Galloway, N.J. — Rob Mejia has been at the forefront of New Jersey’s cannabis industry evolution from the onset. He has authored publications on the subject, presented at conferences and helped put Stockton on the map during an exciting time in the state.

The adjunct professor of Hemp & Cannabis Business Management can now add that he owns not one, but three trademarks in the industry, and launched a “pre-roll with a purpose.”  The pre-roll, called “Roll Pride,” has a deeper-rooted meaning than just something consumers can buy and smoke. Mejia’s sons identify as both gay and queer, which helped shape Roll Pride’s purpose: having a portion of proceeds benefit a local organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community.

In an interview, Mejia shares the process of developing his own trademarks and products, why creating something community-focused matters and how Stockton students may benefit from another new endeavor, Garden State OG.

 

You have been a passionate innovator in the cannabis field, pun intended, through your publications, teaching and conference presentations. How was the experience of creating and launching an actual cannabis product different from your previous work in the industry? Was this something you had always hoped to do?

I have been working on plans to commercialize my cannabis trademarks for years! So far, I have three cannabis trademarks: Our Community Harvest: A Cannabis Education Company, Roll Pride and Garden State OG.

One of the tricky parts about trademarking names in cannabis is that you cannot trademark an actual cannabis product because it is federally illegal. This means you have to choose another avenue of commerce to establish the trademark while anticipating national legalization. I chose the categories of education, apparel, smoking accessories and cultivation materials because they match the intention of the respective brands.

I would say the biggest difference is working to place your products in dispensaries, which takes product development, sales efforts and promotional follow-up. I have put many other products on the market in the past including books, apparel, wallpaper, plush toys and furniture so I do have experience in this arena.

 

Giving back is a common thread in both Roll Pride and Garden State OG. Why is supporting the LGBTQ+ community and Stockton students important to you?

Giving back is a key part of Roll Pride’s mission. We donate 10% of proceeds to a local organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community in very practical, meaningful ways, including youth homelessness, financial assistance, legal advocacy, medical support and even things like haircuts and resume writing.

In particular, when I learned about how many young people are kicked out of their homes when they come out, I thought, “I have to do something about LGBTQ+ homelessness.” It hurt me to think that a parent or guardian wouldn’t accept a person as they are. I can’t imagine my children without a home, and this is a small way of making a difference.

The Garden State OG Scholarship came from wanting to give back to the students I teach. I know that for some students, a little financial help can make a big difference. Scholarship recipients are often first-generation students, and let’s not forget that they are brave enough to study cannabis in college. Regrettably, there is still stigma regarding the cannabis industry, so any help I can send to my students could make a difference. The goal is to raise $25,000 to establish an endowed scholarship that will continue supporting Stockton students long after I leave the university.

 

Three Stockton cannabis studies graduates now work at Red Oak Dispensary in Absecon, where Roll Pride is being sold. What does it mean to see graduates of the program building careers in the industry?

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching as a cannabis professor is to see these students work hard, figure out where they fit in the industry, and then build careers here in New Jersey. To see three Stockton graduates working at Red Oak, and to have Roll Pride on the shelves where they work, is pretty special. It brings everything full circle for me.

 

How do experiences like launching a product, navigating regulations and working with dispensaries influence what you bring back to your students in the classroom?

All these activities make what we talk about in the classroom come alive. When I was developing my own brands, I talked about my plans with my students. Then they got to watch those plans unfold in real time. They saw the challenges, the regulatory issues, the decisions I had to make and, ultimately, the results. I think that’s one of the best things I can bring to the classroom: students aren’t just hearing about the industry from a textbook. They’re seeing it happen.

 

Stockton’s cannabis studies offerings have continued to grow from a minor into the Bachelor of Science in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management. What do you think distinguishes Stockton’s approach to preparing students for this evolving industry?

At Stockton, we don’t just talk about the cannabis industry. We prepare them to work in the industry. Students learn about the science, history, business, regulations and social issues surrounding cannabis, but they also hear directly from people working in the field.

Most of the adjuncts who teach in the cannabis department at Stockton also work in the industry. From consultants to cultivators to community organizers, we show students what the industry really looks like and help them understand where they can fit in.

Reported by Mandee McCullough

Photos submitted