"I’m a Georgia peach through and through, and that’s south side College Park to be exact! Growing up I was very sheltered and raised as a Jehovah’s Witness so I didn’t even think about cannabis let alone try it.  I also didn’t really hang around kids that smoked, so it wasn’t something I was exposed to. I was told was that it was bad for you, that it would negatively affect brain cells, and that you couldn’t be successful using it. As an adult I’ve learned that not only were those things not true, but I was being fed misinformation the whole time I was growing up!” 

I am a Marine Corps veteran. If certain decision-makers didn’t lie about the benefits of medical cannabis, the Veteran’s Administration would probably be paying for my medicine, and I would be recognized as a patient in every state or country that I visit. America’s drug policies are draconian and based on lies. President Nixon’s aide, John Ehrlichman, confessed that the War On Drugs was intended to damage people of color. Now, you have all these states that say cannabis is “essential medicine” and “essential business,” but you literally have people in prison serving ridiculous sentences instead of being acknowledged as pioneers in this industry. It doesn’t make sense! 

“America’s drug policies are draconian and based on lies… Now, you have all these states that say cannabis is ‘essential medicine’ and ‘essential business,’ but you literally have people in prison serving ridiculous sentences instead of being acknowledged as pioneers in this industry.”

The moment I decided to get involved in the industry was after attending a cannabis conference in Las Vegas. There were 3,500 people in attendance, but only 6 black people at the entire conference. To my surprise, the audience was almost all older white people. I realized there had to be some big opportunities in cannabis and I wanted to learn more.

I started to do research and the more I learned the more involved I wanted to be. Not just because it was interesting, but because I realized how much of my overall health and well-being depended on me learning about this plant. Then when I realized how many industries are being disrupted by cannabis, I immediately recognized the wealth opportunities, and wanted to get involved on the business side. 

The very first cannabis job I applied for I got hired, and it was the best entry into the industry I could possibly have. I met a serial entrepreneur couple who became my mentors and showed me how to get my business started and they guided me along the way. After I left the company and went on my own I found mentors to guide me in each area of my life - heath, wealth, love, and attaining true happiness. I have some of the realist allies, friends and mentors in this industry like Keiko Beatie (Coral Cove Cannabis), Dr. Chanda Macias (Women Grow), Gia Moron (Women Grow), and Dasheeda Dawson (The Weed Head). I also have my veteran buddies Leo Bridgewater, Ryan Miller, and Colin Wells, just to name a few.

I’ve learned so much in the past few years and even with victories, it’s hard not to think about the things I wish I could change. If I was to go back in time four years, I remember my business coach telling me that I should change my company name and add an “e” on “Jayn” for SEO (search engine optimization) purposes. I didn’t know what SEO was at the time, and instead of doing research I ignored the advice. Looking back, I wish I’d listened to my coach since everyone mis-spells my company name. The moral of the story is if you’re going to hire a professional, you should take their advice.

“Big companies are equipped with millions  of dollars from investors, so they can hire a team, budget for marketing, give out samples, host events all at the same time. It’s frustrating to not be able to move as fast, but every time I think about getting a “regular” job, or quitting I just can’t see that being a better alternative.”

It is challenging for me to acknowledge that my consulting and travel business, Jayn Green, is nowhere near where I thought it would be five years ago. I have so many ideas and there are times that I wish I had unlimited resources to try and fail and try again, like I see other brands do. Big companies are equipped with millions  of dollars from investors, so they can hire a team, budget for marketing, give out samples, host events all at the same time. It’s frustrating to not be able to move as fast, but every time I think about getting a “regular” job, or quitting I just can’t see that being a better alternative. I truly love this plant, and the thrill of knowing I’m on the right side of history when so many before me have been wrong.

Even with all the challenges, my proudest moments working in this industry continue to be the opportunities afforded to me just because I’m open and honest about my love for cannabis. I flew first class to Spain just to put on an evening gown and go to a cannabis awards show, and now I am an international speaker, award winner, and best selling author all because of cannabis. That’s crazy to me. I can’t believe the career I’ve had so far and the major plans I have for it in the future!

About Tanganyika “Tangy” Daniel:

Tangy is a national educator on medical cannabis and an expert in international cannabis tourism. She is a contributing author to “Blind Spot: What the Eyes Didn’t See,” is an international public speaker, best-selling author and brand consultant. Tangy is also a Marine Corps veteran and founder of the nonprofit Marine Qweenz, an organization whose mission is to educate, empower and inspire military veterans suffering from the residuals of service.