Weedist Women: Rowshan Reordan of Green Leaf Lab

Weedists: Meet Rowshan Reordan

“Weedists are the people who are out there fighting the good fight and these are their stories.”

Green Leaf Lab celebrated its grand opening at Portland Hempstalk in 2011. I was fortunate enough to meet Rowshan Reordan several years prior to that. She came to the Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards as Paul Loney‘s date. Paul is one of the founders of Oregon NORML and is still their legal counsel. He had never brought a date, so I was very curious to meet her. She was friendly, funny and smart with an innate charm and confidence that I continue to admire. We clicked right away, and she has become such a great friend and also Paul’s wife.

Starting a medical cannabis testing lab is a daunting task, especially since this is a relatively new industry for Oregon. In the years it took before the lab opened, Rowshan was always focused on what she wanted to do. The lab opened and some weird stuff happened, and she adjusted. She fixed the problems and moved on without missing a beat. There are more challenges coming with the implementation of the new dispensary rules in March. Green Leaf Lab will get through them and continue to be the premiere lab for cannabis testing in Oregon.

Roshawn took some time to visit with me about her journey and the lab. Check it out:

Why did you start Green Leaf Lab?

I was inspired to start Green Leaf Lab because I believe in science and its ability to impart information in a formalized and objective format. I felt that bringing science to the cannabis community would help with education as well as legitimize cannabis.

I have been a proponent of legalization and cannabis since high school, throughout college and after grad school. The two major factors that inspired me during my formative years were reading the book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” and my experience with friends who were victims of Reagan’s anti-drug era in the 80’s. My belief in legalization for cannabis was strengthened after grad school when I saw people charged and convicted of cannabis related crimes being treated disparately compared to those who were charged with violent crimes or crimes that involved victims.

Please explain the process of your trademarked, “Cannalysis.tm”

Cannalysis is our trademarked name for the process of analytic testing of cannabis that uses trained chemists on standardized and peer reviewed analytic testing equipment. I am not sure if it is different than what would be found at other laboratories.

You have generously donated your services to cannabis strain evaluation events across the state. As a founding committee member of one of those events, I think that having each strain analyzed give us much more legitimacy. What are some other ways you have seen analysis help at these events in particular?

We have had many patients come up to us at events and thank us for helping further the science of cannabis. There are patients who specifically look for certain cannabinoids, specifically CBD, to help with their health issues. They appreciate having a process in which legitimate and scientifically verified test results can be used to help them learn about and have the option to choose medicine that is best for their health needs.

As an attorney, business woman and newlywed, you have a very full plate. What is your go-to to de-stress? How do you recharge to be ready for whatever lies ahead?

I enjoy going to yoga classes. I also enjoy taking walks and looking at architecture. I have an immense amount of energy; it is a part of who I am. I am energized just by being a part of this emerging industry and watching the laboratory grow and be successful.

Have you noticed advantages and disadvantages to being a woman-owned business? Please tell me what you have seen.

As the cannabis industry is male dominated, it is interesting being a female and having a testing laboratory. As with any other industry, I run into people who do not care about my gender and care about professionalism and quality of service. I also run into people who have a hard time treating women with respect. My job is to run the laboratory with integrity and professionalism regardless of how someone treats me.

What advice do you have for other women looking to start a canna-business? In light of the recent arrests of our friends in Southern Oregon, how can ganja-preneurs protect themselves to avoid arrest?

I think it would help legitimize and diversify the cannabis industry to have more women owned businesses. As this industry grows and becomes more main stream, it will become similar to other industries. Those with the best presentation and customer service will succeed.

As prohibition comes to an end, it is easy to see that Green Leaf Labs will be on the forefront of the industry. How have you planned for the potential growth? How will you serve the home grower as well as the larger producers once we tax and regulate? What’s the big dream?

As with any new businesses and new industry there is always room for growth. We have purchased new equipment to offer our customers a wide variety of analytical laboratory services. As we grow, we will continue to add to our already diverse instrumentation. Our goal is to treat both our home growers and large producers with integrity and respect. We believe in excellent customer service regardless of how much a customer utilizes our services.

You are such a staunch supporter of the medical cannabis community here in Oregon. What inspired you to get so involved in what many feel is a “fringe” issue?

I believe that people should have the right to choose the medicine they consume. I also believe that they should have the right to grow that medicine instead of being forced to purchase it from a pharmacy. While cannabis may be considered a “fringe” issue, medicinal herbs have been used by humans for centuries. I do not believe that cannabis should be treated differently. I also believe that adding the additional element of science and third party analytical testing to the cannabis industry can only help it become more professional and legitimate in the eyes of the public.

What part do you see women play as cannabis prohibition draws its last gasps? And, what part do you see us taking on once it’s over?

We are wives, partners, mothers, daughters. Our power to impact society is huge. We can support an issue and empower it to succeed. We also have the ability to hinder an issue we do not believe in. By choosing to educate ourselves about cannabis and the positive impact it can have on those that are close and dear to us, we can help guide the growth of this industry to become something that we believe in and can stand behind. We can choose to support locally owned small businesses. We can choose to support the mom and pop grower instead of the huge corporate grower. We can choose to support women owned businesses. We have the power. It is our job to embrace it and take action.