“My mission has always been to change perspectives through the education of plant wellness,” says Sanja Ganja. The educator, who calls herself “Marilyn Monroe for the 21st Century,” has worked in the cannabis space for over 14 years, building dispensaries from seed to sale and maximizing brands like Tommy Chong. Today she is the Director of Marketing and Operations Manager for marketing and branding agency The High Country Girls (AKA THC Girls) and the digital marketing tool The Highly Connected App. She also continues to host The Sanja Ganja Show on all major streaming platforms and sits on multiple company boards.
How Does Sanja Ganja Stay Strong Working In The Cannabis Industry?
“I came into the cannabis space accidentally right out of high school,” Sanja states. Working her way up corporate ladders, she developed an autoimmune disease, learning to cure herself with plant medicines, especially cannabis. “I believe cannabis is the key to our very existence.”
“You need to be a warrior to live in this space,” she advises. “Protect your energy and keep your passion strong because too many hard working humans get chewed up and burnt out. But no matter how cool or intense the industry gets… We can't forget the medical benefits and that you are changing the world, one plant at a time.”
What Has Sanja Ganja Learned In Caring For Medical Cannabis Patients?
Sanja believes that passion carries you far in the cannabis industry, even when being ignored, judged, and underpaid. She acknowledges that her contributions in the sector have led to profit for many companies, even if not for her personally. But she asserts, “My greatest accomplishment has nothing to do with profitability, but rather the longevity of life. I have given many children Rick Simpson Oil when they had only months to live. While managing a dispensary in Denver, I was able to touch hundreds of lives. [One patient], Miracle, was able to live an extra year when she was told she had no time at all. I also had an older [man who] desperately wanted his wife to get her memory back. After a year of working on different dosages and strains, she regained her consciousness completely… Giving patients recommendations for medicine and food has enabled me to save and prolong lives, which lives in my heart every day.”
What Is Sanja Ganja's Vision For The Future Of The Cannabis Space?
Her perfect vision for the future has society implementing cannabis into all major decision-making. “I always say on my show to hotbox the White House, and I mean it quite literally. Take a week to get all the world leaders together for a big smoke session and find resolution. Once medicated, perspectives align - growth can happen. Once corporations remove all restrictions on cannabis, the economy opens and thrives, small businesses can become king, and the medical benefits are experimented with [and publicly] documented to cure diseases.”
A social smoker, Sanja loves using concentrates and prefers old-school strains including Golden Goat, Blue Dream, and Cheese. She uses THC tinctures daily as a vitamin, and gives her dog CBD tinctures as well.
What Does Sanja Ganja Think About Being A Woman In Cannabis?
Part of Sanja’s mission is also to support other women in cannabis. She encourages women to grow together rather than compete. “Women have done such an amazing job making an impact,” she enthuses. Our nurturing nature belongs in this industry! I have grown up in the industry just as cannabis has grown within the U.S. - and women have always been involved. I have always worked hard for my titles, earned them and got them! We have a huge increase in our recognition and ownership! I will always support every human who wants to do anything impactful with the plant.”
For more about Sanja, The THC Girls and The Highly Connected App, visit thehighcountrygirls.com or follow @thehighcountrygirls @thehighlyconnected and @iamsanjaganja on Instagram.
*A version of this article originally appeared in Honeysuckle's 18th print edition. Click here to order and choose your element - Fire with Bun B or Ice with Queen P!
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Featured image: Sanja Ganja (C) Alex Vi$ion @madlimp
