CMA Member Spotlight:
Joan Samuels,
Business Developer and Account Manager, HempStaff
Joan Samuels, Business Developer and Account Manager at HempStaff details her role and why she chooses to be a Cannabis Marketing Association member.
What is the nature of your day-to-day job?
HempStaff offers recruitment and training services within the cannabis and hemp industry. We place from entry-level to CEO, nationwide and internationally.
What brought you to the cannabis industry?
I have been a recruiter in the healthcare and tech industry for over 20 years. Cannabis is a great new challenge.
What do you bring to the cannabis marketing community?
CMA offers great networking opportunities.
What do you want your peers to know about you?
I was born and raised in London, England, and was recruited and moved to Los Angeles 17 years ago, to start a Healthcare Job Training Partnership initiative for the City of Los Angeles. The initiative’s success led to her spearheading a multi-state Technology Job Training Initiative for the Department of Labor, to assist women, people of color, veterans, and people with disabilities to get jobs in the technology industry. I joined HempStaff in October 2018, to expand them to the West Coast, Europe, and the Caribbean. Since then I have been working to assist candidates including women and people of color to enter and advance in the cannabis/hemp industry.
Tell us a bit about your personal relationship with cannabis. How do you use it?
I am not a user of cannabis products but have several friends that do and gift it.
How has your job changed since cannabis was deemed essential? What does cannabis being deemed essential mean to you?
Business has increased. Cannabis is essential due to the medicinal properties and a great alternative to manmade drugs.
Why did you join CMA?
To network and meet other like-minded professionals.
What is your favorite part of being a CMA member?
CMA’s mission is to bring a positive perception to, and authentic understanding of, cannabis and its consumers around the world. How are you working to bring a positive perception to cannabis and its consumers?
I am proud to state that over 40% of my placements are women and people of color. I feel it’s important to do my part to diversify this industry. My highest placement for 2020, was a 34-year-old African American male at $275,000.
Join Joan and a number of other cannabis marketers by becoming a CMA member today!