This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with the team behind Just Another Jay. They're a dynamic duo, consisting of Cannabis Stylist and Designer, Cameron Ray Rexroat, and Photographer and Technical Director, Nick Abell. These two beautiful souls came to the office and we talked about cannabis, fashion, and social media.

Who are you and what do you do in the cannabis industry? 

My name is Cameron Rexroat (or Jay! Whichever comes first) and I am the creator of Just Another Jay, a social cannabis collective that focuses on lifestyle-driven photography & social consulting. The best way to describe what I do (because let’s face it, you generally wear multiple “hats” when running your own business) is that I am a cannabis content creator. I work with my partner in business (& life) on delivering photography, social media management and consulting to this industry.

JAJ is our way of approaching cannabis with a more elevated perception, leaving the old stigmas behind. I personally worked in fashion PR & marketing for almost 10 years and saw how even the creative world of fashion had the same mistakes being made as the majority of global business. I decided that the world of cannabis (with it being so new) could be the only industry that doesn’t make all the same mistakes as everyone else. My goal in starting JAJ was to create a business that focuses and collaborates with individuals/brands that want to elevate the cannabis experience through social media marketing & content creation.

Why do you choose to consume?

I choose to consume because cannabis has completely made me feel more human than anything. Most people roll their eyes when they learn that I consume because of the perception that cannabis still has in the modern day. I grew up with a family that openly accepted cannabis as a medicine.

My father grew and would read High Times religiously, while my mother would openly use it for her extreme arthritis. She was my hands on exposure to seeing how incredible cannabis can help human beings. Without it, she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed without the help of her children. After seeing those moments, I decided to use cannabis to aid in my continuous (but now manageable) anxiety/stress. We are in a social epidemic of mental health and I am living proof that cannabis helps me manage my daily life.

How has cannabis affected your lifestyle?

It's completely changed it! If you would have told me 5 years ago what I was doing now as a full-time career, I would slap you silly! I would never have imagined that I would be traveling the world with my partner, and working with the cannabis community. My approach to JAJ’s artistry is very heavily focused on lifestyle. It’s the experience of cannabis that makes my lifestyle ever changing.

What is your favorite activity to do while high?

My go-to activity is yoga. Cannabis is a huge help during my flow and I have been able to personally feel even more empowered by the practice thanks to cannabis.

What's your favorite way to consume?

I wouldn’t be called “Jay” if it wasn’t for the amount of flower I roll up in a beautiful joint! I am actually quite sensitive to concentrates and edibles! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do a dab and eat a brownie (even at the same time!) but there is something so incredible in consuming flower. I love lighting up a joint and letting it take me when I need to go!

What's your most memorable high story you have?

I would have to say this last trip I took to San Francisco for Kyra (@kyrious.co) & Libby Cooper (@libbycooper) “Pot Party”. Not only was I surrounded by incredible cannabis influencers, but I was able to make a genuine family when we come back. I had never been to the city and I was given the honor to see it with @oovlifestyle. They walked me down the Castro on the day of SF PRIDE and during that moment I started to tear up.

For a long time I used to volunteer at the LGBT center and I would hear stories about how incredible the community and support for homeless gay youth was in the SF area. I was on the same streets that my culture has fought to maintain focus on LGBTQIA rights and awareness. I felt very humbled by that moment and it made me curious on how we can get LGBT representation in the cannabis community, even when it’s not pride month.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Danielle Halle told me “sometimes it easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission”. I really resonated with that (& others could as well) largely because confidence is something that easily gets lost when working with other brands. When you lose your artistry in what you do, you lose yourself. I struggled with not just finding a voice but holding on to it as my own. When I found that voice and an audience that would listen, I stopped asking for permission to live and create and got to creating art that I respected.

What's your favorite high food?

Chips. It’s so basic, but a warning to anyone who wants to sesh, hold onto those kettle cooked goodies. I’ll snatch them all up.

For anyone looking to make the leap into independent employment, what is one piece of advice you have for them?

I would say to make sure you understand that being an independent entrepreneur means that you will be doing more than your craft. I tend to avoid the question of “what do you do?”, because I wear a number of “hats”. It’s not a 9 to 5 job either, it’s a full life career. I have to make sure that the social media, marketing, PR, blog content is written, brand relationships, contract management, financial management is all being taken care of, all around the time that I need to remember that food and water will keep me alive!! That doesn’t include my partner who focuses on the technical side of the business. It never stops, but this is the lifestyle that I wouldn’t trade for anything else.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your cannabis story?

We are just getting started. As the world continues to support us, we are facing new opportunities all over the west coast. Cannabis has taken us to so many different places and have made connections with some of the most incredible people, but it’s the beginning of this crazy adventure.