Plantz member, Jay Fagan, is doing something truly pioneering at his MediVape Lounge in Newport. We wanted to find out more so asked Jay a few questions and share his journey to help plant patients and shift stigmatism towards acceptance.
What is your biggest ambition for the medical lounge?
My aim at the lounge is to provide safe space at my lounge and around my area at events and festivals and hopefully expand across Wales.
What have been your hardest moments whilst opening your lounge?
I have passion for what I’m doing providing the space and breaking the stigma around cannabis. There should be places that patients can go to. Just like we go to a pub and enjoy ourselves, we should be able to go a place and enjoy consuming our medicine while in a safe & social environment.
What has been your biggest challenge setting up J's MediVape Lounge?
Hardest part is seeing the amount of people who are buying shit weed off the streets and being over-charged for it. Encouraging these people who self-medicate into medical to get better products is a must.
Even if you’re lucky enough to be able to source good street cannabis, having a medical prescription has many more benefits. Driving is possible if not impaired, although please take care if you’re sourcing good bud, make sure you know what you’re doing! Going on holiday is a breeze too since with a bit of planning you can take it away with you. Plus, problems with councils, neighbours and the police about the smell of cannabis are less. Plus, it means you can walk around with your pot without the fear of getting a record or jail
What do you think are some of the biggest stigmas about cannabis and why?
I think anyone consuming cannabis has their own reasons but many could benefit from understanding those reasons and getting a proper prescription for it. There are many routes available now but if you need advice, come to the MediVape Lounge, become a member and I’ll share loads tips ahaha
