MJ Lifestyle Magazine & Plant Wellness Platform

So many ask,
'How did it all start?'

My journey began as a photographer, capturing the essence of women through my lens for over two decades. From weddings to boudoir to personal branding, I loved my work. But as a new mom, the constant travel for weddings, late nights, and weekends became a challenge, and I needed to shift my focus.

At the same time as the new crossroads in my career, I was also moving back home to California after 18 months in Kansas City for my husband's work. Looking back, this was a pivotal moment for me. Wondering how I could pick my career back up, I hosted a couple of photography retreats, attended a fashion workshop, and had a close friend strongly urge me to get into cannabis photography.

"Um, no, thank you." I kept saying. As a long-time consumer, my consumption was something I hid from my professional world. I had spent twenty years building my career and reputation; surely I wasn't going to throw it all away with weed!

Knowing my respect for the plant and the recent legalization in California, she persuaded me to shoot for a local brand. I remember being scared I would get in trouble for being in the presence of so much Cannabis—more than I had ever seen in my life—like 5 pounds of fluffy nugs!

The shoot was gorgeous and badass; I enjoyed myself so much that I decided, "What the hell, let's make an anonymous Instagram account, share my photography, and maybe get some gigs from it."

And so it began.

The first step was to come up with a name. Because this was a very personal passion project for me, and I knew I wanted the letter "MJ" in my Instagram username. I know, so creative, right?! Only every other Cannabis Brand had the same idea ;)

But here's my MJ's backstory: In 2011, I really, really wanted to name my daughter Mary Jane and call her MJ. My dear husband let me believe I had a chance to name her that up until she was three days old, sitting in the hospital with no name! Reading too many resumes in his professional life had him concerned about branding her with a name that comes with such a bad stigma, and ultimately, he couldn't do it. Her name is Jane Ryan, which suits her perfectly.

Once I had a few shoots under my belt, I quickly realized that women were wholly misrepresented in the industry, and there was no one like me—a high-functioning, professional woman (& mother). For all of my adult life, I had been hiding my secret lifestyle because women were either over-sexualized or identified as a "stoner" or "druggie" for using Cannabis. This new understanding inspired me to do something I never thought I'd do: come out of the "Green Closet." But before I did anything, I needed to sit down with my parents. They initially seemed disappointed, which is understandable given the misinformation we have all been fed for decades. I explained to them that Cannabis is a conscious wellness tool and that you can receive great benefits from very small doses. Slowly, they became more open to the idea—however, my mom wasn't happy that I didn't warn her I was making it Facebook official!?

"Coming Out Green" is one of the most incredible things I have done standing up for myself. For decades, I kept my consumption a secret that I only shared with close, personal friends. Hiding something and holding onto shame is toxic for our bodies; it was a relief to share my relationship with Cannabis with my world, and I was happily surprised by the response. Of course, I lost a few clients, but what I gained was far more significant. Former clients, classmates, educators, and even my parents' friends supported my announcement. Still, even more so, people reached out privately, sharing their own personal experiences. It quickly became apparent that women needed to feel free from this burden, and I wanted to be a part of it. This experience has taught me the power of self-acceptance and authenticity. I hope it empowers you to be true to yourself.

I designed a lifestyle catalog to show cannabis brands the work I could produce for them. The feedback received was, "Is this a magazine? If not, it should be!"

As word got out and I explored cannabis business events, the women I met felt like long-lost sisters. For so long, many of us have had this inner turmoil that we struggled with alone in our own minds. While many thought I was crazy for starting a magazine, the women I was connecting with instantly became part of the movement. The next thing I knew, I was getting invites to fly across the country to speak on panels and share my experiences and knowledge. This sense of community, of finding our tribe, made this journey so rewarding.

I strongly believe in the power of Cannabis and its potential to enhance women's lives. This belief led me to create a magazine that visually portrays the extraordinary nature of this plant and how women can incorporate it into their daily routines. It's a visual time capsule that educates while showcasing women at the forefront of cannabis legalization, making history, and crafting intentional products for purpose-driven companies.

Cannabis and hemp legalization has been a wild ride for everyone. FDA Approval and Regulation haven't happened yet, so it is important for us to do our due diligence and seek out companies that are transparent in their cultivation, processes, and third-party testing. MJ Lifestyle only supported brands with up-to-date third-party Certificates of Analysis for purity and harsh chemicals.

We knew we were building much more than a beautiful print magazine; we were a sisterhood leading a vital movement. Before the world shut down in 2020, MJ Lifestyle hosted the most unforgettable Plant Wellness Day Retreat in Northern California and launched its Plant Wellness Community Membership. In addition to community gatherings, MJ Lifestyle Members received four seasonal plant wellness boxes a year featuring 6-8 CBD and wellness products to try, plus direct access to our professional support community.

During the lockdown, I hosted Live Interview Check-ins with 50 Female Business Owners and Creatives in 50 days. Would you believe that only about 10% of these female entrepreneurs and creatives had professional headshots? The experience forced me to leave my comfort zone and helped keep us afloat during such a challenging time. As I waited for the world to get back to functioning, I designed a gorgeous website, the only one of its kind, featuring products from women and POC-owned businesses. The site included education about how the plant interacts with the Human Endocannabinoid System, articles on wellness success, survival stories of injustice, COA test results, and a bio on the women/people behind the brand of every product.

While I had big dreams of making a much more significant impact and holding cannabis brands accountable for clean products and ethical business practices, sadly, my fourth issue on Motherhood, "In Her Power," was the closing chapter of my MJ Lifestyle contribution to the world. Ultimately, general banking and funding with integrity became an impossible mission. She will remain a piece of history with her first issue showcased in the Women of Cannabis Exhibit in Amsterdam's Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum. I often think the world just wasn't ready for her.

As a self-funded business navigating my way through both the print and cannabis industries, it has been gut-wrenching. Would you believe it if I told you I had been served papers threatening to sue me for $10 million for bringing to light a former rape case against a big cannabis CEO!! In just four years, I endured more than I ever thought I emotionally or financially could, and while I have learned significant lessons going from Artist to CEO, the women (& some incredible men like my husband!) are why I took this as far as I could. This journey has testament to the power of personal growth and learning. I hope the combined work put into our four issues and the informational site continues to support an industry that still desperately needs accountability and to weed out the Good Ol Boys Clubs and Big Business.

If you have made it this far, I appreciate your attention and would love to work together on your next project!

Let’s Work Together!