Joe Vargas

Joe Vargas, also known as @Hustler on Instagram, is a high-functioning autistic serial entrepreneur, published author, U.S. military veteran, brand builder, husband, father of three, and a pioneering force in the legal cannabis and CBD hemp space.

Joe Vargas is the founder and CEO of BuyLegalMeds.com, the world’s first CBD dispensary. He coined the term "CBD dispensary" and helped bring it into mainstream industry use.

Under his leadership, the company has generated millions in revenue and played a key role in shaping major product and retail categories within the hemp wellness space. He also created Cloud N9ne Syrup, one of the first nationally recognized CBD-infused syrup brands, which helped establish the "CBD Syrup" category in the industry.

Joe Vargas is a published author of Common Sense Made Common, a no-nonsense guide to navigating life, relationships and business with clarity, discipline, and purpose. Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Joe Vargas is also the creator and founder of Algora Call Bot, Algora Trading Bot, and Algora Wallet Tracker, a suite of blockchain-based tools designed to bring real-time insights, automation, and transparency to the Web3 ecosystem.

As a manufacturer, retailer, and e-commerce expert, Joe Vargas has spent over a decade leading innovation in direct-to-consumer health and tech. He has played a key role in shaping the structure of the CBD and hemp space while building scalable infrastructure at the intersection of compliance, commerce, and culture.

Joe Vargas served 8 years on active duty in the U.S. military, an experience that instilled discipline, resilience, and leadership. Before entering the hemp/cannabis and technology sectors, he spent a decade in Las Vegas nightlife, media, and entertainment as a VIP concierge and independent journalist. That work gave him a unique understanding of influence, consumer behavior, and high-pressure environments.

In 2017, Joe Vargas gained international attention for sparking the viral Fake Melania conspiracy, a media moment that was picked up by Ellen DeGeneres, Entertainment Tonight, Late Night Talk Shows, major global outlets, and even prompted a response from the White House and Donald Trump himself. The event became a surreal but lasting part of Donald Trump’s first-term legacy that will live on forever.

With over 25 years of philanthropic involvement, Joe Vargas actively supports veterans, autism awareness, and underserved communities.