Meet JM

We recently connected with JM and have shared our conversation below.

Hi JM, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience is rooted in a few places: my cultural heritage, my military background, and my mission-driven purpose. As an Afro-Latina from the Caribbean and a U.S. Navy veteran, I was raised in an environment where adaptability, perseverance, and strength were non-negotiable. The women in my family are warriors in their own right, bold, resourceful, and unshakeable, so I carry that energy with me.

But more than anything, my resilience comes from purpose. As an advocate, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, I’ve had to constantly navigate spaces where people of my background weren’t always expected to lead. That drives me. The communities I represent deserve a seat at the table and to be seen in their full power. So when challenges hit…and they do, I remind myself who I am, who I’m doing this for, and why quitting is not an option.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I wear many hats: entrepreneur, filmmaker, author, cannabis advocate, veteran. But at the heart of it all, I’m a storyteller. I use every platform available to me—film, books, business, advocacy—to elevate voices that are often overlooked. Whether I’m writing about the cannabis industry, directing a documentary, or advocating for compassionate access to plant medicine through Ryan’s Law, everything I do is about shifting narratives and creating space for equity and healing.

Professionally, I’m focused on a few powerful projects right now. I recently released my book Green Renaissance, which explores how cannabis is fueling a cultural and economic rebirth at a global scale. I’m also working on a docu-series titled Buzz Kill, which unpacks the struggles of legal cannabis operators in the US, using the rise and fall of notorious cannabis companies as a lens to explore broader industry challenges.

Another exciting project is Jamaica Normalization Island, a short docu-series showcasing a collaborative journey with Lori Alegrete, Co-Founder of 40 Tons. The series illustrates how we embarked on a highly immersive journey through Jamaica—arguably the most 420-friendly nation on Earth. . We captured the entire adventure in a series that celebrates creativity, women empowerment, and the deep-rooted relationship between Jamaicans and cannabis.

Through my work at Synergy, my multimedia and advocacy brand, and as a partner at USVdApp, I’m also deeply engaged in helping to shape the future of cannabis in blockchain through tech-forward strategies and cultural storytelling.

What excites me most about all of this is that I get to be at the intersection of impact and creativity. Whether it’s through media, public speaking, or policy advocacy, I’m constantly inspired by the opportunity to normalize the plant, empower entrepreneurs—especially women and veterans—and use creativity to change minds and open hearts.

This year, you’ll see new film projects, community collaborations, and brand partnerships. Everything I’m doing is about building legacy, disrupting outdated systems, and inviting more people—especially from underserved communities—into the conversation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, creative vision, and taking action.

Resilience came from moving to the U.S. at 13 from the Dominican Republic, serving in the Navy, and navigating the ever-evolving U.S. cannabis industry. I had to learn early how to adapt, recover, and still move with purpose—even when things didn’t go as planned. For anyone just starting out: build your inner resiliency muscle. Resilience isn’t about being unbreakable—it’s about being able to bend, learn, and bounce back stronger. Prioritize your mental wellness and create a solid support system. That’s how you stay in the game long enough to stack your wins.

Creative vision has been a common thread in everything I do; whether in film, business, or advocacy. It’s about seeing what doesn’t exist yet and having the courage to bring it to life. Creative vision comes from being inspired, staying curious, and surrounding yourself with people and spaces that spark new ideas.

And then there’s taking action. A lot of creators, entrepreneurs, and successful people talk about this…because it’s true! Action creates momentum. It leads to the next step, whether that’s a win, a pivot, or a lesson that sharpens your strategy. In cannabis, filmmaking, or many other emerging spaces, you’ve got to think and move like you’re playing chess. One thing I often ask myself is: how do today’s moves support tomorrow’s vision?

If you’re early in your journey: stay humble, stay open, and stay actively engaged in your growth. Learn the rules, then learn how to break them with intention and strategy. And most importantly, keep building, even when no one’s watching because that’s where mastery is born.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One book that’s played a major role in my development is ‘The Compound Effect’ by Darren Hardy. It broke down something I had felt my whole life but didn’t have language for until I read it: that small, consistent actions, done with intention, eventually stack up to create massive impact over time. Simple mathematics, but hard to comprehend until you put it into action.

One of the most valuable nuggets from the book is that success doesn’t come from grand gestures or overnight; it comes from daily discipline. That hit home for me as someone who’s constantly juggling multiple roles and creative ventures. Whether it was building my businesses, writing my books, or producing films, the biggest results came from being consistent: early mornings, late nights, after or before work, showing up even I didn’t feel like it, networking, talking about my goals, and most importantly, taking action.

Another key lesson was about taking radical ownership of my habits and my time. The Compound Effect helped me realize that we have more control than we think, even when circumstances don’t seem ideal. This book provided me with strategies on how to turn small wins into a lifestyle. That in particular, has been game-changing for my mindset and momentum.

For anyone in a growth phase or feeling overwhelmed by the size of their dreams, this book is a reminder that you don’t have to leap, you just have to keep stepping. And each one of those steps is exactly where you need to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jmbalbuena.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jmbalbuena/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jm.balbuena.102/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/johannbalbuena [email protected]
• Twitter: https://x.com/jmbalbuena13
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cannabissynergy9370

Image Credits

Synergy Studios