420: Drag Race’s Queen of Green Commemorates Cannabis’ High Holy Day

After appearing as a contestant on Season 6 of Rupaul’s Drag Race, Laganja Estranja has performed in front of sold out crowds across the US and headlined performances around the world.

@thereisbosco BOB AND ROCL HAD ME DEADDDD 💀💀💀 @bobthedragqueen @rockmsakura @theonlylaganjaestranja @jorgeous_1 #acesdragrace #dragrace #snatchgame #drylikeyourvag ♬ original sound – Thy Demon Queen

Laganja’s brand extends into her work in the Cannabis space, having been featured in High Times Magazine as well as Dope Magazine, making her the first LGBT entertainer to appear on the cover of a cannabis magazine. Laganja continues her work in the space and is coming out with her own brand of edibles.

In 2018 she told High Times her origin story was indelibly tied to weed:

I definitely knew that I wanted my name to rhyme, and I knew I wanted to involve marijuana ‘cause marijuana was such a huge part of my college upbringing when I created the character first. I grew up in Texas where it was very illegal and very hush-hush, so it wasn’t until I moved to California—and, unfortunately, hurt my back—that I got fully exposed to marijuana and it changed my life. So I wanted it to be what I would have behind me as a drag queen because I believe every good drag queen should have a platform in which they represent and stand upon.

It’s not just about representing the LGBT community, it’s about bringing an important issue to the forefront and I think specifically here in California with the Compassionate [Use] Act, people often forget about the LGBT people that fought for Prop 215. So it’s been really cool to come full circle with that and bring some recognition to what I believe is the original community of at least why California has marijuana.

To mark the occasion of cannabis’ high holy day Laganja collaborated with MTHR THRSA & Robert Hayman to produce these amazing photos shot in NYC and LA.

Photos by MTHR THRSA.

Laganja told GayNrd:

I am so grateful I got to create this ExtravaGANJA with a group of my favorite trans and non-binary artists from Brooklyn. I am also so grateful California artist and drag queen Misty G Quartz created the perfect wig topper to our art piece. Recently while I was in NYC for only 48 hours, I made sure to make this 4/20 shoot possible!! I had previously worked with Laurel Charleston, so when she brought me this idea and her team—I just knew we had to make this Ganja Goddess come to life. I’ve been body painted many times, my first being on “Skin Warz ” for GSN, so I am used to the often cold and lengthy process. But what made this time so special is that we were high BOOTZ!! From H to T, this lewk took us six hours and we easily consumed an eight on set. After the photoshoot was wrapped, NATCH I had to take to the streets to show off the LEWK!! For more BTS and to see those shenanigans, check out my TikTok @theonlylaganjaestranja and my YouTube video dropping tomorrow 4/21/21 at 4:20pm for my new weekly vlog series!

MTHR THRSA says:

As a photographer and artist, I use weed to relax and to create. It’s almost bible that I end each long shoot day with a shared joint. Marijuana has not only complimented my silly creative ideas, but also has brought friends and family together through smoking circles. It’s always beautiful to gather queers for a well rolled blunt! It’s very rare that I smoke alone, and I’m grateful for that. 

Robert Hayman adds:

Artistic collaborators and best friends Robert Hayman and Jay Jackson a.k.a. Laganja Estranja are creating yet again…this time to celebrate 4/20.  Taking their “photographer” / “muse” relationship to AUTUMN BRANDS FARMS, one of the premiere cannabis growers located in Santa Barbara California, the artistic duo was given free reign to shoot whatever and wherever they wanted.  Mr. Hayman conjured Egyptian princess vibes complete with a headdress made out of blunts as well as a 1960’s inspired Pompeii Club “ala Sweet Charity” fashionista with a huge fully matured pot bud in her mouth.

Both Hayman and Jackson are outspoken cannabis activists and believe in the complete legalization of the plant.

For me, creating under the influence of pot is generally an interesting proposition.  It enhances and sometimes elevates my creative process, often allowing me to see what’s in front of me in a more focused and dynamic light.  ” Hayman says.  “The idea of pot being illegal is simply ridiculous to me…It’s such a mild drug and the fact that people are incarcerated to this day because of weed…in 2022 just highlights the fact that, even though it’s getting better and great strides have been made, we still have a long way to go.  For that reason we celebrate 4/20 and commemorate the day with art.  Because that’s our method of speaking out…our work…our art.

The relationship of this photographer / muse duo is featured in their Youtube series “Muse Me”  located here.

For everything Laganja check out her site.