Scott Paul Aims to Set the High Standard in NJ’s Cannabis Industry
Scott Paul has long been a fixture in the New Jersey music scene, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry and building a loyal following with his smooth flows and dynamic lyricism. But now, the accomplished rapper and singer is taking his talents in a new direction: the cannabis industry.
Paul’s new company, cleverly named “High Standard”, was approved for two coveted cannabis business licenses by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission in New Jersey at the end of 2022. The licenses are for large scale cannabis cultivation and processing. This is a major coup for Paul, as these licenses are notoriously difficult to obtain, and are highly sought-after by entrepreneurs looking to break into the cannabis market.
But Paul’s success in the cannabis industry is not just a lucky break; it is the natural evolution of a career built on the foundations of entrepreneurship, activism, and community building. Throughout his music career, Paul has always been more than just an artist; he has been a business leader, an advocate for social justice, and a role model for young people looking to make a difference in their communities.
He founded Ill IntEnt. with the motivation of creating a system for our network of creatives to be able to make the most of their talents. Equipped with a degree in Business Marketing and another in Music Industry Management, he wanted to use his experience to remove the roadblocks that held so many artists back from achieving success. In 2014, he partnered with Baseline Productions to produce his first major concert, with Kid Ink as the headliner. Hot off two recent singles with Chris Brown (2014’s Main Chick and 2013’s Show Me), Kid Ink brought major attention to the NJ artists that Scott Paul recruited to open the concert, including emerging Jersey Club artist, DJ Jayhood.
In 2015, he produced his second major concert, this one headlining NJ’s newest superstar, Fetty Wap, and had a social media personality who would soon become one of the industry’s biggest rappers, Cardi B, as the host. After officially incorporating Ill IntEnt., we produced our first major concert for PnB Rock’s Catch These Vibes tour ft. Lil Baby in March, 2018. The sold out concert ended up being PnB Rock’s biggest show on the tour, outside of his native Philly. The concert gave a major boost to several NJ artists picked by Scott Paul to open the concert alongside him, including DJ Jayhood and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Justin Love.
In addition to his successful career in music, Scott Paul is a dedicated community leader and advocate. He currently serves on the board of Norwescap, a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of low-income individuals and families in Northern New Jersey. Through his work with Norwescap, Scott has been able to directly impact the lives of marginalized communities and make a positive difference in his community. His dedication to uplifting and empowering marginalized communities is evident in all aspects of his life, from his music, to his activism, to his business ventures. His commitment to social justice and community building is one of the key reasons he was able to secure the coveted cannabis licenses for his company. He has built a reputation for being an advocate for the underprivileged and is determined to make the cannabis industry more inclusive.
Additionally, Paul founded the H3AL Coalition, an anti-racist advocacy group, and ran for County Commissioner in the highly conservative Sussex County, NJ on a platform promoting inclusivity and forward-thinking. He is vocal about the fact that marijuana prohibition disproportionately impacted POC and it is a priority for him to ensure that POC are winners in marijuana’s legalization. This commitment to social justice aligns perfectly with NJ’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission, which is also focused on creating opportunities for marginalized communities.
A key factor in High Standard’s success is Paul’s ability to leverage his music career to promote his cannabis company. As a musician, Paul has a built-in audience of fans who are already familiar with his brand and are likely to be interested in his products. For his fans who also enjoy cannabis, his products will be a hot commodity. This is a strategy that has been used by other musicians with successful cannabis brands, such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Willie Nelson, who have leveraged their music careers to promote their cannabis companies and attract customers.
One of the most recent examples of a musician leveraging their career for a successful cannabis company is Berner of Cookies. Berner is the CEO of Cookies, a cannabis company that is now valued at over $1 billion. Berner is now listed by Forbes as the 4th wealthiest hip hop artist, with a net worth of over $400 million, despite being relatively unknown to even avid rap fans. This is a testament to the power of a musician’s influence and the potential for success in the cannabis industry.
But Paul’s potential success in the cannabis industry is not just about his music career or his community-building efforts; it is also about his deep understanding of the cannabis market and the needs of his customers. He has recruited highly experienced growers to run his state-of-the-art operation, which will utilize hydroponic systems as they focus on quality and sustainability. As a former political candidate, Paul has a strong understanding of the regulatory landscape and the nuances of the cannabis industry. Though his interest in cannabis business began in 2020 when NJ voted in favor of legalization, he has been a long-time advocate for cannabis legalization and has been vocal about the benefits of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use.
This understanding of the industry, combined with his business acumen, experience as a community builder, and the power of his music career, gives Paul a significant edge in this new burgeoning market and will all contribute to his new company setting a very “high standard” in the cannabis industry. Scott Paul’s career has perfectly leveraged him for a successful cannabis company and we are excited to be part of this ride with him. As more states legalize cannabis, we can expect to see more musicians following in Paul’s footsteps and using their fame and influence to build successful companies. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, it is important to have leaders like Scott Paul who prioritize inclusivity, innovation, and social responsibility.
