Cannabis Businesses Archives -

Alexis Berends Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

May 30, 2023Cannabis Business Stories, Cannabis Businesses, Women Owned Cannabis Businesses, Women Who Inspire

Alexis Berends Chief Visionary Officer

Alexis Berends job title is Chief Visionary Officer at Union Chill Cannabis Company llc. In Lambertville, NJ. The title fits her.

Alexis has lived in Lambertville, NJ, (Nishowmensa, Lenapehoking) most of her life. At best calculation, her son is the seventh generation to call her beloved river city home. Hailing from a line of activists, musicians, and artists, she deeply believes in inclusivity and change, and that the fledgling NJ cannabis industry can be utilized as a catalyst to shape our collective future.

After receiving a Bachelors of Honors in Globalization, Development and Human Rights from Arcadia University in 2009, Alexis continued on to pursue her Masters in International Peace & Conflict Resolution. Her studies brought her to the Middle East where she studied the plight of the Palestinian people in the context of environmental justice. Her research was focused on water access and indigenous rights through the lens of international law. After a series of divine interventions – including a vision quest with an AWOL Israeli soldier and a kidnapping in revolutionary Egypt – her life path was forever altered.

Upon returning to the United States, Alexis promptly moved to St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. During her time in the USVI, Alexis began to immerse herself in the Rastafarian culture and their deep relationship with cannabis. After leaving the USVI, Alexis found her way to Humboldt County, California where she was introduced to the cultivation side of cannabis. Not dissimilar to the USVI, in California Alexis gained an intimate glimpse into the lives of many of our Native American brothers & sisters who have been so negatively impacted by the war on drugs and industries at large.

It is Alexis’ goal to create a cannabis industry that honors the First Nations Peoples of the world and a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, as well as one that offers sincere equity to the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Alexis Berends is also a Divemaster, Master Shark Diver, Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Master. She enjoys anything related to vampires, the ocean, and the spacetime continuum. Of her revolving titles at Union Chill Cannabis, Chief Visionary Officer seems to best encompass her passions and vision. She deeply believes in the medicine of cannabis, especially in treating PTSD in conjunction with mindfulness and intention.

Laurie McHugh Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023Cannabis Business Stories, Cannabis Businesses, Women Owned Cannabis Businesses

Laurie McHugh Setting the Standard

Laurie McHugh had a vision to bring high quality safe cannabis to the New Jersey recreational market and employ a diverse staff. She believes employees should have a living wage, benefits, and be supported in volunteering their time to community organizations. Laurie’s vision is a reality. Laurie is the co-founder and CEO of Union Chill Cannabis Company llc, 204 Union, Lambertville, N.J. It is Laurie’s goal is to be the Gold Star standard of dispensaries in New Jersey with a curated inventory of quality products and strains.

Laurie is an active part of her community. She is well known in her community for founding Bucks County Dragon Boat Association, a competitive club that competes on the world stage and is dedicated to easing food insecurity. She is committed to healthy living, and she has first-hand experience with the benefits of cannabis use.

She also currently serving her second term as elected member of the New Hope Borough Council, where she serves as a liaison to the community at large, businesses, and state government. Prior to her involvement in the cannabis industry, Laurie served as the Vice President of an international real estate investment firm and as VP of her family’s industrial manufacturing company.

Laurie brings her passion for the plant, commitment to her community and educational background to Union Chill Cannabis Company LLC.

Laurie holds an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from the Lansdale School of Business in Pennsylvania. Laurie received a Certificate of Completion at the Cannabis Training University covering cannabis cultivation, cooking and extractions, cannabis laws and regulations, bud tending, dispensary operations, delivery service operations, medicinal cannabis, cannabis business training, and cannabis careers. She also received Certificates of Completion from Stockton University’s Continuing Studies program in risk management and insurance for cannabis businesses, cultivation, law, research in medical and adult-use cannabis, and general cannabis studies.

Christi Terpening Women Cultivating Success

September 14, 2022November 8, 2022Cannabis Businesses

Christi Terpening Binske

Christi Terpening describes herself as a Cannabis enthusiast and marketing professional, her official title is Christi Terpening, Marketing Coordinator Florida for Binske. Binske is a national luxury cannabis brand.

Christi’s career was focused on the retail beauty industry and luxury cosmetic brands. During her career with Nordstrom, she managed multiple cosmetics counters including promotions, merchandising, demos, special VIP events, and customer service.

Health issues lead her to a holistic and natural approach to wellness. Christie became Shoden Reiki First Degree Certified and Okuden Reiki Second Degree Certified. She received a Cannabis Fundamentals Certificate and Cannabis CBD Certificate from Green Flower Media.

Her background in luxury brands and her knowledge of the healing properties of cannabis attracted her to Binske. Binske’s website, an immersive art experience, resonated with her sense of design and approach to marketing high end products.

Christi’s personal experience with the Binske line of products inspired her to apply for a position as a brand ambassador. Her expertise and success in the beauty industry synced with skill sets needed to become the Marketing Coordinator (Florida).

Her commitment to a holistic lifestyle and natural products is reflected in Binske’s approach:

“Binske represents a complexity of flavors and sensations with every bite, sip, or hit. In order to select optimum ingredients, it is essential to understand where, how, and when such ingredients are harvested.” co-founder and Executive Vice President Alex Pasternack. Source

When asked what her favorite product was, she immediately answered “the Chocolate”.

“The Binske chocolate is made from Peruvian Pure Nacional, which is one of the rarest and most prized cacao crops in the world. It’s a highly regarded strain that was thought to be extinct over 100 years ago and recently rediscovered in a remote part of the Amazon jungle. All Binske cannabis-infused chocolate is exclusively made with these Pure Nacional cacao beans. The finished product is a refined taste, paired beautifully with each ingredient for the perfect dose and flavor in every bite.”

Christi is passionate about educating medical marijuana patients to enable them to make the best choices when purchasing THC and CBD products. She encourages consumers to ask questions and research brands. She is a cannabis activist and educator, who also volunteers for Underline Day in the Dirt.

Christi Terpening is a woman cultivating success in her community and in the cannabis industry. To learn more about her journey and her insights and advice on developing a career in cannabis join the conversation with Christi: Women Cultivating Success – Conversations with Women in the Cannabis Industry Details & Registration

Why Women Should Purse a Career in the Cannabis Industries

March 9, 2022November 8, 2022Cannabis Businesses

Women Careers in Cannabis

Cannabis industries’ careers and opportunities are not limited to THC rich plants or products. The hemp industry and cannabinoid market are a major part of the cannabis industry. Each of these three markets have created new opportunities for ancillary businesses, as well as, new ancillary businesses. Whether you are an artist or accountant, a salesperson or a scientist there are opportunities in the cannabis industries. The research and the numbers show the growth and stability of the cannabis, hemp, and cannabinoid markets.

In 2021 the cannabis industry created an average of 280 new jobs per day. Leafly’s 2022 Jobs Report found that as of January 2022, 428,059 full time jobs were supported by the cannabis industry. The total number of people working in the industry is predicted to grow to 1.5 million to 1.75 million as the legal market matures. Employment agencies, such as Vangst, have emerged to fill cannabis positions in all legal states. Traditional employment agencies like Indeed have added cannabis “help wanted” listings.

Cannabis careers and opportunities are plentiful and varied. Cannabidiol, cannabis and hemp markets are rapidly expanding, and revenues are in the millions and billions of dollars.

CBD is currently the most common cannabidiol product on the market. There are more than 100 cannabidiols, including THC and CBD. The market is seeing the introduction of CBN and CBG products and the emergence of Delta-8, opening up new career and business opportunities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Cannabidiol Oil (CBD Oil) market size is estimated to be worth USD 720.5 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 3213.4 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 28.3% during the review period. Absolute Reports

CBD-infused Products Market Worth $216.8 Billion by 2028. Global Newswire

The global CBD skin care market size was valued at $633.6 million in 2018 and is anticipated to reach $3,484.00 million by 2026.

The CBD skin care market exhibits an incremental revenue opportunity of $2,747.4 million from 2019 to 2026. Alliedmarketresearch.com

Hardy and renewable, industrial hemp produces a variety of products, including health foods, organic body care, clothing, construction materials, biofuels, animal feed, plastic composites and more. It is estimated that over 25,000 products can be made from hemp. Hemp offers unlimited career avenues.

In 2021, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $824 million. Industrial Hemp Market to reach $310 million by 2027 National Hemp Report USDA

Cannabis is now the fifth most valuable crop in the U.S. It has evolved into gourmet edibles and beverages, topicals, concentrates, and new methods of consuming. Only 13 states have not legalized medical or recreational cannabis.

The legal cannabis market is projected to pull in $43 billion by 2025. New Frontier Data.

The U.S. cannabis industry is now projected to be worth $100 billion USD by 2030. Business Insider

But, beyond the numbers – Why should women pursue cannabis careers?

The cannabis, cannabinoid, hemp industry is in its infancy. This provides the opportunity to grow and advance your career.
Rapid expansion and innovation continually create new career options.
CBD, hemp, and cannabis careers offer personal satisfaction. All are known for their healing properties, as well as, the potential to heal the planet.
There is genuine support from other women and women’s groups in the industry.
The cannabis industries need smart women in executive roles.

Notably, in 2021, the percentage of women who hold executive positions, 22.1%, fell below the average recorded across the larger U.S. business landscape, 29.8%, according to the 2021 report, “Women & Minorities in the Cannabis Industry.”