rj’s essentials and the creation of hai.
for rj, co-founder of hai., cannabis has always been more than just a product — it’s been a culture, a conversation, and a lifelong passion. he first began selling cannabis while in law school, fascinated not only by the plant itself but by the way knowledge and stories about it were passed along — in whispers, through trusted circles, almost tribal in nature. that early exposure sparked a fascination that never left.
but like many new yorkers of his generation, his relationship with cannabis was shaped by the risks, too. before leaving nyc, rj was stopped and frisked twice — experiences that underscored both the stigma and inequities surrounding the plant. seeking a different path, he moved west and, in 2014, opened a medical collective in oakland. from there, he spent nearly a decade in california and colorado, immersed in markets from san francisco to la, san diego, denver, and even abroad.
each city shaped his perspective, deepening his understanding of cannabis not just as an industry, but as a culture with infinite possibility.
when rj returned to new york in 2022, he carried those lessons with him — along with the decades he had already spent below 14th street, living within the heartbeat of the city’s subcultures: punk rock, krishna consciousness, nightlife, sneakers, wellness, art, and beyond. out of this convergence came hai. — a brand that’s less about hype and more about authenticity, clarity, and connection.
his essentials reflect that same philosophy:
vintage gold watch — a watch he’s had since high school, often mistaken for a datejust. for rj, it’s less about what it’s worth and more about what it represents: time, endurance, and a reminder of where he’s been.
heady ai dab mat — born out of his r&d brand heady ai, launched in 2023, which became the testing ground for what would evolve into hai. the mat is a dabber’s essential. it’s a marker of experimentation, creativity, and the pursuit of clean cannabis innovation.
hq social club membership card — hq is a premier members-only space for cannabis culture, and a community rj proudly calls himself a lifetime member of. for him, hq is a reminder that cannabis thrives most when it’s about shared experience.
persol sunglasses — two words: steve mcqueen. a timeless classic — much like rj’s approach to cannabis: sharp, considered, and rooted in quality.
joan miró writings — a book that reflects his love of spain and his first spannabis trip. miró’s “antihero” energy resonates with rj, who has always identified more with the outliers, rebels, and innovators than with convention.
hai. pineapple fizz soap + aio — rituals made clean, pairing solventless vapes with plant-based soap. for rj, they embody what hai. stands for: clean inputs, clear energy, and products that move seamlessly through your day-to-day.
rj’s path has always been about honoring the plant and the people around it. hai. is the culmination of that journey: a brand rooted in subculture and authenticity, built for intentional new yorkers who live dynamically, seek wellness without compromise, and want cannabis that feels as good as it tastes.
for rj, it’s simple: clean inputs create clean outputs. his essentials remind him that clarity, ritual, and culture are the real luxuries — and that hai. is here to share that with new york.
