Zero-Pesticide Sungrown Cannabis
Queen of Cannibis. Shot in the Autumn Brands greenhouse, this iconic image features Laganja Estranja in gold Cleopatra-inspired styling.
✨ Photography, Makeup & Styling by Robert Hayman (@roberthaymaniconography)
June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate authenticity, visibility, and the powerful role queer voices play in shaping not just culture, but also wellness, advocacy, and the cannabis industry itself. At Autumn Brands, we believe that living authentically is a radical act of healing. That’s why we’re honored to highlight one of our favorite cannabis advocates and drag icons: Laganja Estranja.
Laganja recently joined us on our Inhale Exhale Elevate podcast for a vulnerable, inspiring, and hilarious conversation about cannabis, creativity, and queerness. From her time on RuPaul’s Drag Race to becoming the first LGBTQ+ entertainer to grace the cover of a cannabis magazine, Laganja has used her voice—and her platform—to advocate for plant medicine, queer representation, and radical self-expression.
In this episode of Inhale Exhale Elevate, she opens up about her personal transformation—from dancer to drag queen, from patient to plant advocate. Her story is a reminder that healing often begins when we start living our truth—and that cannabis, in the right hands, becomes a catalyst for confidence, creativity, and community.
From Dance Prodigy to Drag Powerhouse
Long before she was turning heads in towering heels, Laganja—aka Jay Jackson—was making waves in the academic arts world. In 2007, she became a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, performing her original choreography on the Kennedy Center stage.
“It was a dream come true… I was 18, and already knew I wanted my art to stand for something.”
Today, that “something” is cannabis—used not just recreationally, but intentionally.
How Cannabis Sparked a Creative Awakening
Her first introduction to cannabis came while choreographing that award-winning dance.
“I was stuck creatively, and my dancer suggested cannabis. I relaxed, opened up—and the piece came to life. I’ve had a connection to the plant ever since.”
That creative spark evolved into something deeper. After an injury in college, she turned to cannabis for pain relief, sleep regulation, and mental health support.
“Cannabis became my medicine. Not just physically—but emotionally and spiritually too.”
A Queer Cannabis Trailblazer
Laganja is more than a cannabis consumer—she’s a bold, unapologetic advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the cannabis space. At a time when brands were afraid to align with queerness and cannabis, she leaned in.
“I got pushback early on. But I knew I had to be visible for others. I’ve created space for other queer people to feel seen in this industry.”
Her dream vision? A brand called House of Ganja—sleek, elevated, and gender-neutral, designed to reach beyond her fanbase and appeal to everyone.
“I want a straight guy walking into a store to pick up my joint and say, ‘This looks cool.’”
Growth, Moderation & the Power of Daily Elevation
Like many of us at Autumn Brands, she embraces growth as a lifestyle. Her daily practice includes yoga, intention setting, and yes—some well-earned hybrid flower.
“For me, elevation means constantly improving. Cannabis is one tool, but the real magic is in the inner work.”
She also emphasized the importance of moderation as the cannabis landscape evolves.
“I used to be a dab diva. But when I started transitioning and healing, I realized I didn’t need to numb myself anymore.”
Hear the Full Conversation
Listen to the full episode of Inhale Exhale Elevate to hear her talk about:
Listen to the full episode here »
Follow Laganja on Instagram » @laganjaestranja
Follow Laganja on Facebook » facebook.com/LaganjaEstranja
Follow Laganja on X (Twitter) » x.com/LaganjaEstranja
Photography, Makeup & Styling by @roberthaymaniconography
Autumn Brands Stands With Pride
At Autumn Brands, we are proud to grow clean, consciously cultivated cannabis—free from pesticides, and rooted in sustainability and social wellness. This Pride Month, we honor our LGBTQ+ community by celebrating changemakers like Laganja Estranja.
Let’s continue to break stigma, elevate conversations, and create safe, joyful spaces where everyone belongs—not just during Pride, but every day. Because supporting queer voices in cannabis is about more than a month—it’s about creating a movement that honors authenticity, equity, and plant-powered wellness.
🌈 Happy Pride from all of us at Autumn Brands.
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