BUSINESS
FROM BUDS TO BRANDS: HIGHER LEARNING WITH ATTORNEY JESSICA F GONZALEZ. Tell us a little about yourself and your journey into working in the cannabis space. Is there a specific impact you want to make in the cannabis industry? I’m
an
Ecuadorian
immigrant
raised in Jersey City Heights. I am an attorney, advocate, adjunct professor, and consultant. I’ve been in the cannabis industry for over six years. I started in cannabis in late 2017, when the governor of New Jersey ran on a campaign to legalize cannabis. As
a
longtime
consumer
of
cannabis, I was obviously excited and decided to get involved. I educated myself on the history of cannabis, the laws and regulations from other states, and the challenges Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities were facing as a result of cannabis prohibition.
Leveraging
acumen,
began
I
my
advocating
legal for
legalization and lowering barriers of entry while at the same time assisting
I deeply respect. At the same time,
policy solutions for the betterment of
cannabis
its
the community as a whole.
brands
with
trademark
criminalization
impacted
the
protection. Six years later, I’ve had
communities I grew up in. Knowing
As a long-time supporter of the
the honor of playing a hand in shaping
its complex racial history, I consider
cannabis industry, what is your latest
legislation and regulations in New
myself an advocate first and an
project? How did it come about, and
Jersey and I’ve advised on equity
attorney second. Whether it be a
why should people/operators get
efforts in multiple states.
trademark client or an applicant
excited for it?
applying for a state license, I lead How has your personal experience with
34
cannabis
influenced
Keeping me busy these days is
with a community focused vision.
the
New
Jersey
Business
Action
your
I learn from my clients challenges,
Center Cannabis Training Academy
approach to practicing cannabis law?
their mistakes, and their heartache,
(NJBAC CTA). In December 2022, I
I am grateful to work with a plant
and I transmute that information into
was awarded the first state contract
CA N N AC U R I O U S M AG.C O M
