About JM
Johann Marie “JM” Balbuena, a dynamic figure in the cannabis industry, is a co-founding member and CMO of Prime Harvest Inc., a tech-retail-focused cannabis organization, JM plays a pivotal role in overseeing the marketing department and direct-to-consumer operations, including the management of Jaxx Cannabis, a premier California cannabis retailer. As a distinguished US Navy veteran, JM’s resilience and leadership were honed through two combat deployments aboard the USS John C. Stennis. Her academic journey led her to an MBA from the University of Phoenix, MIS from National University, and a Media Production degree from Platt College, further cementing her as a formidable media and business strategist.
Balbuena’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through shortly after graduating college as she co-founded Palenque Provisions, a New Jersey-based Latinx food producer and distributor, transforming it into a multi-million-dollar venture.
A beacon of innovation, JM established the cannabis community initiative Boycott Shitty Weed, ingeniously intertwining fashion, web3 technology, and cannabis education. This brand not only advocates for intentional cannabis use and social justice but also strives to build a robust and inclusive cannabis community. Her passion for storytelling and advocacy found a new outlet in Synergy Studios, a media branch dedicated to producing wellness-lifestyle content and fostering original narratives in cannabis and psychedelics.
JM Balbuena is also the author of the Amazon bestseller “The Successful Canna-preneur,” a compelling guide for navigating the cannabis industry. This book, published by Difference Media with a foreword by Dr. Joseph Rosado, is not just a strategic manual but a call to action for aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions relentlessly.
As a proud Afro-Latina, JM’s approach is distinctively introspective, encouraging others to find their path to success from within. Her commitment is unwavering: to facilitate open, educational dialogues about the cannabis plant and its burgeoning industry, paving the way for future generations in this dynamic field.
