Inside the Regulated Cannabis Industry in Canada
Discover how women in cannabis are shaping the regulated cannabis industry in Canada. Meet Maria and Sabrina at Cannara Biotech, and learn how leadership, science, and resilience drive growth.
The cannabis industry in Canada continues to evolve within one of the most rigorous federally regulated markets in the world. At Cannara, we believe that progress in this space is driven by people behind it, particularly the women whose expertise, discipline, and leadership help move the industry forward.
This International Women’s Day, we highlight two professionals whose journeys reflect the transformation of cannabis from stigma to science, and from curiosity to commercialized product.
Maria, Product Manager: From Psychology to Commercialization
Maria’s journey into cannabis began in 2019 while studying psychology in Brazil. Fascinated by how substances interact with the brain and nervous system, she became particularly interested in cannabis — scientifically complex and socially misunderstood.
At the time, cannabis remained fully criminalized in Brazil. The contrast between its emerging scientific research and the surrounding stigma deepened her commitment to understanding the plant beyond surface narratives.
“Knowledge is our most powerful tool when change is needed.”
Before relocating to Canada in 2022, Maria contributed to educational initiatives in Latin America and helped build a women-focused cannabis community centered on dialogue and responsible information-sharing.
Upon arriving in Canada, she entered the regulated cannabis industry from the ground up — beginning in sanitation during her first week in the country. She progressed through environmental and cultivation, quality control, and eventually product and marketing.
This cross-functional background gave her a comprehensive understanding of:
- Operational precision within a federally regulated market
- Quality assurance and compliance standards
- Interdepartmental collaboration
- Provincial requirements for bringing product to market
“My path hasn’t been linear, but it has always been intentional.”
Maria’s career reflects a broader reality within the cannabis industry in Canada: leadership is often built through technical depth, resilience, and adaptability.
Today, she brings that operational and scientific foundation into marketing — helping bridge regulatory responsibility with consumer education.
Sabrina, Director of Cultivation: Growing Alongside a Transforming Industry
Sabrina’s professional path mirrors the evolution of Canada’s legal cannabis framework. Originally studying engineering at ÉTS, she recognized early the structural and economic shift taking place as legalization reshaped the market.
Rather than following a traditional trajectory, she pivoted intentionally toward cannabis — a sector still defining its operational standards and market identity.
“Sometimes growth begins with recognizing where the momentum is building, and choosing to be part of it.”
Working within a rapidly developing regulated market requires:
- Strategic adaptability
- Regulatory awareness
- Operational discipline
- Long-term perspective
Sabrina’s journey reflects the type of leadership required in emerging industries — the ability to build expertise while the system itself is evolving.
Women in Cannabis: Building the Future of a Regulated Market
The cannabis industry in Canada operates under strict federal oversight, requiring precision, compliance, and accountability across every department — from cultivation and environmental controls to product development and marketing.
The presence of women in cannabis leadership roles strengthens the industry by bringing diverse perspectives, scientific rigor, and collaborative problem-solving.
At Cannara, we recognize that sustainable growth in a regulated cannabis market depends on individuals who:
- Ask deeper questions
- Commit to responsible commercialization
- Build expertise across disciplines
- Embrace both science and strategy
“Leadership often begins with the courage to ask a different question — and to follow your gut.”
As the cannabis industry continues to mature in Canada, stories like Maria’s and Sabrina’s reflect the next phase of its development: intentional, educated, and accountable growth.
On International Women’s Day — and beyond — we celebrate the women contributing to the evolution of this industry through knowledge, resilience, and leadership.