'BALANCE IS EVERYTHING': Canna-Recruiter Alexander James

Alexander James grew up in Florida, USA but made his way to Amsterdam before the so-called ‘Cali-wave’. Coming from the states he rode that wave in the early days, making BHO-extracts and more. Now with the emerging legal market in the Netherlands however, Alexander has started a recruitment agency for legal cannabis companies. Also, he’s an active stoner who loves to motivate people (like our Uncle Kush) to break the stereotype and be a more active, motivated and succesful stoner.

Alexander James & the Cali-Wave

Alexander James grew up in the rougher parts of Florida in the USA. Here he developed a passion for cannabis, he tells Uncle Kush in The High Cloud Podcast S04E09. Explaining that the plant was always there for him. When he needed it to make money to survive but also to make friends when moving to a new place. Eventually he started growing weed in his closet when he lived on his own. Which went horribly wrong after he got robbed. Because he’d told everyone about his grow! After a while he he start back up again, got into hydroponics and went deeper into the industry.

Through a grow-shop he frequented, he slowly worked his way into the emerging legal markets in the states and was getting more settled than ever. But he felt like he needed to change sceneries and move. Having read magazines like High Times, where Amsterdam was always dubbed the Mecca of cannabis; Alex had developed a certain image of the place. Then when a buddy said ‘why not move to Europe’, and Alex discovered the Dutch speak English, he decided to come to Amsterdam.

But with the Cali market in mind, he was surprised coming into the ‘boring’ coffeeshop culture. ‘Where are all the things?’, he asked himself. As this was pre-cali wave, there were no exotics on the menu, let alone extracts. Using his network he established in the US, and the few innovators roaming the streets of Amsterdam; Alex was able to be a part of the ‘Cali-Wave’ that came shortly after.

Balance Is Everything

Back then Alexander was (allegedly) making BHO oils in closed loop systems. As that was one of the ‘hype’ products at that time. But times change and so did Alex. With time he moved away from those activities and started his recruitment company ‘Right Linq’. Connecting the coolest companies in the cannabis space, to cool people wanting to get in on the expanding legal market(s) in Europe and beyond.

Although his focus lies not only on his (and other people’s) career… As he says ‘health is the real wealth’! And his commitment is visible on his instagram. Where we see him rise at 4.30am everyday. To go running, biking, climbing. All after having smoked a fat joint as ‘his medicine’ to get started and in the right headspace.

Comedy nights

Another thing that helps motivated stoner Alexander keep sane, is comedy. Something he picked up right before the pandemic, and has proven to be ‘his art’. He’s a great storyteller and loves to entertain, so it really feels like it comes natural to Alex. If you’re curious about his comedy, check out his Comedy Nights at our host for this podcast: Coffeeshop De Kade!

Alexander James is a true example of an ambitious, social and active motivational stoner. We hope you get just as inspired as we get from AJ’s stories, motivation and personality.

WATCH NOW: ‘BALANCE IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE’: Cannabis-Recruiter Alexander James – The High Cloud Podcast S04E09: