March carries two meaningful celebrations in International Women’s Day March 8th and St. Patrick’s Day March 17th. While one honors global progress and the other celebrates heritage and community, both share something essential: resilience, leadership, and the power of collective strength. In cannabis, those themes matter deeply.
The cannabis industry is still young. It is still evolving. And while historically male-dominated industries have shaped many traditional retail models, cannabis has become one of the few modern industries where women are not just participants, they are builders.
At Black Bear Dispensary, we see that leadership every single day.
The Role of Women in Cannabis
Nationally, women hold a higher percentage of executive roles in cannabis compared to many other industries. From cultivation and compliance to retail operations and community outreach, women have helped shape cannabis into a professional, regulated, patient-focused market. But statistics only tell part of the story.
The real impact shows up in:
- Store culture
- Team morale
- Customer education
- Operational precision
- Community relationships
Cannabis is not just a product movement, it’s education, trust, and care. And those elements thrive under thoughtful leadership.
Women Leading at Black Bear Dispensary
Black Bear’s success is not accidental. It is built by people who lead with clarity, accountability, and heart.
Carrie Worsk
Co-Founder
Carrie Worsk has spent more than a decade in the cannabis industry, working across retail, wholesale, and education. As Co-Founder of Black Bear Dispensary, she plays a hands-on role in shaping the customer experience, guiding community education efforts, and helping define the brand’s voice and digital presence.
She believes women bring strength, perspective, and compassion to leadership — especially in emerging industries like cannabis. What means the most to her is providing a service she genuinely believes improves the lives of the customers Black Bear is fortunate to serve and contributes to a better, more thoughtful industry.
Rebekah Kahl
Purchasing Manager
Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Rebekah is proud to serve the same communities she grew up in. She began her journey at Black Bear Dispensary as a budtender, learning the industry from the ground up and building strong relationships with customers along the way.
After managing the Clarion location, she stepped into her current role as Purchasing Manager, where she now oversees product ordering for all Pennsylvania Black Bear locations. If it’s on the shelves, there’s a good chance she played a role in bringing it there.
Rebekah is passionate about the cannabis industry and the ways it can support people in their everyday lives. Her favorite part of working at Black Bear is the opportunity to grow alongside the company while helping customers feel their best. Western Pennsylvania roots, a heart for helping people, and a strong appreciation for organization define her approach to the role.
Jennifer Sparks
Compliance Director / Dispensary Manager
Jennifer combines operational expertise with a deep commitment to integrity and excellence. She brings thoughtful leadership and practical strategy to industries where trust, structure, and accountability matter most.
Her passion for the cannabis and hemp industry is deeply personal. After witnessing the meaningful impact these products had on her father during a challenging health journey, she developed a strong belief in the importance of education, responsible access, and regulatory integrity. That experience continues to fuel her commitment to operating with transparency, compassion, and care.
At Black Bear, Jennifer is proud to be part of a bold, authentic, and community-driven organization. She focuses on developing practical processes that strengthen team performance while elevating the customer experience. As a woman in leadership, she is committed to fostering a culture where strength, intelligence, and empathy coexist — and where women confidently lead and help shape the future of the industry.
Our Commitment to Equity in Cannabis
The cannabis industry exists today because of decades of advocacy often led by communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. That history matters.
At Black Bear, equity and equality are not seasonal messaging points. They are ongoing commitments:
- Creating leadership pathways for women
- Supporting inclusive hiring practices
- Maintaining fair workplace standards
- Encouraging collaboration within the broader cannabis community
We believe growth is stronger when it is shared, and we believe that supporting women in cannabis strengthens the entire industry.
A Culture Rooted in Resilience
St. Patrick’s Day is often associated with luck. But anyone who works in cannabis knows success is not about luck, it is about discipline, adaptability, and leadership.
The women at Black Bear embody that resilience every day.
They navigate compliance landscapes, retail operations, supply chain realities, and team dynamics, all while building an environment where customers feel informed and comfortable. That is not luck. That is leadership.
Looking Ahead
As cannabis continues to mature, the future will belong to companies that invest in people as much as product. At Black Bear Dispensary, we are proud that women are not just part of our story — they are central to it. This March, we celebrate their leadership. And every month, we continue building alongside it.
Across our stores and operations, there are many women whose work supports the daily success and growth of Black Bear. From budtenders and managers to operational and administrative roles, their professionalism, knowledge, and care shape the experience our customers have every day. Their dedication strengthens our teams, our culture, and our ability to serve the communities where we operate.
Black Bear Dispensary is grateful for the leadership, perspective, and commitment these women bring to the organization. Their contributions are not only valued — they are essential.