The Ritual
where culture meets cannabis
The Ritual invites us along as a quiet observer to the personal sanctuaries of some quintessential and iconic New Yorkers. These spaces function as refuge from the city’s beautiful chaos and are the setting where our subject’s cannabis rituals naturally take shape: sometimes quiet and solitary, sometimes social and expressive.
In addition to still portraits, every participant responded to “The Ritual Five”, a short “Proust Questionnaire” style interview. The resulting portraits and video pieces create a shared framework across vastly different lives, revealing how cannabis supports creativity, connection, rest, and presence in distinct but parallel ways. What emerges is an honest portrait of people at ease, engaging with cannabis on their own terms.
Al Fine
Entrepreneur, sexologist, co-founder and CEO Dame
Tell us about your ritual
I try really hard to have intention. I love rolling joints, I think that in and of itself creates intention (so easy to just hit the vape without thinking). I love to say a little prayer. I thank the elements (sun and rain and earth), I thank the people who helped cultivate, harvest, and ship the plant to me and of course I thank the plant spirit. I try and say out loud what I want from the experience. I want to feel more present, happier, connected to my kids.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
That we are lazy.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
That I’m not really, really, really famous . I know this is supposed to be the other way, but the truth is, I think my younger self would be a little disappointed. I had and have big plans for myself. I do think she’d be pretty pleased with the whole vibrator thing.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
Ohhhhhhhh Julio Torres – I feel like he doesn’t smoke but he works in my building and I would like that.
Maybe Ilana Glazer.
Being high feels like…?
Presence, ease, and joy.
Matt Wolf
Filmmaker and documentarian
Tell us about your ritual?
I smoke joints because I’m old fashioned. But I’m too incompetent (or lazy?) to roll them myself. Needless to say, I was relieved when pre-rolls became part of the cannabis menu. I take some puffs out of the window at home before going on a 20,000 plus step walk around the city with a friend. I like to keep my joints in the Sackville Carry Case Keychain (got it at Gotham with my favorite Drew Martin queer joint), so that I can continue to “freshen up” throughout the day or night. I always look for the latest “euphoric” sativa to feel sociable with a body high. In other words, I proudly identify as a chatty gay stoner.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
The biggest misconception is that we’re slackers. I’m an overachieving, high functioning pothead. I smoke weed to clock out, and to be in the moment instead of ruminating on the creative and practical concerns that churn through my brain. I may be somewhat lazy (physically), but I’m overstimulated (mentally), and weed levels it all out.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
When I was thirteen-years-old, I told my mom that I was worried about getting a couch up the stairs into a New York City apartment. Then when I was eighteen, I wrote a manifesto saying I would become a documentary filmmaker engaged in queer history, and that I wouldn’t work on romantic comedies. So nothing is unbelievable, but maybe because I was thinking that way throughout my childhood, I needed to hit the bong a bit younger.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
I wouldn’t mind getting blazed with Martha Stewart and walking around New York City being treated like royalty, while sampling the highest end snacks available.
Being high feels like…?
When I’m high I feel cozy, delighted, and ideally holding court with a captive audience.
Nova
Model, actor, activist
Tell us about your ritual?
I would say the first part of my ritual is to always have a clean and neat space or else I spend most of the time that I’m high cleaning haha. I cannot enjoy being high in a messy space. I’ve always only ever smoked after doing my homework or on the weekends. It’s not a daily ritual for me but when I do get high it is very special because it’s like a treat and reward. I work hard and forget to rest and play. I like to do stretches either before or as I’m getting high to loosen up my body. I’m playful in many ways but I think as adults, unless there is an animal or a child in our lives we don’t spend enough time playing! It should be a part of our schedules! I love to take an edible and snuggle in my bed watching anime, or go outside and blow bubbles, or draw and paint— journal or intentionally daydream. I think discipline gets a serious connotation but I think we can make more room for whimsy and child-like wonder if we are disciplined about cultivating a life that makes it a ritual. My space is very colorful and cozy for this reason.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
A lot of negative misconceptions about people who consume are aimed at marginalized people. There’s a narrative that they’re lazy, unintelligent people who want to ignore responsibility. But I know founders, creatives, baristas alike who all consume alongside doing really cool things! Some of these folks are able to get work done while consuming and some folks are able to wind down after a long day because of it. Consuming can help people accomplish their goals instead of inhibiting them. People who work hard using it to unwind vs creatives using it to inform their creative work.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
I never thought I would model, act, or make money from simply sharing my love of tv/cinema because I never knew it was possible for Bangladeshi people. It all felt impossible but I busted through doors that were closed for me and I could not be more proud of how intentional I have been while doing so. Allowing my values to align with the path I’ve created for myself and uplifting others when I have an opportunity to. I’ve seen myself in ads on YouTube, on wheat paste campaigns, Off Broadway, in stores. At Womxn in Windows my work involves creating free accessible screenings of femme / gender expansive directors and facilitating nuanced conversations around their perspectives of identity and society.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
She doesn’t smoke weed but I’m shooting my shot at Cardi B, I was following her way before she blew up for her music. That is a real ass New Yorker! I love my Libra queen from the Bronx! I would love to just be high and hear her yap about anything hahaha.
Being high feels like…?
A soft smile on the face of someone who’s just happy to be there.
Jazmine Hughes
Writer, editor, and professor
Tell us about your ritual?
Here are some important facts. Did you know that Ernest Hemingway didn’t actually say that famous quote: “Write drunk, edit sober”? Did you know it was actually me? I really said, “Write stoned, edit sober,” but clearly the transcriber that day wasn’t getting anything right. I love all the parts of writing — reporting, interviewing, editing — except for the writing part, which makes my brain feel like a cage and my thoughts like a tangle of balloon ribbons. Hitting the bong once or twice (or six times, because you might as well finish it) straightens them out and gives them room to float around, so I can pluck down the ones I like and stick them to the page. Then the rest is my editor’s problem.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
That we’re perpetually chill and wavy and loosey-goosey and vibey. I’m quite anxious.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
My hands haven’t gotten any bigger?!?!?!
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
Real talk? Eric Adams, preferably after he is released from prison.
Being high feels like…?
An unclenched fist.
Lea Delaria
Actress, comedian, and jazz singer
Tell us about your ritual?
The reality is, I don’t really have a ritual. The thing about show business, especially the sort of show business I am in, is it’s difficult to take a vacation. So, instead of 2 weeks once or twice a year, when I need a break I take a hit. That way I get thousands of vacations.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
That there is any sort of preconceived notion that defines people who consume.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
That gay marriage, weed, and felons can be President are legal, but abortion is not.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
Hands down Ella Fitzgerald. She is my shero.
Being high feels like…?
Getting cunnilingus from St Theresa. Unpack that one lol.
Frank Castronovo
Chef and co-owner, Frankies 457 Spuntino
Tell us about your ritual?
For me, it’s like seasoning a dish. It’s the final touch that unlocks the flavor of the moment. Whether I’m in my kitchen developing a new recipe or sitting by a river after a long motorcycle, that first puff is the signal to my brain to slow down, be present, and tap into that creative, peaceful space.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
That we’re lazy or unmotivated. I’ve traveled the world, run kitchens, and built a career fueled by passion and hard work—all with cannabis as a companion. It doesn’t cloud you; it can open you up. The stereotype of the lethargic stoner is outdated. We’re chefs, artists, entrepreneurs—we’re engaged with life.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living now? That the kid who snuck my first smoke at 8 years old in the shadows would one day be doing a professional photoshoot for a legitimate, high-profile dispensary. I went from hiding it because I was so young to being open as young man long before it was legal. It’s been a positive thread throughout my entire creative and personal journey.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
Picking just one is the real challenge. My dream would be a roundtable with New York’s finest minds. I’d start with John Lennon (for creativity and peace), and my list would include Malcolm X (for conviction), George Carlin (for truth), Thelonious Monk & Miles Davis (for innovation), Basquiat (for poetry), and Lou Reed (for the city’s gritty soul). That’s the spirit of NY.
Being high feels like…?
It feels like turning up the saturation on life. Colors are a little brighter, flavors are more pronounced, and ideas connect in new ways. It’s that moment of release and freedom right before the creative spark hits.
Frank FalcinellI
Chef and co-owner, Frankies 457 Spuntino
Tell us about your ritual?
As the years go by, I realize that my ritual becomes more and more tied to sharing moments with others. Usually a good meal. Whether that’s hosting friends at home or at one of our restaurants, or meeting dear friends I haven’t seen in a while at a special spot in the city. Just as with wine, the right choices can unlock even greater joy and conversation.
What is the biggest misconception about cannabis consumers?
That all weed is pretty much the same and that all the people who smoke it are pretty much the same, too. This misconception persists, at least from my experience. Of course, the reality is that you’re dealing with all different walks of life with a vast range of needs: inspiration, healing, a little lift in dark times, or the good rest any decent human being deserves. Or some combination thereof. Accordingly, there’s a wide and wonderful world of styles, provenances, genetics, and other features to consider.
What would your younger self never believe about the life you’re living?
Working at local establishments in Queens, my younger self would probably have a tough time believing that his humble vocation actually holds the key to becoming an entrepreneur who gets to travel the globe and build worlds of his own. He’d be even more suspicious of somebody telling him that this cooking thing will allow him to engage with many of the art forms and interesting people that seem more than a bit beyond his reach.
If you could share a joint with any New Yorker (alive or dead), who would it be?
Bob Dylan would be pretty swell, because I have so many questions about so many things. I’d like to at least give it a whirl. Also at the top of the list: Stanley Kubrick, Ralph Lauren, John Cassavetes, Jake LaMotta, Mel Brooks, and Joseph Mitchell.
Being high feels like…?
A perfect Sunday, effervescent and warm.
Franks