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Pride, Protest, and Plant Medicine: How the LGBTQ+ Movement Shaped the Cannabis Industry
Each June, Pride Month offers a vital opportunity to reflect on legacies of resistance, resilience, and revolutionary change. Among these stories lies a deeply intertwined history: the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the parallel push for medical cannabis legalization. These movements are not separate; they are bound by shared values of bodily autonomy, social justice, and compassionate care.
From Stonewall to Cannabis Compassion – The movement for medical cannabis is rooted in the fierce advocacy of LGBTQ+ activists. The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement ignited during the Stonewall Riots of 1969, where trans and queer individuals—such as Marsha P. Johnson and Stormé DeLarverie—stood up to police brutality in New York City (Bellware, 2019). Just as the Stonewall protests catalyzed queer liberation, it was also a time of increasing federal control over substances like cannabis. That same year, President Nixon began the groundwork for the Controlled Substances Act, classifying cannabis as a Schedule I drug (Dickinson, 2016).
What does Queer Mean Anyways? I digress, but language holds immense significance. In the context of the LGBTQ+ movement, “queer” is a multifaceted term that has evolved significantly over time. It can refer to a sexual orientation, gender identity, or a broader political and cultural identity that challenges normative expectations of sexuality and gender. “Queer” in the LGBTQ+ movement is an inclusive, dynamic term that acknowledges the spectrum of sexual and gender diversity. It is often used to resist normative definitions and advocate for fluid, intersectional, and liberated expressions of identity.
Definition and Usage of “Queer” in the LGBTQ+ Movement
Historical Context: Originally, “queer” was a pejorative term used to insult people who were perceived to deviate from heterosexual and cisgender norms. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, LGBTQ+ activists reclaimed the word as a form of empowerment, resistance, and solidarity (Jagose, 1996).
Contemporary Meaning: Umbrella Term: Today, “queer” is commonly used as an umbrella term that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, intersex, and other non-heteronormative or non-cisnormative identities (GLAAD, 2022).
Fluid Identity: It can represent individuals who do not conform to rigid categories of gender or sexual orientation, such as someone who identifies as genderfluid, pansexual, or demisexual.
Political Identity: For many, the term “queer” embodies more than identity—it represents a bold critique of heteronormativity, patriarchy, and traditional assimilationist approaches, reflecting a commitment to radical, transformative politics.(Warner, 1993).
Academic & Activist Usage: In Queer Theory, the term emphasizes deconstructing traditional binaries like male/female or gay/straight. Scholars use “queer” to explore how identities are socially constructed and performative (Butler, 1990). Activist groups like Queer Nation in the 1990s used the term to demand visibility and rights in a direct, unapologetic way, turning it into a badge of resistance (Shepard & Hayduk, 2002).
Controversies and Cautions: While empowering to many, not all LGBTQ+ individuals feel comfortable with the term “queer” due to its historical use as a slur, especially among older generations or those from conservative backgrounds (Russell et al., 2011). Cultural and geographic context matters—acceptance of the term varies globally and even regionally.
From Stonewall to Cannabis Compassion – As the AIDS epidemic ravaged the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s, cannabis became more than a symbol of protest—it became a lifeline. With the federal government largely ignoring the HIV/AIDS crisis, patients turned to cannabis to alleviate symptoms like wasting syndrome, nausea, and pain. (Volz, A. 2020)
Activists like Dennis Peron, a gay Vietnam veteran, and Mary “Brownie Mary” Rathbun, an ally and medical cannabis baker, distributed cannabis in defiance of the law. Brownie Mary is quoted as saying, “I bake the world a better place one brownie at a time!” Their collective efforts helped catalyze California’s Proposition 215 (The Compassionate Use Act) in 1996—the first law to legalize medical cannabis in the United States. (Margolin, 2019)
LGBTQ+ Health Disparities and the Ongoing Role of Cannabis – LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face disproportionate rates of chronic illness, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and barriers to care, particularly for transgender and BIPOC populations (Gonzalez et al., 2015; National LGBT Cancer Network, 2021). Many in this community turn to cannabis to manage symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, and hormonal dysregulation—often as a self-directed and safer alternative to pharmaceuticals (Moltke & Hindocha, 2021).
As of 2024, approximately 1 in 5 cannabis consumers identifies as LGBTQ+, far outpacing the general population (Headset, 2023). Despite this, less than 5% of cannabis businesses are LGBTQ-owned, and even fewer are owned by queer women, nurses, or people of color.
Leading With Purpose: LGBTQ-Friendly & Queer-Owned Hemp Brands – Supporting LGBTQ+ representation in the cannabis industry starts with choosing businesses that embody inclusivity in both ownership and culture. One standout in the hemp market is Bloom Hemp CBD—a woman-owned, nurse-led, and LGBTQ-operated wellness brand. Elisabeth & Sherri Mack have ensured the brand is rooted in clinical expertise, holistic healing, and a commitment to social equity. Bloom Hemp CBD sets a powerful example of values-driven leadership in the industry by blending evidence-based cannabinoid therapies with heart-centered education and community care. Bloom Hemp not only offers third-party tested, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products, but also champions nurse advocacy, queer visibility, and trauma-informed access to plant medicine.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive and Queer-Owned Cannabis Brands – As the cannabis industry expands, representation and inclusion remain vital. The following cannabis companies exemplify LGBTQ+ leadership, allyship, and community reinvestment—honoring the activist roots of medical cannabis while building equity in the modern market. Other LGBTQ+ affirming cannabis brands include:
Peak Extracts, founded in 2014 by Katie Stem and Kate Black in Portland, Oregon, is a woman- and LGBTQ-owned cannabis brand. Known for its terpene-rich, strain-specific products, the company offers chocolates, tinctures, and topicals with a science-driven focus on patient well-being and inclusive branding. (Leafwell, 2023; News Is Out, 2024).
Green Qween, a queer-led dispensary in Los Angeles, reinvests profits into the DTLA Proud Community Center to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC initiatives. Co-founded by Andrés Rigal and Taylor Bazley, it celebrates inclusivity, empowerment, and social equity. (Green Qween)
Calexo is a California-based queer-owned company creating sparkling THC and CBD-infused beverages. Focused on low-dose, alcohol-free options, they promote social wellness while celebrating artistry, diversity, and innovation. (Calexo; Cool Hunting, 2020).
Her Highness NYC is a female-founded luxury cannabis brand focused on women’s empowerment and inclusivity. While not queer-owned, the brand actively supports LGBTQ+ rights and promotes allyship through campaigns that uplift marginalized communities. Their thoughtfully crafted CBD and THC products are designed with women in mind, reflecting their commitment to equity and inclusivity. (Her Highness NYC; Torrey Holistics)
The Floret Coalition is a group of cannabis companies promoting equity and social justice through monthly donations to organizations led by Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities. Their goal is to drive equity, support community reinvestment, and ensure accountability in the cannabis industry. (Broccoli, n.d.; The Kannabis Library, n.d.).
Advocacy Through Action – This Pride Month, let’s remember that cannabis legalization wasn’t born in boardrooms—it was demanded in the streets and clinics by queer activists who refused to be erased. As cannabis becomes more commercial, honoring its LGBTQ+ roots means:
Supporting queer-owned and LGBTQ-friendly brands like Bloom Hemp CBD
Demanding equity in licensing and capital access
Ending discriminatory cannabis-related employment and housing policies
Expanding medical access for marginalized communities
Final Reflection – Cannabis reform owes its deepest gratitude to LGBTQ+ pioneers who challenged stigma, nursed the dying, and defied unjust laws. As we celebrate Pride, let us also lift up the voices of those still facing systemic barriers. Whether you’re a patient, provider, or industry professional, know this: progress comes from protest—and healing grows in inclusive soil.
A heartfelt thank you to the Legacy Cannabis Community in Massachusetts, where my journey as a cannabis nurse first began. This video, recorded at HempFest 2021, captures my gratitude for the underground legacy medical communities who have shared their invaluable knowledge and insights about cannabis. I owe so much of what I know to their guidance and expertise.
National Research Council (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana. (1999). Marijuana and AIDS. In Marijuana and medicine: Assessing the science base. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224400/
News Is Out. (2024, June 15). Peak Extracts: A queer-owned cannabis brand making waves. https://newsisout.com/peak-extracts-queer-owned-cannabis-brand
