a patroness of herbal medicine and holistic wellness, Magu embodies the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, inspiring appreciation for hemp’s medicinal and therapeutic properties throughout history.
Cannabis as Medicine
From the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods through to today, trailblazing women have played a vital role in the use of cannabis as medicine, highlighting the plant’s enduring role in women’s health throughout history. Herbalists and midwives relied on cannabis preparations to alleviate a myriad of ailments, including menstrual cramps, childbirth pain and psychological distress.
Queen Victoria’s historic association with cannabis for period pain stands as a testament to the plant’s longstanding medicinal use. During the 19th century, Queen Victoria reportedly received a prescription for cannabis to alleviate her menstrual cramps. The Queen’s physician, Sir J. Russell Reynolds, wrote extensively about cannabis and is said to have recommended cannabis as a treatment for her severe menstrual discomfort. This anecdote sheds light on the recognition of cannabis’s analgesic properties even among the highest echelons of society at that time.
Counterculture Icons
Brownie Mary, also known as Mary Jane Rathbun, was a pioneering cannabis activist and caregiver whose legacy continues to inspire advocacy for medical marijuana. Born in 1922, Brownie Mary gained prominence in the 1980s for her compassionate work providing homemade cannabis brownies to AIDS patients in San Francisco. Recognizing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for alleviating symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite, she became a symbol of compassion and defiance in the face of unjust laws criminalizing cannabis. Despite facing legal repercussions for her actions, Brownie Mary remained steadfast in her belief in the healing power of cannabis and tirelessly campaigned for its legalization. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the profound impact individuals can have in championing cannabis reform and advancing access to medical marijuana for those in need.
Modern Advocates and Entrepreneurs
In the 21st century, women continue to make significant contributions to the cannabis industry as advocates, entrepreneurs and innovators. Women-owned cannabis businesses are flourishing, offering diverse products and services catering to female consumers’ unique needs. Trailblazing women like Dr. Sue Sisley, a renowned cannabis researcher and Wanda James, the first African American woman to own a cannabis dispensary, are leading the charge for cannabis legalization and social equity.