Faces of Mary Jane
MY PRIDE, MY JOY, AND THE SPARK THAT STARTED IT ALL; FACES OF MARY JANE IS A PHOTOJOURNALISM PROJECT THAT SHEDS LIGHT ON ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT USE CANNABIS. EACH PERSONS’ INDIVIDUAL STORY IS SHARED TO DE-STIGMATIZE NOT JUST THE CANNABIS USER, BUT THE PLANT AS WELL. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE, AND SOMETIMES THEY ALSO HAPPEN TO ENJOY MARIJUANA! SEE THEM, READ THEIR STORY AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANNABIS COMMUNITY! I’VE MET SUCH AMAZING PEOPLE THROUGH THIS PROJECT, AND IF I DON’T GET TO PHOTOGRAPH YOU NEXT AND HEAR YOUR STORY, I HOPE YOU ENJOY READING THE BEAUTIFUL STORIES OF THOSE I DID.
@facesof_maryjane
The Green Between US: A Faces of mary Jane Documentary
COVERING THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF CANNABIS USERS AND SUPPORTERS AT BOSTONS FREEDOM RALLY, THIS DOCUMENTARY ALLOWS YOU TO MEET THE PEOPLE WHO ENJOY MARIJUANA. BREAK THE STIGMA BY SEEING CANNABIS USERS FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WITNESS HOW THE “GREEN” ALLOWS PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO COME TOGETHER.
Anthony’s dreams include film, music and art, which can come as no surprise for his big move to Cali. He is a young man who works hards, holds big dreams and acts as an inspiration to those around him.
“Smoking helps with my sleeping pattern, anxiety, and appetite. It also acts as a social activity for my friends and I.” Anthony is 23 and relocated from New York to California where he is currently an inventory control specialist. He smokes anywhere from 3-5 times a week and when asked about the negatives aspects of weed he stated that it can be a financial burden to his bank account; the “outward opinion” of others can be a negative as well.
When asked how often he smoked, Nelson said “I smoke every day, at least twice a day”. For Nelson, weed has positively contributed towards his life by turning him into a “Renaissance Man”. In his opinion, the only negative is the way in which society views it. With this stigma he has had two UPM’s (unlawful possession of marijuana), lost his family, and had to quickly learn the dark truth about society. Yet, with all that it has provided him creativity, happiness and the motivation to learn new things.
“Overall it gives me happiness when I have the least amount”. Nelson is a 24 year old server living in New York. Other than smoking, he enjoys writing and creating music in his free time. He states that smoking actually helps fight against writers block and enhances his art and therefore his overall creativity. Smoking also helps Nelson combat his negative emotions and anxiety; it “calms the soul”.
If you truly wanted to see all the beautiful faces of Mary Jane and experience their love…you had to be at the Boston Freedom Rally. So happy to have met the amazing souls of @dabbing_granny and @chriscrayzie253_ ! Can’t wait to further contribute towards the cannabis community! Faces of Mary Jane exists to provide a platform for those who wish to share their story. A story of how cannabis has effected their lives or their loved ones life. As I walked around all weekend, meeting just a handful of those people, I was welcomed through smiles, laughs, and of course a puff, puff, pass.
Always be happy with who you are, but today…be extra happy you’re a stoner. Hanging with your homies and sharing a nice fat blunt is what today is all about! Puff puff pass!
“I hate the idea that people think we smoke to escape reality when really it helps you enjoy it even more.” When asked why she smoked, Paula’s response was “why do people drink coffee every morning? I have a million reasons to smoke but I don’t think you need a reason to smoke and that’s okay”. Paula is 20 and lives in the suburbs of MA. Her number one priority is always her happiness and she enjoys doing things that puts her in a good mood, even if that means isolating herself to read, draw, paint, or exercise. She says, “I obviously love smoking as it relaxes me and opens my mind to my more creative side”. Her experience has been positive and says weed “has helped me cope with depression, anxiety, and anger like no other pill or bullshit therapy session ever has”. Paula loves to make people laugh and spends most of her time with those who are most important to her; her mom and boyfriend. She isn’t 100% sure what she’s doing in this world but with confidence she stated “I will be big enough that I won’t have to introduce myself anymore. Watch”. This woman is strong and bold. A queen who happens to enjoy some weed.
How often do you smoke? “Every night before bed” 46 years old, Spencer lives in New York where he does construction work and enjoys playing golf on his free time. There are many explanations as to way he smokes, the main “being to relax and de-stress”. For him, the positives of marijuana are all the ways it “helps medically”. The only negative he has experienced has been “with the law”.
“I smoke because I believe my brain can use a hug every now and then. Weed brings me comfort and ease if I’m tripping. It’s also a social thing when you’re out and about.” Frankie Tarantino is a 21 year old student and rapper, currently living in Massachusetts. When asked how weed has affected him in his life (negative and/or positive), he replied “negatively it’s a financial drain at times but not to the point of no return. It’s also an escape which is a positive and negative because avoiding (issues) is easier when high but you can also be more reflective which can help solve day to day issues. Weed can throw you into bouts of creativity.” Frankie’s hobbies include reading, playing video games and listening to music but when asked what his dreams were, he said “to be able to travel and sustain myself on the strength of my music.”
“The way I see it, there are far more positives than negatives when it comes to smoking marijuana. It opens my mind and allows me to see life in a different perspective. It teaches me to appreciate life more. This appreciation gives me confidence, motivates me, and shows me what is important in life. I truly believe smoking makes me a better person.” When asked how weed has affected her, she states, “I still do the same things I did before I started smoking. Positives are being more relaxed, productive, motivated, sociable, creative, I could probably keep going for a while. The only negatives are having less money and hiding it from my parents”. Mic is 20 years old and is currently a Biology major on a Pre-Med track, though she’s not really sure what she wants to do with her life. She says, “The only thing I achieve for in the future is happiness. Cliche I know, but if I’m happy, I would consider myself successful and winning at life”.
“I dream to make it to a point in my life where I feel great about my work and comfortable with the possessions I’ve earned. It would be nice to also know I can help my family the way they deserve.” . 21 year old Isaiah lives in New York where he works as an MRI Technologist.
When asked why he smoked he replied, “I smoke to just give my mind a break from the BS of the world. Life is hard so sometimes it’s nice to just have fun in the moment.”. For Isaiah, marijuana has been a positive experience that has “allowed brief escape” when he has a lot on his mind. He typically smokes when he is with his “friends on the weekend”. He states, “I smoke most with my boyfriend. It’s when we can all just reconnect after a long week”.
He states, “I have never been affected by weed negatively in my life. Besides with the law”. His hobbies include listening to music, watching movies/ tv shows, writing raps and [editors note: of course] smoking backwoods. When asked what his dreams and aspirations were he said, ““To not be a statistic! I want to do great things and enjoy life no matter where I end up. Right now I think I want to be a video editor, but hey, life happens, no telling where I’ll end up. As long as I’m content, it’s life. I’m living. ”⠀
Why do you smoke? “Because it enhances life and also makes me more of a social and less anxious person. It amplifies everything and it’s only a plant. It’s amazing!”. From New York, 20 year old Ryan has found his experience with weed to be a positive one. He states, “I have never been affected by weed negatively in my life. Besides with the law”. His hobbies include listening to music, watching movies/ tv shows, writing raps and [editors note: of course] smoking backwoods. When asked what his dreams and aspirations were he said, ““To not be a statistic! I want to do great things and enjoy life no matter where I end up. Right now I think I want to be a video editor, but hey, life happens, no telling where I’ll end up. As long as I’m content, it’s life. I’m living.”
How has weed affected you in your life? “It takes away my stress.” From New York, 72 year-old Keith use to work in Sales but is now enjoying retirement. As a father and grandfather his dream is to have his family “in a safe and loving lifestyle”. Smoking helps him relax and be more laid back. His hobbies include painting, hunting, fishing, golfing and sports! *This man has taught me to laugh, love and not take life too seriously. Yes, he has the natural powers of good ol’ weed. -Founder of FMJ
Why do you smoke? “Honestly at first it was because it was real relaxing for me, eased the stress you know? But as the years passed I developed severe back problems. I have two herniated discs in my back and the pain goes straight down my sciatic on my left leg. Many doctor visits and physical therapy visits and nothing worked. I increased my smoking habits and that’s when my pain decreased greatly.” Mitch lives in New York where he currently works as a Pro Service Specialist at a home appliance store. In his free time he enjoys playing and watching basketball, hanging with his friends, and (of course) smoking weed. When asked how weed has affected his life in either a positive and/or negative way he says, “Weed has been a positive because it makes life much easier for me, makes me a more relaxed person. The only negative is with the law”. Mitch isn’t sure of what he wants to do in the future but he’s “pretty comfortable with where [he is] now”; it’s just a matter of “waiting for better opportunities” I think he speaks for us all when he says, “I wish I could just hit the lotto, have unlimited amounts of weed and travel.”
Happy New Year from Faces of Mary Jane! If you’re not roll’n into 2018 with some bud you’re doing it wrong! May the year bring you lots of green, laughs and munchies. 2017 has been filled with photographing amazing people and I’m honored to have shared their beautiful stories. BIG things coming this New Year! Cheers to 2018 and starting the year high, happy, and healthy!
Would you say you are a regular user of cannabis? “Yes. I smoke because I have very bad ADHD and it makes me calm and can help me focus! If weed all had a bong we would all get along” From Maryland, Jessica is studying in North Carolina to work towards becoming an event planner. She enjoys hanging with her homies, listening to music, and exploring.
Why do you smoke? “Why not? Weed allows me to be comfortable with my true form, my true me.” -20 year old college student currently majoring in Developmental Psychology with plans to get her doctorate and work in a prison. She works constantly but when free she loves to spend her time alongside her roommates, being weird and dancing around!
“Weed negatively has brought me financial troubles but positively effects my mood and state of mind. It gives me a feeling of tranquility and pure happiness that helps at the end of a long day or if I am in the mood to listen to an enhanced music experience or eat a lot of food.” From New York, Anthony is 17 and is to be a senior in High School. He is currently employed at a grocery store, but his hobbies include starting a landscaping business and taking time to listen to music.
“I work so much, I usually work from 9am-9pm. So after, I smoke to relieve stress. When I smoke, it just calms me, relieves me.”. Bini is a 20 year old business major. She enjoys to ride her bike and dance as well as try new places to eat!
“It helps relieve stress and fatigue from both life and labor. (I smoke) to relax from a long day of wear and tear on the body, to gain appetite, to get to sleep faster, to think creatively, to write music, to stay open minded, to persevere.”. 19 year old Gunner is a college student in North Carolina. He works many jobs which include gardening, landscaping, construction, DJ’ing and producing music. He plays soccer and finds joy in photography, boating, fishing and surfing.
“I love to workout (lifting, dancing and running) especially since I’ve had a history of eating disorders and always struggled with my body. So this year I became really into exercise for my mental health and physical well-being. Smoking helps me because it helped with eating normally and made me feel good about myself and eating right and forgetting about the stress of looking good.” 20 year-old college student who hopes to one day be a medical social worker. After volunteering at Children’s Hospital in Boston she began to find a passion for helping people and plans to work with children and their families. Post-graduation she hopes to work in the psychology department in a hospital to do what she loves.
“I smoke every day, when I wake up, during the day, between classes, after work, and before bed. It helped cure my depression, and helps my anxiety socially. I’ve never had any horrifying experience either.” -20 year old Christianna works three jobs so she can support her love of traveling the world. She is currently in Boston studying to be an art therapist with the dream of starting her own practice one day.
“For years, I suffered with anxiety and depression and felt as though I had lost myself to my mental illness. Smoking has allowed me to not be so controlling and come to peace with the fact that life is unpredictable and you have to roll with the punches. I’m also someone who is always busy and running from one thing to another, but smoking has allowed me to take the time for myself and relax. When I smoke, I’m happier, kinder, and more engaged with the world around me.” -22 year old college student Tess
