Women-Led Blunt Brunch is Redefining Cannabis Networking

The very first national Blunt Brunch launched in 2021 after a year of
international isolation. Just 50 tickets. It sold out immediately,
confirming what founders Adelia Carrillo and Parisa Rad already suspected:
Women in cannabis craved connection that felt genuine, not transactional.

Today, the event draws more than 350 industry professionals to Las Vegas
each year during MJBizCon. Beyond Vegas, cities like Phoenix, Chicago,
Tucson, and Los Angeles have hosted the now-signature blend of elevated
brunch, candid conversations, and champagne-fueled collaboration.
The spark that started a movement
[image: Blunt Brunch founders Parisa Rad and Adelia Carillo speaking at a
podium during the 2024 national event, framed by pink and gold balloon
decor, highlighting leadership and community engagement.]Parisa Rad (left)
and Adelia Carillo.

“That 2021 launch day changed everything,” Carrillo said. “We left that
brunch feeling invigorated. The energy in the room was raw, real, and
uplifting. We had what we now call ‘blunt conversations,’ and it became
clear this wasn’t just helping us — it was helping every woman in that room
feel seen, heard, and supported. In that moment, we recognized we had
something truly special.”

The mission has only sharpened since. Along the way, Blunt Brunch evolved
from a networking event into infrastructure. Relationships born at the
events lead to business adventures. Partnerships are formed, agencies are
hired, roles are filled, funds are raised, and brands are launched.

“We’ve seen women find mentors, business partners, investors, and lifelong
friendships through Blunt Brunch,” Carrillo said. “But more importantly,
it’s helped shift the narrative around what leadership looks like in this
space. We’re showing that women can lead with compassion, creativity, and
collaboration and still drive serious business growth and innovation.”
Soft power, strong results

Blunt Brunch is known for its aesthetic — pearls, pink blazers, photo-ready
tablescapes — but beneath the playful exterior is a serious thesis:
leadership doesn’t have to mimic masculinity to be powerful. The brunches
have become a living example that femininity and authority can
unapologetically coexist. Showing up as one’s authentic self is part of the
strategy.

“Blunt Brunch started because Adelia and I were tired of walking into rooms
full of men and feeling like we had to prove ourselves over and over,” Rad
said. “We just wanted a space where women in cannabis could drop the armor
and connect like real humans, not just business cards.”

The brunches — which sometimes take the form of evening soirées — create a
ripple effect. Women leave inspired and supported, then take that energy
back to their teams, companies, and communities.

Carrillo and Rad are so focused on building that they sometimes forget to
pause and appreciate how far they’ve come. It’s only when they encounter
former attendees that they realize the full scope of Blunt Brunch’s impact.

“We’ll hear about someone who met their future business partner at a Blunt
Brunch, and together they launched a brand now on dispensary shelves across
multiple states,” Carrillo said. “Or another woman will share that a casual
conversation over brunch led to her landing a position that completely
changed the trajectory of her career.”
[image: blunt-brunch-women-cannabis-authentic-community]
Building a national network

Beyond business, Carrillo and Rad believe some of the most meaningful
outcomes have been the friendships. Women who met once at a Blunt Brunch
now travel together, support one another’s growth, and celebrate milestones
side by side.

“That’s the magic of it all,” Carrillo said. “These moments remind us why
we do what we do. Blunt Brunch isn’t just building professional
connections. It’s building community, sisterhood, and legacy.”

What started as a single table of women talking openly about their wins,
challenges, and ambitions has sparked a cultural shift on the distaff side
of the industry. The old model of transactional, competitive networking has
been replaced with something far more sustainable: women pouring into one
another.

As the community has grown, so has its impact. Success stories prove that
when women feel supported, they show up differently, lead differently, and
change companies from the inside.

“We’re redefining what leadership looks like,” Rad said. “It’s no longer
just suits and ties. It’s pearls, pink blazers, and power moves. We’re
proving that femininity and professionalism can coexist beautifully. The
ripple effect is real: Women who met at our events have since launched
companies, hired each other, and even invested in one another’s dreams.”
What’s next for Blunt Brunch

Today, Blunt Brunch is in what the founders call “a strategic scaling
phase.” The team is expanding to the East Coast, returning to Chicago, and
experimenting with co-ed formats and new city activations.

“We’re also deepening our partnerships with organizations like NECANN and
MJBizCon, as well as continuing to host meet-and-greets and Women’s Lounge
activations that bring our community together in meaningful ways during
major industry gatherings,” Carrillo said.

In addition to expanding face-to-face gatherings, a membership platform and
virtual community are under development. The platform will provide women
year-round access to resources and support, which are increasingly
important as the industry shifts and consolidates.

Rad, Carrillo, and their team are also developing event-production services
to help brands bring the signature Blunt Brunch vibe to their own
activations.

“Think ‘pearled-up and powerful’ energy — just bigger, bolder, and more
inclusive than ever,” Rad said.

From one brunch table to a national network, Blunt Brunch has become more
than an event series. It’s a reminder that in a fast-moving, often volatile
industry, women have earned more than a seat at the table. They’ve earned a
table of their own.
------------------------------
FAQ: What you need to know about Blunt Brunch

1. When and where is the next Blunt Brunch?

The next event will take place December 2, 2025, during MJBizCon in Las
Vegas. Register here.
2. What makes Blunt Brunch different from typical networking events?

The founders emphasize vulnerability, creativity, and femininity as
strengths, replacing transactional networking with genuine
community-building.
3. Who can attend Blunt Brunch events?

Blunt Brunch welcomes women working in the cannabis industry, from
founders and executives to marketers, cultivators, and emerging
professionals.
4. What cities host Blunt Brunch?

Blunt Brunch hosts events in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, Tucson, and
Los Angeles, with plans to expand to the East Coast.
5. How did Blunt Brunch start?

Founded by Adelia Carrillo and Parisa Rad in 2021, Blunt Brunch began as
a 50-person gathering for women seeking authentic connections in the
cannabis industry.
6. Are Blunt Brunch events only for women?

While focused on women in cannabis, the organization is experimenting
with co-ed formats as it continues to evolve.