Hi, I’m Brian, a new writer for FNM.

Lately, I’ve been following cool celebrities online and manifesting friendships through requests for interviews.

One of the kindest celebrities to have responded by far was Laganja Estranja (Jay Jackson).

At first, Laganja and I messaged about being from Dallas TX. I hoped to recruit her talents for an event in the Lower Greenville neighborhood.

Then, my path intertwined with Dustin, Lindsey, Melanie, and the fine folk of Fat Nugs Magazine.

In December, I joined an FNM contributor call and then…

Alas, here I am; a bonafide writer.

Or something…

Long story short, in mid-February I sat down for a virtual interview with world renowned dancer, choreographer, drag artist, and cannabis advocate – Laganja Estranja.

Here is how it went:
How has your cannabis advocacy evolved since being on the show?

Well, there are a lot of questions in there; let me break them down. How has my cannabis advocacy evolved since the show? I didn't consider myself an advocate when I first entered the show.

I chose my name Laganja Estranja knowing I wanted a platform that was larger than myself.

I was taught growing up that weed was the devil's lettuce, but I discovered over time that it was not. In fact, I found that cannabis was helpful in many different aspects of my life.

This realization and my discovery of the plant's medicinal benefits helped inspire my creation of Laganja Estranja.

As a drag queen, I wanted cannabis to be my platform, but I didn't understand what it meant to be an advocate; nor was I aware of the impact being on television and representing the Nugs would bring to my life.

I became an activist after the show, especially after witnessing firsthand how homophobic the cannabis industry was. I felt like I needed to create a space, particularly a safe space, for other LGBTQIA+ individuals.

My advocacy and activism have evolved in many ways since the show. I've had more opportunities to educate myself on cannabis and vocalize my feelings toward the plant. I learned a lot of knowledge about cannabis along the way as I met more people who were curious about my name.

I never dreamed of the day that people would be waiting in line at a meet and greet to hand me a joint. I did not intentionally set out to do that, but it has been beautiful. So much has come from being open about myself and my cannabis usage.

Has cannabis hindered or helped your career?

Both, in many aspects, it has helped, especially around 4/20. Everybody wants to book the doll, then!

However, when teaching dance or working with a well-known commercial company, it has hurt me that I am attached to cannabis.

When I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance in Drag for Season 15, I chose to go by the name Ms. Estranja because I knew that for Fox network, with a name like Laganja - that probably wasn't going to fly.

It goes both ways, but I always try to look at the positives of being a cannabis advocate.

Where can we go to read more about your cannabis advocacy efforts?

Yes! I have a website, www.laganjaestranja.com, that we are currently redoing. The new version will be launching on 4/20!

I dedicated a section of my website to highlighting cannabis collaborations. I needed to display my cannabis advocacy efforts so that people discovering me could educate themselves on who I am.

Education is the main priority. I also want to bring awareness that queer people are the reason cannabis became legalized medicinally in California.

We fought for access to medicine for our brothers and sisters experiencing HIV. It was a form of alternative medicine for those patients. I feel a strong connection to this lineage.

I want people to see that there is a significant crossover between queer culture and cannabis culture. We have often held hands and will continue to support each other moving forward.

Collaborations are an ever-growing part of my life. For example, I have an upcoming collaboration with Empyre Glass. I am launching my first-ever water pipe!

Cannabis plays a significant role in a lot of our lives. However, there are segments of people worldwide who don't understand why cannabis is essential; nor are they willing to accept the benefits the plant provides people.

Similarly, some segments of the world don't understand the concept of gender; nor recognize the validity of transgendered individuals.

In America, these two segmentations of people:

People who don't accept cannabis
People who don't understand gender fluidity

Typically share residence in areas of our country known as the Red States.

We both come from a Red State and advocate cannabis and gender education.

How has cannabis played a part, if any, in your gender awakening?

Absolutely, cannabis played a huge part in my gender awakening and my gender suppression. For many years I consumed cannabis to escape my truth as a trans woman. I was overmedicating to numb myself because I felt this truth within myself.

Again, growing up in Texas, I really didn't have a lot of education when it came to being trans. I just knew that being a sissy was not good. I knew you got made fun of for this. Even as I entered Drag, I suppressed this side of myself my whole life.

For me, drag was a catalyst that helped me accept my truth as a trans woman. In the beginning, I chose Drag because it was a culmination of all the different art forms and a way for me to explain my femininity.

Drag was a way for me to put my femininity in a box. I could say I'm not actually trans; I just do drag; it's just my job, and it belongs over here in this beautifully compartmentalized box.

During Corona, while smoking lots of cannabis, I discovered that this was my truth. I didn't want to hide this anymore from others and, more importantly, myself.

While cannabis might have hurt me at the beginning of my journey, it also has helped me to accept my journey, deal with my PTSD, and to deal with my fear of being accepted as someone who does not live on the typical gender spectrum.

To speak on your point, how many people don't understand the importance of gender education. That is really true.

I believe that most people are born in their gender, and that is how they identify. There is no exploration.

It can be difficult for them to understand that someone would explore their gender and codify it in a way such as trans. The only way to deal with this is to educate people.

What does it mean to be a woman to you?

That is a very loaded question.

I think for me, I identify openly as a trans woman. I can only really speak to what it means to be a transwoman. I can't speak to what it means to be a biological woman. Now, many trans people would disagree with me on this.

What does it mean to be a trans woman to me? It means to be incredibly brave and accepting. Not just accepting of yourself but others as well. It means to be patient, kind, and loving. Ultimately, it means to be free.

When I think of what it means to be a woman, I believe there isn't a lot of freedom. There is a lot of inequality that comes with being a woman.

For me, what I love about being trans, is that I choose not to accept suppression. The world may look at me and view me a certain way; jobs may hire me and pay me less, but the way I look at my life, and by being an openly trans woman, I am free.

What toxic habits would you like men to reconsider, and what cuter practices could they replace them with instead?

Something I would like men to replace is the idea that being strong means you can't be vulnerable at the same time.

That's something men could work on. It is one thing to be physically strong and be able to lift heavy items. It is another thing to be strong and realize when you are wrong.

A cuter habit would be, and we were getting there in the early 2000s but have since shied away from the idea of metro men.

Let's keep pushing that forward. Pedicures, manicures for men, facialists for men, pampering yourself as a man. That is a cuter habit, not just for looks but also for your mental state. That is something that I have always loved to do. Since my transitions, I've felt more comfortable pampering myself with things.

Men sometimes fear pampering themselves because it might make them look feminine. There is nothing wrong with being a feminine male or taking from feminine culture and figuring out what pieces work for you!

What advice do you have for young nonconformists experimenting with cannabis?

Steady and slow. There is no rush when it comes to consuming cannabis, and it is possible to overmedicate. When people over-medicate, the experience becomes too intense for some people.

With edibles, I always caution people to go with a low amount. Edibles, for me, are more intense than smoking flower.

If you are a young person consuming cannabis somewhere that cannabis is criminalized, you want to do it in a safe space. Free from the po-po.

As someone who grew up in Texas, where I couldn't smoke, I always recommend people find a safe space. Try not to break any laws, and don't put yourself at risk.

I think paranoia often comes from situational anxiety, not really the plant. The plant is heightening everything around you. Be in a safe space with good people and good vibes. Take things slow and steady.

Laganja, congratulations on having not one but two tracks on Spotify with over a million listens and another track - Legs featuring Rye Rye, approaching a million streams.

You clearly are a talented musician; what does music mean to you?

I am incredibly grateful to finally hit a million streams on Look at Me and Poison Ivy.

My greatest dream is to be a pop star. I look forward to leading and breaking through in the music scene. I want to show people that trans voices matter and that we can make great music too.

Do you have any music projects currently in the works?

I am currently working on putting out my new EP, Daily Basis. I have a new song called Daily Basis with a music video coming out on 4/20!

I'm also hoping to kick off my first-ever solo tour!

Lots of people aren't aware that I have about 10 songs of my own. I have put out a single almost every year. Music is costly, and creating good music takes a lot of time.

I'm not trying to make drag music. I'm trying to make pop music. There have been a lot of challenges with that. Finding the right producers, finding suitable mixers, finding the right writers…

I'm also working on a new project called Misstep. It is an original musical about trans and nonbinary people portrayed by trans and nonbinary people. I am co-choreographing this production with Broadway choreographer Connor Gallagher.

We recently did a workshop at the Village Theater in Issaquah, Washington. That was so incredible to be in a room of trans and nonbinary people creating a piece of art about trans and nonbinary people.

We are hoping that it makes its way to Broadway…

Maybe 2025…

Fingers crossed!

I think in cannabis, many of us share a collaborative spirit.

We lift up the plant, and we lift up each other.

Are there any collaborations we still need to mention that you would like to speak more about?

I agree with you; I think cannabis users share a one-love spirit. Very 1960s up on Hippy Hill. I am grateful for all the people I have had opportunities to collaborate with over the years.

Bouncing ideas off each other with people is much more fun than trying to do everything yourself. It also allows you to achieve peaks that you may have yet to be able to reach alone.

I have a life partner so-to-speak when it comes to collaborations. His name is Robert Hayman. He is a multi-talented photographer, makeup artist, director, and actor; he can do it all.

Two projects I'd like to call out are our music video, Daddy. That was one of my favorites. The second is a YouTube series called Muse Me. Robert does everything makeup, hair, set design, directing, and more.

I love collaborations. They challenge me in good ways. They push me to another level I might not have reached myself.

Collaboration often elevates projects and takes them to the next level.

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