In a report released this year by Leafly, the cannabis industry now supports well over 320,000 full-time jobs. The space is developing at an incredible rate and is on the verge of being a well over $30 billion industry by the end of 2020. As the industry continues to grow, it is important to highlight emerging leaders particularly those in the college cannabis space. Being that the industry is so youthful, many young professionals are looking to get their foot in the door, especially women. Women make up over 37% of senior-level positions in the cannabis industry, a number that shames the national average of 21% for other industries in the US. Here at SMART, we interviewed five women in the college cannabis space who are staking their claim in the industry.
Jenna Misciascio – Stockton SMART
Although she has always been an advocate, Misciascio got her start in the industry through Stockton University’s Cannabis Studies Minor. As she learned more about the space, she was inspired to charter the first chapter of SMART at Stockton. Throughout her time as President, she’s been working hard to get more students engaged, hosting industry events, and helping members network in the NJ industry. With NJ legalizing adult-use this year, it will be interesting to see the growth of their industry as the green wave passes down the East coast.
University & Class
Stockton University Class of 2021
Major
How did you get your start in cannabis? What did you learn?
What are you most proud of in your cannabis experiences / career?
Any cannabis book / podcast / magazine recommendations for aspiring professionals?
Favorite strain?
Space Queen
Maha Haq – Cannaclub at UCLA
Maha is the founder and CEO of Cannaclub, a collegiate organization focused on cannabis education, activism, and empowering students interested in the cannabis industry. Under her leadership, she has expanded Cannaclub from UCLA to 20 universities across the country. She is also heavily involved in the developing cannabis consumption lounge space through her business development firm, The Highspitality Group where she consults applicants and licensees across 10 cities. Although she is already leaving a lasting impact through all her work in the industry, she has so much more to accomplish.
University & Class
UCLA Class of 2019 + University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy Class of 2021
Major
How did you get your start in cannabis? What did you learn?
What are you most proud of in your cannabis experiences / career?
- Founding the cannabis student organization, Cannaclub at my alma mater, UCLA, and expanding to our other chapters.
- Having a full page spread feature in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2020 Top 100 Women highlighting my efforts with Cannaclub.
- Being at the forefront of the consumption lounge sector in West Hollywood and now developing them through my firm, The Highspitality Group.
- Lecturing cannabis science classes at Oaksterdam University.
Any cannabis book / podcast / magazine recommendations for aspiring professionals?
- Science – Cannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany by Robert Clarke
- History – Marijuana: A Short History by John Hudak
- Cultivation – Marijuana Grow Basics: The Easy Guide for Cannabis Aficionados by Jose Cervantes
- Extraction – Hashish! by Robert Clarke
Favorite strain?
Jordan Olivier – Cornell SMART
Only a sophomore at Cornell, Jordan is a young leader in the college cannabis space. A Currently she is the President of Cornell SMART, where the organization is in prime position to extend their current reach with NY legalizing adult-use this year. With just one year under her belt, be on the lookout over the next few years, as she is destined to take her chapter at Cornell to greater heights in the industry.
University & Class
Cornell University Class of 2023
Major
How did you get your start in cannabis? What did you learn?
What are you most proud of in your cannabis experiences / career?
Any brand/company/cannabis professional that inspires you?
Favorite strain?
GSC
Kayla Thompson – SMART
As a student at Harvard, Kayla got her start in the industry through SMART. Learning that cannabis has “applications that touch almost everything” has helped her realize the complexity that comes with “working in cannabis”. For those looking for success in the industry, Thompson feels that it’s important to be a sponge for information because of the intersectionality that comes with cannabis and other industries. Currently she is working with a social equity applicant in Michigan to help get a dispensary license.
University & Class
Harvard University Class of 2019
Major
How did you get your start in cannabis? What did you learn?
What are you most proud of in your cannabis experiences / career?
Any cannabis book / podcast / magazine recommendations for aspiring professionals?
Favorite strain?
Lemon Haze
Carolina Souza – Cannabis at USC
Growing up in Brazil, she was raised being told all these negative stereotypes about cannabis. However after learning about the plant, Carolina quickly became enamored with the industry; so much so that she was a founding member of Cannaclub USC in 2019, which is now under the name Cannabis at USC. Now as the President, she has played a crucial role in assisting previously unemployed students with job opportunities in the cannabis space. As an advocate of cannabinology and endocannabinology, one of her ultimate goals is to be a part of the revolution that brings cannabis therapeutics to Latin America.
University & Class
University of Southern California – Marshall School of Business
Major
How did you get your start in cannabis? What did you learn?
What are you most proud of in your cannabis experiences / career?
Any cannabis book / podcast / magazine recommendations for aspiring professionals?
Favorite strain?
Granddaddy Purple
