LOS ANGELES — Jay-Z is heading into the legal marijuana industry as a chief brand strategist in partnership with a California cannabis product company.
The rapper said in a statement Tuesday that he entered a multiyear deal with San Jose, California-based Caliva. His role will consist of driving creative direction, outreach efforts and strategy for the brand.
Jay-Z says he also wants to increase the economic participation of people returning from incarceration through job training and workforce development.
The rapper called Caliva "the best partners for this endeavor."
Caliva operates a farm and two stores in Northern California. It also distributes its branded products in roughly two dozen other retail outlets in the state.
NFL legend Joe Montana's venture capital firm took part in a $75 million investment in Caliva earlier this year.
California passed two new laws that will affect the marijuana industry. Assembly Bill 1793 speeds up the process for people who may be eligible to have pot-related convictions dismissed. AB 3067 addresses the marketing of cannabis products to minors. These are California’s New 2019 Cannabis Laws Explained.