During her tenure as Director of Marketing at MJBIZ, Kelly Riddle launched the first Content Creator program and State Takeovers, giving influencers, media, and creators around the world a platform. So launching The CannaJo!nt (TCJ) in May 2025 was a natural next step in her journey into entrepreneurship. Making its debut at Revelry Buyers Club in Hudson, New York, TCJ is a brand marketing and events agency that specializes in standing out and scaling smart in a fast-moving industry. Their events provide a refined space for relationship-building, brand visibility, and dynamic creator collaborations. Using her marketing and events expertise, Kelly, through TCJ, pairs industry executives and brands with influencers, media, creators, and artists.
The CannaJo!nt Brand Pitch at MJBizCon 2025
The highlight of TCJ at MJBIZCON 2025 was the Brand Pitch, created by Ishqa Hillman of the Canna Boss Babes. This was a shark tank-style pitch where business owners presented in front of the media. Similar to other shark tanks, the goal was to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas and/or products to a panel at TCJ, which included cannabis media, PR agencies, and Brand Managers.
Participating brands were paired with PR agencies to refine and deliver a focused pitch.
PR agencies and Brand Managers included: Michael Mejer – Green Lane Communication, Kim Ring – Ring Relations, Gretchen Giles – G2 Communications, and Dina Miller – Mood. Journalists and media partners included Lulu Cohen, Owner of Rogue Arena, who also co-launched The CannaJo!nt, and Veronica Castillo, the Traveling Cannabis Writer, both with the Other Magazine.
Event sponsors included: Green Lane Communication, Pisgah Peak Ventures, ’68 Partners, NRM Consulting, Dr. Dabber, and My Bud Vase. Presenting brands included: Megan Mbengue – EntheaCare, Safiyah Kadouri – OG Kush Babes, Kirsten Velasco – VapeNProp, Tiana Woodruff – Queen Mary.
When asked about the importance of companies like TCJ, especially in cannabis, Michael Mejer responded: “Bringing cannabis businesses, PR pros, journalists, and publishers together to workshop 1-on-1 together, address best practices, debunk myths, and forge genuine relationships is priceless. It’s something all industries should embrace. In an industry like cannabis, where confusion, misunderstandings, and misinformation are not unusual, we need to work even harder together to ensure the right information makes it out to the masses to help move the industry forward so the end-users and community can take advantage of what this plant has to offer.”
Brand pitch creator Ishqa Hillman says: “For many smaller brands, big trade shows can feel high-risk and hard to justify from an ROI standpoint. Brand Pitch was designed to remove that uncertainty by providing direct access to PR and media professionals who are actively seeking new stories, businesses, and voices to elevate. It’s about making visibility feel attainable, not intimidating.”
At its core, The CannaJo!nt stands as a testament to passion and perseverance in a changing landscape. When asked about the vision and importance of the work done at TCJ, Kelly responded:
“I envisioned The CannaJo!nt as a place to hit pause, rewind the conversation, reset your pace, and press play on what’s next. The results have been tangible for participants, from new clients and expanded business to career breakthroughs, partnerships, and long-lasting friendships.
In this fast-moving industry, it’s important to show up for each other with this spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.”
BONUS: The CannaJo!nt and Rogue Arena will be hosting another special event during Revelry in Hudson, NY this May.
