09/19/2019
Meet the Mother's High Tea® Committee:
Melanie Rose Rodgers
As a lifelong cannabis enthusiast, Melanie Rose Rodgers became involved in Denver’s medical cannabis grassroots movement in 2009 and witnessed firsthand the innovation, patient testimony, and overall economic growth accompanying the budding cannabis industry. Fascinated by the natural medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant, and disillusioned with the private healthcare industry as a marketer for Cigna Healthcare, Melanie left the corporate world for a career in cannabis. In 2014, she landed a role at a cannabis branding agency as the Director of New Business Development and was instrumental in pitching, servicing and branding a new client account, Caliva. In 2016, Business Insider named Caliva the #1 Dispensary in the US. After a few years of various marketing and business development roles with a handful of cannabis nonprofits, Melanie started marketing consulting and organizing events and fundraisers through a company of her own - Influential X.
Founded in 2017, Influential X combines Melanie’s natural inclination to drive business growth using her creativity, experience and marketing expertise to produce educational experiences and impactful marketing campaigns. With Influential X, she has found that curating and promoting experiences focused on education, advocacy, and social responsibility culminates in a positively engaged community in action. In December 2017, Melanie was recognized among her peers and nominated for ‘Advocate of the Year’ in the 2017 Cannabis Business Awards along with notable names such as Joe Rogan and Montel Williams. In October 2018, Melanie founded Safe Access Colorado, a Colorado chapter of Americans for Safe Access, the largest national membership organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research with over 100,000 active members in all 50 states. Safe Access Colorado was awarded the 2019 ASA Chapter of the Year Award in Washington DC. Melanie’s leadership has helped increase access to medical cannabis to Coloradoans through the passing of the autism bill and the prescription of opiates bill, allowing doctors and nurse practitioners to recommend medical cannabis for when an opioid is prescribed.
Today, Melanie spends her time as a marketing consultant, cannabis educator and plant medicine advocate. She helps businesses navigate the complex industry and connects businesses with valuable insights gained through years of industry experience. You can find Melanie educating others locally at the State Capitol and nationally at events advocating for patients rights and access to natural therapeutics. In January 2019, Melanie was one of the six residents to petition Denver City Council to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in Denver. She was instrumental with the passing of Initiative 301 Campaign and hosted two educational events leading up to Denver’s historic May 2019 election, successfully becoming the first city in the US to decriminalize personal possession and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms. Melanie’s mission is to empower others to take their health back and live a purposeful life using natural forms of healing and plant medicine. Her motto is: You too can be an advocate for plant medicine and create the change you want to see in the world!