This article was published by VICE's Creators Project on April 3rd, 2017, and can be found here, along with the accompanying photos.
"Take only photos, leave only footprints," says @Whereyousmoke. And don't forget to take the roach home with you!
Even the simplest landscape is elevated when you are also, well, elevated. Exceptional Instagram account @whereyousmoke merges dope views with the smokable stuff, posting gorgeous photos of exotic locales with spliffs in the foreground. The account was started by an LA artist who wishes to remain anonymous, but he tells Creators that the National Geographic-esque shots are all about the "grass-roots exploration" that comes from "being able to share moments with smokers all around the world."
It all "started from a moment between me, a spliff, my buddy TJ, and the great outdoors," the founder of @whereyousmoke says. Since creating the account in 2013, it has become a forum to exhibit the earth's most beautiful smoke spots. He explains that, "@whereyousmoke showcases the beauty of pot, exploration, sharing a story and, overall, hopefully inspires more time spent outside respecting the wildlife, all the flowers, and all that."
An experienced photographer, the artist behind @whereyousmoke considers his fusion of nature and Mary Jane as a practice that goes beyond getting faded in the great outdoors. Putting "someone in Brazil" in a virtual dialogue with "someone from Norway" has created a global community of stoners who are "making it a responsibility to share our empathic view of our earth."
The curation of photos on Instagram is just an initial step towards larger initiatives. Just last month, the account paired with Merry Jane, Snoop Dogg's online weed platform, to feature some of @whereyousmoke's best photos, along with interviews with the photographers behind the joints.
As ideal as lighting up au naturale may seem, @whereyousmoke wants you to remember to be considerate of others and always take your roaches with you when you're done. For extra hiker bonus points, pick up any other litter you may come across on your trek. As the old outdoorsman adage goes, "take only pictures, and leave only footprints."