Melissa Gibson is the co-owner and CEO of HERbal Woodstock, a women‑owned, community‑driven cannabis dispensary in the heart of Woodstock, NY. A longtime Hudson Valley advocate for local economies, and with a background in business development, she has spent her career helping small businesses thrive, creating effective brand strategy, and shaping regional initiatives around wellness, sustainability and women's empowerment. Her work across the Hudson Valley includes business consulting, nonprofit leadership, and public speaking — including her past role as a moderator for the Radio Woodstock Women’s Symposium.
After a personal journey to address multiple health issues with cannabis, Melissa founded Hemp & Humanity in 2016 to share her knowledge, create access to hemp-based products , destigmatize the plant, and promote the power of industrial hemp. With New York's Adult-Use cannabis legalization and the development of that industry sector over the past few years, Melissa pivoted once again, applying for and winning a retail license and opening HERbal Woodstock in April of 2025.
At HERbal Woodstock, Melissa and her business partner, Courtney Beaupré, draw on years of community‑driven experience to champion New York’s small cultivators and create a welcoming, educational space that reflects the heart of Woodstock.
After a personal journey to address multiple health issues with cannabis, Melissa founded Hemp & Humanity in 2016 to share her knowledge, create access to hemp-based products , destigmatize the plant, and promote the power of industrial hemp. With New York's Adult-Use cannabis legalization and the development of that industry sector over the past few years, Melissa pivoted once again, applying for and winning a retail license and opening HERbal Woodstock in April of 2025.
At HERbal Woodstock, Melissa and her business partner, Courtney Beaupré, draw on years of community‑driven experience to champion New York’s small cultivators and create a welcoming, educational space that reflects the heart of Woodstock.