Embracing and Partaking in the Cannabis Culture at FloFest

Recap video by Nature Studios

The cannabis culture is alive and well in Florida. Ask anyone who attended this year’s FloFest in Port Charlotte. With cannabis comes good vibes, but it also brings healing and a sense of community. FloFest celebrated all things cannabis and showcased not only the recreational aspects of the plant but also its profound healing potential. Upon walking into FloFest, attendees were submerged into a hazy cloud of sensimilla and a heap of vendors to help them understand the benefits of the plant. 

While walking through the festival, vendors and cannabis connoisseurs discussed the plant's ability to alleviate chronic pain, reduce anxiety and stress, and even aid in managing certain medical conditions. Festival goers learned about different strains, ways of consuming the plant aside from smoking it, and the importance of responsible and informed usage of the plant. 

Throughout the festival, medical professionals offered consultations and guidance to those seeking cannabis as an alternative form of treatment. Watching this unfold was a potent reminder that cannabis, when used responsibly and under professional supervision has the potential to improve overall health and well-being.

The festival also offered plenty of vendors who supplied an impressive array of beautifully crafted glassware, innovative smoking devices, and high-quality accessories that catered to everyone’s personal preferences. Whether you prefer a nice hand-rolled joint, a smooth hit from a vaporizer, or a powerful rip of a bong, there was something for everyone.

One such vendor, Art Rolls, not only supplied the necessities to enjoy marijuana, but as the name implies, also packs art into their products. Anyone can include filters in with their rolling papers, but Art Rolls takes this to the next level by supplying high quality art into their filters, offering a unique joint rolling experience each time.

The presence of the vendors at the festival also added to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere of FloFest. Not only by providing attendees with a platform to explore and purchase high-quality smoking accessories but also supported local businesses and artists within the cannabis community.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of FloFest was the atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. It created a safe space for individuals to openly discuss their experiences with cannabis and its healing properties by fostering a sense of unity, breaking down stigmas and allowing people to embrace the plant's positive impact on their lives. All through the day, I could hear people exchange stories, share laughter, and form connections that transcended beyond the typical conversation of marijuana.

FloFest also made sure to curate an incredible lineup of musical talent that perfectly complemented the uplifting and mellow vibes of the cannabis culture. With the likes of Nostaljah, Indigo I, Greg Roy, Street Level Uprising, Pressure Dem, Fiyah Wata, Ian Nelson, and Nature Studio’s very own Badda Skat, spreading good vibes through the airwaves. All through the day the music resonated with the crowd, spreading messages of unity, love, and social awareness. People swayed to the infectious rhythms and embraced the positive vibrations that filled the air.

FloFest demonstrated that the cannabis culture isn’t just about getting high, but rather it’s about fostering well-being, promoting healing, and building a community. FloFest showcased the holistic nature of the cannabis culture, and demonstrating the plant’s ability to bring together creativity, craftsmanship, healing, and a sense of camaraderie among like-minded individuals.

By the end of the festival I wasn't ready to leave, but the dimming lights were the sign to leave, and while the scent of cannabis lingered in the air I thought about how the festival wasn't just about the music, the cannabis, or the vendors, but rather, it was the sense of belonging and the shared experiences that made it truly special.

Video by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson & Zack Kearney

Photos by Phil DeSimone

Review by Brendan Mcginley