Sarah Dobbin: portrait of a woman in the cannabis industry

Sarah Dobbin readily admits that she didn't know much about the’legal cannabis industry when she had her interview in 2014 at Aphria, a medical cannabis producer in Leamington, Ontario, Canada.

But today, the 26-year-old woman is a passionate advocate for the industry and its growth—both literally and figuratively.

«After learning how [cannabis] helps people, I wanted to get involved,» she said. «I immediately wanted to work here.».

«This product changes lives. Every day, we hear from our patients about how it has changed their lives for the better.».

Sarah Dobbin is one of the six women featured on the cover of the latest issue of Lift, a Canadian magazine about the cannabis industry. The cover highlights six women who play key roles in this industry.

Sarah, who studied psychology and marketing at the University of Guelph, says that her work for Aphria now mainly involves raising awareness among professionals. «I’m in charge of sharing our story with the public, clinics, and doctors. I focus on the educational aspect.».

When Sarah joined Aphria, the company had only 5 employees. Today, there are nearly 80.

The novelty of the field, its unconventional nature, and the need to wear many hats motivate her every day. That, in fact, is what she loves about her job.

But without any knowledge of cannabis culture—and without being a user herself—why did she apply in the first place?

«I knew that once I finished school, I wanted something different. I wanted to work in a field that made a difference.».

This impact quickly became apparent last April when the Canadian government announced its intention to legalize cannabis in the spring of 2017.

Sarah says she isn't surprised by the abundance of women in the cannabis industry. «There are many roles filled by women that are traditionally held by men in other industries.»

«There are more opportunities for women, and it’s a more progressive field. Women have been at the forefront of this industry from the very beginning. The first Compassion Club in Canada was founded by a woman.»

That said, clichés die hard. Things change, but the stereotypes associated with cannabis use remain. In fact, possession of cannabis without a medical prescription is still illegal in Canada.

Sarah says she’s constantly taking on the challenge of changing people’s minds. «I love talking about my work. I love talking about the industry. I like to educate people. My colleagues aren’t who you might expect. We have chemists, microbiologists, industry professionals, and people from the pharmaceutical industry. These are the people who run these companies and these sub-licensed manufacturers.».