Cannabis Isn't Just Masking Symptoms, It Can Mend Some Underlying Causes Of Disease, Says Mother, Entrepreneur And Activist

As James Brown once sang "This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing, not one little thing, without a woman or a girl." This song came out in 1966, some 11 years before the United National made International Women's Day a global holiday, even though the efforts to celebrate women happened in 1909. Fortunately, women have come a long way since then. We can see them paving their way successfully in almost every industry, even in cannabis.

One such powerful woman is Marlena Tucker-Fishman, a mother, entrepreneur, educator and activist. Together with her husband Noah, she co-founded Zenbarn Farms in 2020, creating a line of CBD products with hemp grown on their family farm. In 2022 when adult-use cannabis became legal in Vermont, they expanded with dispensary.

In 2015, Tucker-Fishman, Noah and his brother Ari founded Zenbarn Studio as a wellness center – offering yoga, mindfulness and meditation. The idea was to establish a community space to bring neighbors together that later became a popular destination for weddings, live music and various events. Then the project was expanded with hemp and cannabis products. Benzinga wanted to learn more so we reached out to Tucker-Fishman and had a lovely conversation.

"At Zenbarn Farms, we offer functional, needs-based products that are great for addressing issues like sleep disorders, anxiety, and chronic pain," Tucker-Fishman told Benzinga. "Our CBD shop and dispensary cater to all your wellness needs, providing a “full spectrum” of products containing CBD, CBN and THC. We also offer tools to help you learn, grow, and harness the medicinal benefits of cannabis." 

Courtesy photo

Cannabis = Abundance 

While Tucker-Fishman was first introduced to marijuana by her sister, the initial experience was rather comical and a bit jarring. "I felt giddy and remember putting my head out the window, feeling the wind on my face and a sense of freedom." Her motivation to join the space was inspired as her mother was dealing with chronic health issues and she wanted to find more holistic and alternative solutions to over-the-counter drugs, which had side effects. "My goal was to extend her life, not just mask the symptom," she says. 

At Zenbarn Farms there's also a yoga and wellness studio, and Tucker-Fishman explains that for some people marijuana is a daily practice that helps them build a practice of well-being. "Cannabis and yoga can work together to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and overall wellness." 

"Abundance," is the one word she would use to describe cannabis.

Tucker-Fishman believes that the most important medical potential of cannabis lies in the treatment of mental health issues and chronic illnesses. "Cannabis can ameliorate some of the underlying causes rather than simply masking the symptoms," she says. 

More Than Just A Businesses 

When there's passion and belief in what you do combined with hard work, success is usually imminent. "At Zenbarn Farms, we’re committed to being more than just a business, we strive to be a catalyst for positive social impact." 

Tucker-Fishman explains that the company is using its resources and expertise to promote diversity and foster inclusivity in the space. They are working on expanding this collaboration with a 501c3 – The Cannabis Generation Equity Fund. 

"In collaboration with the Pennywise Foundation, our nonprofit is dedicated to supporting BIPOC, special needs, and disenfranchised individuals in gaining access to the cannabis industry, both in Vermont and nationwide. We firmly believe that by creating and cultivating careers within the world of cannabis, we can drive meaningful change in our community." 

In November 2023, the company acquired a state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facility, making it a vertically integrated cannabis business. "We are thrilled to bring high-quality, living soil, and organic cannabis to the market this summer. This expansion will allow us to scale our operations and bring our high-quality cannabis products to a wider audience," she says. 

Badge Of Honor 

For Tucker-Fishman, being a female in a male-dominated industry feels "like both a badge of honor and a challenge. While it’s empowering to break barriers, the cannabis industry can sometimes feel like a boy’s club, which can be isolating." 

To all young women out there pursuing careers in a field they strongly believe in, she advises them to go for it and stay true to their vision. "Self-care is crucial for sustainability, as building a career is more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, but it’s important to maintain your vision and take things step by step," Tucker-Fishman said.

Featured image: Courtesy of Handatko via Shutterstock