Meet The CEO
By Julie Ann Mejia, CEO and Founder of Holistic Hemp Solutions Inc.
My name is Julie Ann Mejia, and I am the CEO and Founder of Holistic Hemp Solutions Inc., a holistic health company dedicated to clean wellness, education, and advocacy. I hold a BS in Psychology from Salem State University with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience and research. My entire career has centered on service. I am a legal, healthcare, and civil rights advocate supporting individuals facing medical challenges, discrimination, or antisemitism.
After graduating, I realized that traditional academic research was not the path for me. I wanted to work directly with people, so I began my career in medical settings in 2005, supporting individuals with psychiatric and cognitive impairments. This work grounded me in compassion and resilience, but my life changed dramatically in 2013.
My Story
A Life Changing Injury
While working as a coordinator at a nonprofit agency serving adolescents with complex behavioral and psychological needs, I suffered a serious work related injury. Complications from the injury led to reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a rare and debilitating neurological condition. I was prescribed opioids that brought no relief and quickly made me sicker. The experience was painful and frightening. Doctors warned I might never walk normally again or return to work.
That was when I chose to take my health into my own hands.
Discovering the Healing Power of Cannabis
In 2015, during a visit with my brother in Denver, I tried recreational cannabis for the first time. The relief was immediate. When I returned home, I applied for my medical cannabis card and began my healing journey with plant medicine. Within months, I went from barely being able to take a few steps to making a near full recovery. My mobility returned. My pain eased. My quality of life transformed.
When Massachusetts passed Question 4 in 2016, I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to helping others discover the same healing potential.
Moving Across the Country for the Industry
At the time, New England had limited opportunities in the cannabis field, so in 2017 I made the difficult decision to move to Oregon, the center of the medical and hemp industry. I started as a trimmer in a medical cultivation farm and worked my way through nearly every area of the industry. I learned cultivation, extraction, processing, compliance, legislation, and business development.
For nearly a year, I traveled between Massachusetts and Oregon every few weeks. The constant travel eventually became too taxing for my body, so in 2018 I returned to New England with deep industry knowledge and a clear purpose.
Creating Holistic Hemp Solutions Inc.
I founded Holistic Hemp Solutions Inc. to bring clean, accessible, and scientifically supported plant medicine to the public. I have consulted for multiple cannabis and hemp organizations and have contributed to company development across many sectors of the industry. Through years of research and hands-on laboratory work, I developed a line of high quality rare cannabinoid formulations created through natural extraction methods. These formulations are now Patent Pending in the United States and international markets.
Our products support pediatric and adult patients with seizure disorders, chronic inflammation, pain, and long term COVID symptoms. Many of these patients use our oil to naturally manage their conditions without harmful side effects.
Advocacy and Public Education
My experiences fueled my passion for advocacy and education. I have testified in several states to support safe access to cannabis and hemp. I have been featured on national and international podcasts to share insights from both my personal healing journey and my industry work.
In 2022, I was honored to present at the Harvest Cup Conference alongside respected industry leaders, including Ed Rosenthal, where I spoke on intellectual property protection. In 2023, I was featured on CannectedTV in a film segment highlighting women in cannabis. I also host my own show, The Holistic Alternative, on USA Global TV and Radio, and was recently interviewed on Montel Williams’s podcast.
Legislative and Community Work
In 2023, I wrote my first healthcare bill for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to help diabetics by capping excessive costs for medications, testing supplies, and essential equipment. This work is deeply personal to me, as I live with late onset autoimmunity and have advocated for access, safety, and affordability for many years.
I donate my time to support cancer patients by offering holistic guidance, supplements, and emotional support. I also contribute to 13 Folds Magazine, a New England publication centered on education, advocacy, and plant medicine culture.
A Mission Rooted in Love and Service
Holistic Hemp Solutions is more than a company. It is a promise to support healing, protect patients, and uphold truth. Every product, consultation, and educational effort is grounded in lived experience and a genuine desire to help others reclaim their health.
In my downtime, I cherish peaceful moments with my husband, my diabetic service dog, and the chosen family we have built. They remind me every day why this work matters.
Much love and appreciation,
Julie Ann Mejia
CEO and Founder
Holistic Hemp Solutions Inc.
Emmanuel “Manny” Mejia
Emmanuel Mejia, known to everyone as Manny, is a retired police officer, a war veteran, and someone who has always placed service at the heart of his work. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration.
When he saw how cannabinoids helped me heal, Manny became a believer and a passionate advocate. He found relief in these products for his own PTSD, both from his military service and his years in the field as a police officer. He feels deeply about supporting veterans, first responders, and others who have faced trauma, guiding them toward natural, non-synthetic paths to healing.
Today, Manny is our COO and my right-hand partner in Holistic Hemp Solutions. We’re thrilled to have him as an integral part of our mission. His journey from public service into the world of holistic health is a testament to his strength, his open heart, and his belief in compassionate, natural care.