CannaDiva Conversations
"Real talk. Inspiring stories. Women shaping the future of plant medicine." 🌱✨
The CannaDiva is more than a brand—it’s a community where women support each other at every stage of their cannabis journey. Whether you're just getting started or a seasoned CannaDiva, we’re here to connect, share, and grow together.
Through CannaDiva Conversations, we bring honest, unfiltered discussions to the forefront, exploring the multiplicity of women’s roles and experiences in the cannabis space. These are the stories, challenges, and victories that shape the industry, drive the science, change policy, shift perceptions, and drive the movement forward.
Join the conversation. Be part of the change. 💚
CannaDiva Conversations
CannaDiva Conversations with Caroline Phillips
She was tired of watching overpriced, exclusive cannabis events take over D.C. — so she built something better. This is the story of National Cannabis Festival founder Caroline Phillips, and how her vision created a movement for cannabis, community, and policy.
Caroline joins Tanya to talk about building NCF from the ground up, surviving the chaos of festival production, fighting for equitable cannabis access in Washington D.C., and how persuasive writing helped her get there. From political resistance to joyful reunions, this episode dives into the real work behind one of the East Coast's most impactful cannabis events.
Thanks for watching and we hope you enjoyed this episode of CannaDiva Conversations with your host Tanya Osborne.
Tune into our next episode to connect with women making moves in the cannabis space.
Timestamps
00:07 Welcome back to CannaDiva Conversations – meet Caroline Phillips
02:00 From DC roots to policy advocacy – how Caroline got started
04:35 What made Caroline launch the National Cannabis Festival
06:52 NCF’s early days: No budget, but big vision
09:10 Why $700 Green Rush events sparked a revolution
12:20 Building a small, committed team that lasts
14:44 How NCF became a people’s event – and why that's powerful
16:55 The balancing act of music + cannabis + policy
19:25 DC’s legalization limbo & what’s coming next
22:31 4/20 Week, Policy Summit, and what’s new for 2024
26:02 The Indigenous Cannabis Policy Summit & storytelling work
28:25 Caroline's real job? She calls herself a storyteller
29:40 Ten years of NCF: no year is ever the same
32:17 The big move to July and how it’s shaking things up
35:04 Splash pads and cooling stations – prepping for summer heat
37:20 Live cannabis consumption at events: what's the right model?
40:01 DC’s medical program: small patient base, big legacy market
42:44 Advice for women entering cannabis – get paid to learn
45:10 Entrepreneurship vs. education: why budtending still matters
46:39 Where Caroline wants to take NCF next
48:03 Lightning Round ⚡
→ Favorite Book: White Teeth by Zadie Smith
→ One Law to Change: Federal legalization + prisoner release
→ Unwinding Ritual: A joint and a workout
→ Must-Have Entrepreneur Skill: Persuasive writing
→ Last Binge-Watch: Perfect Couple
50:02 Calendar Rundown – When to catch NCF & the Policy Summit
