The Enlightenment of Marie Jeanne I

from Fat Nugs Magazine Volume 14 - Travel Edition

Veronica Castillo The Traveling Cannabis Writer

By Kristine Freeman

n 2022 I decided to start a marketing business in the cannabis industry Time came to create a name; ever the romantic, I chose one in a different language The name: FleurAmi, which directly translates to FlowerFriend in French I created the brand identity, the logo, digital assets, and LinkedIn page. And then I panicked. I’m not French What if people didn’t get it?

Entrepreneur anxiety ensued. I knew I chose the name out of lifelong admiration and respect for the language and culture (What initiated my francophile tendencies? Beauty and the Beast was one of my most-watched movies as a child). What I subconsciously knew, but hadn’t yet fully explored, was that there was some sort of synchronicity between both French and cannabis cultures.

Luckily, I love to read, possess a very healthy dose of curiosity, and actually write about cannabis for a (partial) living, so I set out to find out.

I did already have a bit of knowledge around the subject (Does historical fiction count?) I took French in college, and a novel I’d read mentioned the lady salonnieres of France, which led me to my favorite discovery - the Club of the Hashish-Eaters But I’m getting ahead of myself, so spark up un oinj and I’ll start at the beginning

When researching something, one of the best places to begin is the word itself Interestingly enough, the word ‘culture’ originates from a French term of the same name, which in turn originates from the Latin term ‘colere,’ which means to tend, grow, cultivate, and nurture the Earth. There were already some similarities right there Cannabis culture is 1 Obviously dependent on cultivation, 2 Conscious of the environment, and 3 Definitely somewhere that knowledge, practices, and mindsets have grown and flourished. But I knew there had to be more.

The French are known for their food, wine, fashion, art, and overall attitude - that je ne sais quoi. Besides the word, France actually had an impact on what culture referred to Since the 1600s, many other cultures have been inspired by French customs We’ve heard of Paris Fashion Week, right? What about the Enlightenment? That was a time of great change in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries centered around changing philosophies which then changed society - and it was centered in France.

With that, I’d found my hook Did the enlightened just stand by and go along with practices that they didn’t believe in? No - they disrupted the system and changed it. The same goes for cannabis advocates. The French have defined culture in the same way that those in cannabis have had to define (and redefine) culture to change our own history

Cultural pride is another key similarity Pride in French traditions is a well known national value Did you know there are rules for proper greetings in France? And speak to most members of the cannabis world, or just keep reading, and you’ll feel the pride we all share in the fact that we are here to make a difference Another example of strong culture: try holding on to the joint for too long in a smoke sesh

Remember I mentioned Paris Fashion Week? Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Gaultier! Paris is one of the epicenters of fashion, and as such, what comes out of it has an impact on fashion all over the world and it trickles down to design, including the design of some cannabis products Fashion revolves around seasons; as a matter of fact, part of the requirement of becoming a true haute couture (high fashion, my favorite kind) designer is to present a very specific type of collection every season.

In a similar fashion (see what I did there?), cannabis greatly depends on the seasons, too Although there hasn’t been widespread research, it appears that a majority of cultivators grow buds outdoors, leading to a glorious harvest time for growers and consumers alike. Here in California, that happens in affectionately-termed Croptober. This usually leads to an even better bang-foryour-buck impact on the consumer market for a couple months

And fashion is not the only wildly creative and important type of art to come out of France. There are at least 7 highly valued types of fine art, from painting to dance With all the creative packaging, publications, activations, experiential events, and digital content in the cannabis world, it’s safe to say that art is definitely a value Lots of brands have drawn inspiration from fashion or other types of art, even featuring artists on their packaging and creating their own clothing lines

Food, wine, and the socializing that goes along with it is another part of French culture that mirrors that of weed Raise your hand if you’ve been to an infused dinner or food or beverage tasting, or just got stoned and really savored your meal

Now that you’re thoroughly défoncé from ton oinj (stoned from your joint), let’s take it back a few hundred years to the Age of Enlightenment. When discussing novel, provocative ideas that are largely against those of the people running the country (sound familiar?), what is one to do and where are they to do it? In France during the 1600s and 1700s, you’d get your thoughts out in a salon, and not the kind where you get your hair cut

And this brings me to the Club des Hashischins, or the Club of the Hashish-Eaters In the midnineteenth century, for a few years, a group of the “literary and intellectual elite of Paris” held séances at a hotel to explore psychedelic experiences, specifically with hashish Although the thought of famous philosophers and deep thinkers getting faded and trying to talk to ghosts sounds fabulous, a séance is actually just a French term for ‘meeting ’ These meetings had interesting traditions, including wearing specific clothes, drinking hash-infused coffee, and eating edibles, which looked like green jam

Then, they would write about their experiences, some of which included ravenous hunger and hallucinations Notable members include Alexander Dumas, Victor Hugo, and Charles Baudelaire One of the outcomes of this club was the first thorough study by a psychiatrist into the effects of drugs on the central nervous system. Don’t get me started on the endocannabinoid system right now…

Besides being such an interesting fact to learn and a great example of the way these cultures intertwine, the Hash-Eaters Club is also a solid demonstration of the power of people coming together when they believe in something that isn’t fully accepted (use this power for good!). We’re still doing this in our own way nowadays; my 4/20 felt like the updated 2023 version of the club Now pack a bowl, or couler une douille, for this next one

France has one of the highest rates of cannabis consumption in Europe with close to a million daily users, but it has some of the strictest rules, and cannabis is still in fact illegal A limited medical cannabis trial is underway, but it sounds difficult to join. Even so, people in France smoke a lot of hash, which they call le shit (It’s because that’s what it looks like Seriously ) Also, the sale of CBD products and flower was banned for years until it was lifted at the end of 2022, although at the same time, France is the world’s third-largest producer of industrial hemp. Whew.

So again the cultures converge, this time due to seemingly paradoxical realities Weed is illegal in France, but many people use it Weed is federally illegal in the US, but many people use it, though France appears to be much farther behind than we are in terms of legalization It must be said that even in the face of these facts, there is so much hope The people who make up cannabis culture are driven, clever, compassionate and can truly change the world. I’m excited to be a part of this Age of Enlightenment.

As I break up l’herbe to pack a bowl, I’m inspired by what I’ve learned and grateful for the disruptors that came before And I think I’m going to start a hash club It’s going to be le shit.

4 PM Friday

PREP & PRE-GAME

Before you set off on your stoned adventure, stop by one of the newly opened dispensaries in Lower Manhattan: Housing Works Cannabis Co , Smacked! Village, and Union Square Travel Agency For the greatest variety and best shopping experience, head to the hindmost Grab a 7-pack of Lobo pre-rolls or pick up individual joints from brands like Fat Nell, Florist Farms, and FlowerHouse Purchase some Pure Vibe gummies or ayrloom seltzers to keep you lifted longer And a Jaunty vape or Eureka Fusions disposable for good measures Head to Washington Square Park to enjoy your first joint of the adventure If you’re hungry, grab fries and a slushie at Pommes Frites nearby

6 PM

Immerse Yourself

Hop on the R or W train and take it two stops down to Soho; for the more scenic route, walk about a mile down Broadway to the House of Cannabis. This brand-new, multi-sensory museum features ten exhibitions spanning three floors exploring cannabis and how it intersects with art, music, fashion, culture, and more. Learn about cannabis cultivation, history, reform, and its influence across thousands of years, while immersing in a surreal audio-visual experience.

9 PM

SATIATE MUNCHIES & RELEASE LAUGHTER

Pop an edible and head to a comedy show. Many smoke shops and cannabis clubs host 420 comedy shows regularly, often promoted through Eventbrite or social media. If none fall on the day you’re here, head to the famous Comedy Cellar or its modern successor, The Stand, where you can enjoy a meal and drinks while watching the show Afterward, head to Venchi near Union Square for the most delectable chocolate and gelato Get a good night’s rest for the packed day ahead

10 AM Saturday

ENERGIZE & CRUISE

Start your morning like a true New Yorker with a cup of joe. If the atmosphere is just as important as what’s in your cup, head to Do Not Feed Alligators in Soho. Grab a book and relax inside, or soak up the sun in their backyard. Then, head around the corner to Dominique Ansel Bakery for their famous croissant-donut fusion. Once you’re energized, head north to East 34th Street to catch a ferry. Hop on the East River ferry and take a 20minute trip to North Williamsburg You’ll be dropped off right around the corner from the city’s best Saturday happening: Smorgasburg Spark a joint while you walk over; trust me, you’ll want to be high for this

12 PM

BITES & BARKS

This weekly food festival brings 60 vendors to the Williamsburg waterfront from April through October, with local and international cuisines ranging from fresh seafood and vegan dishes to burgers, empanadas, beverages, and desserts Can’t-miss vendors include D'Abruzzo for kebabs, Fedoroff's for a Philly cheesesteak, and Red Hook Lobster Pound for a lobster roll Once you’ve filled up, head across the street to Le Doggie Cafe to play with furry friends while your food settles

4 PM

Wild West

Hop on a Citi Bike (electric highly recommended) and cruise up Kent Avenue to the Greenpoint Terminal Market. Get a feel for Brooklyn culture and see why people have been calling NYC the “Wild West.” Explore vendors that sell vintage clothing, weed, food, alcohol, and mushrooms, alongside a live DJ and stunning waterfront views. If you’re not quite hungry for dinner yet, check out nearby shops like Greenery Unlimited and Yoseka Stationary, or head to Sunshine Laundromat for a few rounds of pinball

7 PM

Urban Seafood

The water surrounding New York City once contained an abundance of sea life, most notably lobsters in the Long Island Sound This made way for a vibrant seafood scene in the city, especially in Greenpoint If you’re looking for a casual seafood spot, check out Lobster Joint, known for its famous lobster-topped Bloody Mary For finer dining, head to Greenpoint Fish & Lobster, a neighborhood staple

9 PM

Brooklyn Soir E

After dinner, walk down Manhattan Avenue to Twins Lounge. Party in true Brooklyn style with a $7 beer and a shot special. Either claim a pool table or head upstairs to the lounge area and outdoor rooftop. This is the perfect place to figure out the rest of the night’s plan, which can range from chic cocktail lounges to sweaty warehouse raves. If you choose the latter, your next stop is around the corner. Head to the Good Room to get your night officially started with house and techno across two rooms. From there, endless options await. Walk south and hit the Water Tower rooftop for stunning views or Radegast Hall for live music, then hop on the L train and head to East Williamsburg or Bushwick Choose from esteemed nightclubs like Elsewhere, Brooklyn Mirage, House of Yes, Basement, or Silo, amongst countless others

10 AM Sunday

Brunch Ritual

Sunday brunch is a weekly tradition for New Yorkers, and most restaurants keep up with this ritual Sunday brunch can be a quaint outing with friends or family, but more oftentimes, it involves consuming copious amounts of mimosas to get every dollar's worth of the bottomless cost If you’re looking for a calm end to your gallivanting and you’re willing to wait, Ruby’s Cafe is a must Claiming three locations across Manhattan, Ruby’s specializes in fresh local ingredients with Australian influences Try their take on an Australian breakfast platter with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, baked beans, hashbrowns, and sourdough. If you want to end your journey with a bang, head back to Williamsburg to Ainslie for $30 bottomless brunch, which includes a meal and your choice of mimosas, Bloody Marys, or spiked tea.

12 PM

Heading Out

If you’re in Manhattan, finish your trip off smoking at one of the city’s most popular places to blaze You’ll likely be met with vendors ranging from food and trinkets to chess and palm readings, and definitely people selling weed Stop by the famous Strand bookstore to grab entertainment for your way home If in Brooklyn, wander around and explore the mélange of head shops in the exorbitantly 420-friendly neighborhood Buy a coffee and papers at Sunflower Glass Company, one of the neighborhood’s oldest smoke shops, before heading to the womanowned Glass Shop to browse a “functional” gallery of high-end smoking pieces by local and famous glassblowers. Stop at Milk Bar to grab a cereal milk-flavored ice cream for your trek home. Hop on the L train from there, or back on the ferry, and return to wherever you came from.

By Dominic Vega

My First Encounter

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, though that's what the city was renamed when captured by the North Vietnamese troops in 1975, it's still referred to as Saigon to this day Home to over ten million people, it's a city that's in constant motion, constantly changing The streets are flooded with people on motorbikes, honking and going in all directions, masterfully moving together like schools of fish.

Every inch of the sidewalk is taken up with street vendors filled with fantastic food stalls; stall after stall of giant pots, stirring a million ingredients combining to make one bowl of something aromatic and incredible Over here, it's all go, all the time It's loud, it's chaotic, and I love it

War, Ho Chi Minh, or even a good bowl of Pho are the first things that cross your mind when you think of Vietnam However, regarding all the beautiful things this incredible country offers, cannabis probably doesn’t shoot to the top of the list And nor should it, given that Asia hasn’t been known for its relaxed outlook on mind-altering substances

Though an exact timeline is unclear, it’s believed that cannabis was introduced to Southeast Asian countries (including Vietnam) in the 16th century and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes Cannabis gained popularity when the US troops entered Vietnam in 1965, and was then quickly condemned and made illegal by 1968 Though it was deemed unlawful, cannabis has been in use since the 1970s to the present day here – And the lenient outlook towards cannabis may surprise you.

How I learned just how lenient the view on Cannabis is here in Saigon took place in a bar called "TNR " A crowded, graffiti-covered, Hip-Hop thumping little dive bar comprised of expats and backpackers.

At the time, I was a backpacker and new to Saigon, so I found myself occupying a bar stool here. I met a fellow backpacker, and we began drinking and talking. In the middle of our conversation, he pulled out a pack of rolling papers from his Indiana Jones-style satchel.

Given that it's common for many travelers to roll their cigarettes, I wasn't too put off by this It wasn't until he pulled out what looked like his entire month's supply of weed and put it on the bar that I felt quite stunned I looked around at the bartenders and fellow patrons, and no one so much as batted an eye

He then pulled out a grinder and proceeded to break up the weed using the bar as his surface Then, finally, he rolled up and began puffing away in the bar My mind was officially blown And I knew right then and there that the outlook on cannabis here in Saigon was much different than I previously thought

The Laws, On Paper

When you think of Asia and its strict drug enforcement policies, you think of swift and harsh punishment, even for something as innocuous as cannabis. But this is not the Vietnam of today, nor the Saigon of today Or at least as far as cannabis use is concerned

Don’t get me wrong, serious drugs (meth, pills, etc ) are massively illegal here in Vietnam and if you’re caught with them, there are severe punishments. It’s important to note that cannabis does fall into the same category as cocaine and heroin

Yes, cannabis is classified as a drug, on paper, but in reality, when it comes to enforcement, there’s a “look the other way” kind of attitude. So much so that there are even some places here in Saigon that are entirely 420-friendly.

What to Expect When Buying Weed in Saigon

Finding cannabis in Saigon is not very difficult, but finding good quality cannabis can sometimes be challenging, especially if you’re accustomed to excellent cultivators. There are three types of cannabis you’ll most likely find here:.

1 Vietnamese Outdoor Grown

Though easiest to find, the quality is very low, and full of stems and seeds The potency level is very weak It is, however, a very cheap option You can get six to eight grams for 200,000 VND ($9 00)

2 Cambodian Grown

As the name suggests, it is grown and brought in from our neighbors to the west, Cambodia This is a midlevel option, with not as many stems and seeds The potency is still reasonably mild and is still a very costeffective option at 300,000 VND ($12 00) for five to six grams. Again, not a bad deal, and it’s a step up from the Vietnamese outdoor stuff.

3. Import

Different strains are brought in from Canada and various parts of Europe This is by far my favorite option No sticks, no seeds, great terpenes, high potency, and great flavors! Of course, this option is costly. At about 500,000 VND ($20.00) a gram. Of course, it is more expensive than the other two options, but quality comes at a price

420 Friendly Places

Bui Vien Walking Street

Often referred to by expats as “Backpacker Street” for no other reason than if you’re a backpacker, this is usually the first place you wind up in Saigon

Bui Vien is a 1,400-meter-long shoulder-to-shoulder walking street full of bars to the right and left The music floods into the road blaring at decibels so high it’ll make your eyes rattle The air is filled with equal parts cigarette smoke, street food, and sweat – All blending together to create a smell that can only be imagined and barely be described.

This is a place where pretty much anything goes It’s not only 420-friendly here; it’s basically everything friendly If you ever find yourself here, don’t hesitate to light up and enjoy all the lovely madness Bui Vien offers.

The Desert Trip Cafe

Of course, all chaos all the time is not exactly everyone's cup of tea If you're looking to relax with some THC or maybe even enjoy some THC-infused tea, there is no better place than the Desert Trip Café. Tucked away in a small alley, this little Moroccan-themed rooftop café is not only a place where it is perfectly acceptable to smoke freely, but you can opt to indulge in edibles made there daily, from gummies to doughnuts and even the coffee or tea itself

A Quick Conversation at Foglia

The aptly named Indika is a pizza and local craft beer kitchen in an old French-style house It's decked from wall to ceiling with artwork from local artists in Saigon and hosts live music, comedy, and open jams from expat and regional acts It’s a great environment to mingle with the local expat community, order some good food and watch live entertainment, all while lighting up and enjoying yourself comfortably at your table

Foglia is not exactly a place where you get the green light to smoke; it's not even a food, drink or live music establishment Instead, it's a unique smoke shop outside Saigon's city center It’s the place where I bought my first Stundenglass hookah, and it’s where I met 25-year-old Lieu Quang Vinh – the owner of Foglia.

Vinh believes that cannabis brings people together and spreads happiness So when opening his shop in 2017, he aimed to be a proponent of spreading this happiness to the cannabis culture of Saigon Though he has faced his fair share of challenges, Vinh continues to pursue his goal of helping provide people with products that promote good health and reduce stress.

Overall, Vietnam is still a young country experiencing constant development. It’s an incredible place that will leave you with experiences you will never forget.

Whether or not cannabis ever sees legalization here in Vietnam remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: If you’re a cannabis lover willing to try something different, Saigon awaits you.

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