Women Grow, the acclaimed international cannabis organization, has just announced a major transition in leadership, with Maryland-based attorney Leah Heise taking over as CEO. 

Heise is a former Enforcement Attorney with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,with extensive experience navigating the complex waters of ever-evolving regulations. She joined Women Grow two years ago, when her interest peaked at the passage of Maryland's medical marijuana law and has immersed herself in the cannabis industry. Last year she formed the Chesapeake Integrated Health Institute and created a management team to apply for licenses to grow, process, and distribute cannabis as part of Maryland’s burgeoning industry. 

In accepting the position, Heise recognized her predecessors at Women Grow, co-founders Jazmin Hupp and Jane West. “Jazmin and Jane built an incredible platform for diverse leaders to succeed in the nascent cannabis industry,” she said. “It is an honor to have this chance to expand on their vision and strengthen Women Grow’s position as a leader in the international cannabis industry.”

Women Grow was founded in 2014 by Hupp and West, beginning with just a single chapter in Denver, Colo. In the years since, it has become the largest national event organization for women (and men) in the cannabis industry, with more than 15,000 event attendees and over 75,000 Women Grow followers. 

Hupp has been serving as the group’s CEO for the past two years, with support from West as National Events Director. Both founders will continue to be involved in the future of the organization and in the cannabis industry.