Radicle Femmes Returns to Forge a More Inclusive Canadian Cannabis Sector

TORONTO, ON – February 18, 2026 – As the Canadian cannabis industry continues to navigate a complex and competitive landscape, a powerful force for community and collaboration is set to reconvene. Marigold PR, a women-run public relations firm, has announced the return of Radicle Femmes, its flagship gathering and Canada's largest event for women in cannabis. The third annual edition will take place on March 5, 2026, at Soluna Toronto, promising a day dedicated to empowerment, strategic growth, and relationship-building for women and allies across the sector.

The event's return comes at a pivotal time. While women have made significant inroads in the cannabis industry, progress has been uneven. Initial data from 2019 showed women holding nearly 37% of executive roles, a figure that encouragingly outpaced other industries. However, post-pandemic market shifts saw that number fall to just over 23% by 2022, highlighting the fragility of gains and the persistent need for dedicated support systems. Radicle Femmes aims to be that system, creating a space where candid conversations can flourish and opportunities can be forged.

Cultivating a Community Amidst Industry Headwinds

Since its inaugural event in 2024, Radicle Femmes has established itself as an essential date on the industry calendar. The platform has partnered with over 30 companies and drawn more than 800 attendees to its events nationwide, demonstrating a strong and growing appetite for spaces where women in cannabis can connect on a meaningful level. More than just a networking event, attendees consistently report tangible outcomes, from forging new business partnerships and securing career opportunities to expanding their professional support networks.

This focus on connection is by design. "This industry runs on relationships, and it’s important for women to have rooms where conversations lead to opportunity,” says Katie Pringle, CEO and Co-founder of Marigold PR. Her agency has been a pioneer in this space, hosting women-in-weed events since 2017. "As an agency, we’ve been hosting women-in-weed events since 2017, longer than anyone else in Canada. Through our work, we have created speaking opportunities and thought leadership platforms for hundreds of women, and every year, the feedback we get reinforces the value of building these spaces.”

The event's success underscores a critical need within an industry still grappling with its culture. Despite high entrepreneurial participation—with over 37% of self-employed Canadians being women—systemic barriers like unequal access to funding and a persistent wage gap, where Canadian women earn just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men, remain significant hurdles. Events like Radicle Femmes provide a crucial counter-narrative, fostering a collaborative environment to overcome these shared challenges.

Beyond Networking: Tackling Business Gaps Head-On

The 2026 edition of Radicle Femmes moves beyond general empowerment to offer a curriculum of practical, actionable business intelligence. The programming is tailored to address the specific pain points of entrepreneurs, retailers, and brand builders striving to create sustainable businesses in a saturated market.

One key panel, Building Long-Term Retail Strategy, will feature industry leaders including Andrea Feldman-Kohlver of CANNABIS XPRESS and Janet Ihm from the Ontario Cannabis Store. Panellists will dive into how retailers can transition from day-to-day survival to long-term profitability by leveraging service as a competitive advantage and making strategic operational choices. Another critical session, Closing the Gap Between Marketing and Sales, will bring together experts like Dayna Dubeau of SNDL and Robyn Rabinovich from Aurora Cannabis to discuss aligning teams for sustainable growth, a common challenge for companies of all sizes.

The day’s mid-day keynote will be delivered by Emma Andrews, CEO of Nextleaf Solutions, a respected voice who also contributed to the 2025 event. Her address is set to explore the power of mentorship, the importance of radical candour, and the impact of authentic leadership—themes that resonate deeply with the event's core mission.

The 'Give to Gain' Philosophy in Action

This year's event is explicitly aligned with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain. This philosophy posits that progress is not a zero-sum game and that by sharing time, knowledge, and opportunity, the entire ecosystem benefits. Radicle Femmes embodies this by creating a forum where established leaders and emerging entrepreneurs can learn from one another.

The commitment from major industry players underscores the theme's resonance. The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) returns as the VIP partner for a third consecutive year, a testament to the event's impact. “The OCS is proud to support the Radicle Femmes International Women’s Day event for the third year in a row,” says OCS President and CEO David Lobo. “Radicle Femmes’ mission to connect and empower women in cannabis aligns with the OCS’s commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive cannabis industry in Ontario. The entire cannabis sector benefits when women leaders gather to build professional networks, share knowledge and inspire each other to build a more vibrant, innovative marketplace.”

This top-level support, combined with partnerships from companies like CannSell, Tribal, and Versus, signals a broad recognition of the event's value in strengthening the industry's foundations.

Investing in the Future: The Role of the Bloom Collective

Putting the Give to Gain theme into direct action, Marigold PR has pledged to donate 10% of all ticket sales to the Bloom Collective. This non-profit organization is dedicated to advancing women's leadership in the cannabis sector through mentorship, education, and career development resources.

The Bloom Collective works to address the very issues Radicle Femmes highlights, providing the ongoing support structure necessary for women to thrive between large-scale events. By offering mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and leadership training, Bloom helps women navigate the industry's unique challenges and build sustainable careers. This donation transforms attendance at Radicle Femmes from a one-day investment in oneself into a contribution to the long-term health and equity of the entire community of women in cannabis.

By linking its success directly to a grassroots organization, Radicle Femmes is modeling a new kind of industry leadership—one rooted in collaboration, mutual support, and a shared vision for a more equitable and prosperous future. As women and their allies gather in Toronto this March, the focus will be not just on individual success, but on collectively raising the tide for everyone.