More women are in leading roles in the marijuana industry than in other fields, according to a new study.
Nearly 37% of top-level jobs at cannabis companies belong to women, according to a new report from Marijuana Business Daily. That's higher than the national average of 21% for other American businesses.
Cannabis is a young industry that's looking to diversify early compared to family-owned businesses that have been around for years, according to research editor Eli McVey.
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"A lot of the businesses that started the up in this industry were launched on the savings or the debt of the founders and the owners," said McVey. "They're filling key positions with friends and family members."
Access to capital remains a big challenge for women in the industry, he said.
"These are industries that are largely dominated by men," McVey said. "As such, whether consciously or unconsciously, they are more apt to provide funding and support, such as mentorship, to businesses owned or led by people that look like them."
People with drug convictions have been more easily able to enter the marijuana industry than other fields too, the report said.