As more and more U.S. states legalize recreational cannabis use, we are starting to see an uptick in data around consumer trends that render the stereotypical weed bro trope we’re accustomed to in the movies no longer applicable. In fact, recent data from 2023 shows that certain demographics of women (19-30) are outpacing men when it comes to consuming cannabis. The Forbes report goes on to connect the dots between women disproportionately experiencing certain health issues over men, such as anxiety, pain, and sleep deprivation.
Additionally, as we’ve seen the conversation around women’s pain being ignored by mainstream healthcare become increasingly loud, and the lack of medical focus on issues such as menopause and perimenopause for example, it is no wonder that women are taking back control and finding methods that best serve their health needs.
One entrepreneur who is a great example of what this looks like is Jill Cohen – founder of the Elevated By CannaBoss Lady Licensed Dispensary and CannaBoss Lady Flower brand.
Jill is a cannabis expert and is the proud owner of the first woman-owned dispensary in Essex County, New Jersey. Her company is also the first brand in the entire state to launch a prerolls variety pack with 3 different strains in one canister. As an educator and entrepreneur, she has more than two decades of experience in business development, sales, and experiential events management in the advertising industry, where she served as the executive vice president of the International Advertising Association.
But Jill’s true passion lies in the cannabis health and wellness industry because of her personal experience with extreme anxiety and panic attacks during her childhood. She found relief and healing in cannabis. In 2020, she founded TheCannaBoss Lady Boutique, and in 2023, she opened a Licensed Micro-dispensary, both of which are the first independent women-owned cannabis storefronts in Maplewood Village and Essex County, New Jersey.
In Spring of 2025, she will launch CannaBoss Lady Prerolls Variety 3-pack (Indica, Hybrid, Sativa). Built on Jill’s passion for cannabis — for wellness and for fun. Empowered by her own journey, she is committed to helping other boss ladies be the healthiest, happiest, sexiest version of themselves.
Knowing how important it is for women to be in control of their own healthcare journeys and find a supportive community, we had the chance to talk more about Jill’s experience with menopause, cannabis, and her vision for including cannabis in more healthcare conversations.
How did you first get involved in the Cannabis industry, and what are the current laws or restrictions about cannabis in New Jersey?
My journey with cannabis began in childhood, when I struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks, and I discovered relief through cannabis–despite doctors finding nothing wrong with me. This experience motivated me to become a Certified Consultant and Brand Ambassador for CBD brands, including Potency No. 710 and TribeTokes.
In 2020, I established TheCannaBossLady Wellness Boutique, and in 2023, I opened a licensed dispensary, both being the first independent women-owned cannabis storefronts in Maplewood Village and Essex County, New Jersey.
Your experience with menopause was also a critical factor in your foray into cannabis. Can you share more about your journey and what made you turn to cannabis?
I began to notice menopause symptoms at 45. I dealt with brain fog, poor focus, and about 10 hot flashes daily that lasted around 10 minutes each, along with night sweats that disrupted my sleep, leading to feelings of anger and rage. With a family history of breast cancer, I was wary of hormone therapy and preferred to steer clear of pharmaceutical drugs unless absolutely essential; therefore, I opted for a plant-based remedy—cannabis.
What are the common menopause symptoms cannabis can help with, and that you found relief from?
Cannabis can help relieve depression, brain fog, lack of focus and clarity, hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, anger/rage, itchy dry skin and scalp, achy bones and muscles, and hair loss. It’s pretty amazing all of the different ways it mitigates menopause symptoms!
There is a lot of heightened awareness around the lack of support and even scientific or medical knowledge about menopause in general. But there has been a recent surge in more women refusing to accept the status quo. Why is this shift important to witness, especially for women’s health?
For ages women have quietly endured the symptoms of menopause. We are often dismissed as irrational, labeled unfairly as difficult or unhinged. This condition has long been misunderstood and neglected. It’s not our fault; it’s simply how our bodies function. I believe women are ready to stop suffering in silence and are ready to engage in open discussions and education about this topic. As men, particularly husbands, gain more understanding, their relationships with their wives, mothers, and sisters will also significantly improve.
When recommending Cannabis products for women going through menopause, is there a preference on gummies, topical creams, tinctures, etc?
All of the Cannabis options target specific menopause symptoms, and individuals often have their preferences among them. Many people utilize a variety of methods: topical applications for itchy skin, scalp problems, and muscle soreness; tinctures for severe issues and irritability, as they provide quick relief and increased potency; gummies for aiding sleep, alleviating pain, supporting weight loss, combating depression, and enhancing libido; and flower or prerolls for fast-acting way to address symptoms.
Functional mushrooms are emerging as the most effective remedy for cognitive brain function-related symptoms. Additionally, black cohosh root is a secret botanical herb.
Are there any side effects or other potential adverse impacts women should be aware of if they decide to try Cannabis to manage menopause symptoms?
Some women may experience a racing heart, anti-social feelings, drowsiness, munchies, and dry mouth and eyes, but that’s about it. It’s non-addictive, a natural anti-inflammatory, plant-based, and either works or doesn’t depending on the person. There are no side effects.
Stress is also a big factor in people wanting to try Cannabis, especially women. What can you tell us about stress in your own life and how you managed stress?
I manage stress in my own life by listening to my body… I wake up every morning with anxiety and a stomach ache, so I start my day with functional mushrooms and CBD powder in my coffee to calm my nerves, reduce brain fog, and improve clarity and focus, while wearing a smile on my face. At lunch, I might have a CBD seltzer or a dropper of Menopause tincture, and then after work, I smoke flower or prerolls to unwind after a long day.
We love that the cannabis world, previously stereotyped as very male-dominated, is seeing so many female-founded companies being launched, like CannaBoss Lady. As the first woman-owned dispensary in Northern New Jersey, how do you leverage this to reach out to your community?
I am lucky to live in an area that celebrates female trailblazers and yearns for diversity, especially when it comes to supporting small business owners and founders. I work very hard to support fellow female business owners through my dispensary Elevated by the CannaBoss Lady. I have a rotating art gallery in my dispensary and every month I bring in a new visual artist who is often female.
For our artists we host a reception for them and give them a lot of social media buzz. We also aim to curate our dispensary with woman-owned brands, for example, we sell Veda Warrior products, founded by Smrita Choubey, which sells infused coconut oil and olive oil to use in cooking.
We also partnered with DirectLeaf which is a woman-owned business that delivers dispensary products to customers’ homes. I am thrilled that my new prerolls CannaBoss Lady Sexy, Dope & Chic Prerolls will be available for delivery for free within a 10 mil radius of our dispensary starting this April!
As more women and organizations push to make advancements in women’s health, recognizing the lack of funding, support and awareness in so many areas, how do you hope Cannabis will become an integral part of the ongoing conversation?
The good news, from my perspective as an entrepreneur in the space, it already is… It’s becoming mainstream to add cannabis remedies and research to most health and wellness conversations.
Visit the CannaBoss Lady website to learn more about the dispensary, and follow Jill Cohen on Instagram.
