Founded in 2016 by Beca Grimm and Rachel Hortman, Dope Girls had a fairly straightforward albeit unique mission when they launched their biannual zine: to increase female representation within cannabis culture. In short time that vision expanded to include people of color, queer and non-binary folks, and other marginalized groups, along with some of the critical issues facing those communities such as expanded access to healthcare, destigmatizing marijuana, and, absent of legalization, fair and equal treatment by both the state and legal system.
Indeed, if there is one thing Dope Girls have sought to emphasize, whether within the pages of their publication, through social media, or at one of their sponsored events, it’s just how much these issues collide, intersect, and overlap. As such, Grimm and Hortman have used their platform to elevate female and non-binary voices, showcase their art and stories, and build a community of smart, informed readers who just happen to love toking up.
These days, Dope Girls boasts a significant following, especially on Instagram where their posts frequently generate dozens of comments and side conversations. There have been talks of expansion to other cities—last month the crew co-hosted their first event in Los Angeles—but even in the face of greater opportunity and a wave of draconian anti-abortion legislation that might incentivize some to ditch Georgia, the Dope Girls aren’t going anywhere. “We want to stick around and fight for those who might not have such a luxury as the option to leave,” Grimm says adamantly.
And if you are going to stick around, why not make it a party? Today, in partnership with Pabst Sound Society, Dope Girls are co-hosting this year’s Estoriafest, which will go down at 97 Estoria in Cabbagetown. Featuring a diverse musical lineup that includes Dino Boys, Shantih Shantih, Cousin Dan’s new project DARTH, and Challenger Deep, among others, the festival doubles as a sendoff for PBR rep and longtime Atlanta scene staple Luis Sandoval. Ahead of the festivities, we spoke with Grimm about the past, present, and future of Dope Girls; Atlanta’s cannabis culture; and what the everyday smoker can be doing to fight the good fight.
Interior of Dope Girls Vol. 6, featuring a photo essay by Atlanta photographer, Albrica Tierra
What was the founding mission of the zine and how has it evolved over the past couple of years?
We originally started the zine when both Rachel and I worked at Creative Loafing. We wanted to make something besides the paper. In spring 2016, there wasn’t much feminine representation in the cannabis space at the time, so we worked to fix that. Of course now you can’t pass a café without seeing a chalkboard boasting CBD oat milk lattes or whatever, so that representation has gone a long way—including the advent of other cannabis-centric media that veers far outside the original High Times framework. That’s exciting to us!
Have you seen much change in female representation in 420 culture since launching Dope Girls? What are the biggest hurdles towards achieving more equal representation?
Big time! I don’t think the concern is so much female representation as non-white, non-hetero, non-cis representation, among other marginalized groups. We’re super aware we’re two white, hetero, cis women and with that comes a lot of privilege. We always look to learn about and involve people not like us. One of our No. 1 goals with the zine and community is to use both as a platform to elevate traditionally-marginalized voices and stories. We’re not perfect but we sure do try!
What can the everyday smoker be doing to better help the cause?
Be aware of all the—mostly POC—people rotting in prison on nonviolent cannabis-related causes. The fact that the city of Atlanta decriminalized an ounce or less is a step in the right direction but there needs to be more focus on local clemency efforts. Do some homework and be aware of the strife others have had to endure so that you feel safe smoking a joint on your front porch. In general, we really hope people leverage their own privilege to help others out. Donating to bail-out organizations like National Bail Out is great. And if that everyday smoker gains enough clout to ever appear on cannabis-related panels, fight to make sure at least half of the other speakers are either POC or queer or… just not a bunch of white dudes.
How would you describe weed culture here in Atlanta?
In my immediate circles, I think the stigma is pretty much gone. However, my boyfriend is a bro so when we hang with his friends, every once in a while maaaybe one of the dudes will hit my pen—very rarely do the women, which is puzzling. I also live in Southwest Atlanta and the streets are dank 24/7. I realize my opinion is likely a biased one.
What are some things that you would like to see the city work on to destigmatize cannabis?
Obviously, lack of legalization is a major obstacle. Besides the clearly racist tendencies towards particularly black people (a 2013 ACLU study found black people are four times more likely to be arrested for weed than a white person)—which is the most important aspect to highlight—that means we don’t have a lot of confidence in what it is we’re smoking. When our dealer says “this is O.G. Kush” we can kiiinda fact-check on Leafly, but unless you went to cannabis sommelier training (which is real), we don’t have many options besides believing them.
In California, Colorado, and other legal states I’ve visited, there’s precise CBD vs. THC breakdowns on the packaging in addition to a highly (heh) educated budtender staff. I think if people had the option to select strains and dosages better tuned for their bodies and tolerances, they’d have a more positive experience with cannabis. Usually when I talk with folks who don’t like weed, it’s because it makes them paranoid or knocks them out. It doesn’t have to be that way!
Conservative politicians in the South and throughout the country seem hellbent on restricting women’s rights, access to healthcare, and removing bodily autonomy. What concerns you the most about this deluge of anti-abortion legislation?
Oh boy. First, outlawing abortion will not end it. Wealthy people will always have access and those (mostly black, low-income) people living in rural areas are going to try anyway and maybe die in the process. Georgia has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, which worsens as rural hospitals shutter. If politicians force these people to carry their pregnancy to term, they may not even be able to access proper maternal care to do so in a healthy, safe way. The fact that someone who suffers a miscarriage could be eligible for criminal investigation is fucking craven.
I could talk about this forever but I think my most succinct take is that if we start legislating people’s bodies, it’s a slippery slope. And it isn’t white rich people who will suffer.
For someone who isn’t familiar with Dope Girls, how would you describe the zine? What sort of work do you look for when putting an issue together?
Art and content created only by women and non-binary people. Some of it explores cannabis, some feminism and/or sex. Basically we just ask people making work we like if they’d be down and work with them from there.
Can you talk a little about your expansion outside of Atlanta?
Actually our Instagram following has both Atlanta and Los Angeles tied as our most “popular” city. We just threw an event in LA earlier in May with Beats by Dre and our friends who started the new online magazine Cinnamon. We don’t know if we will make a habit of doing much outside of our city, but it was a super positive experience and I’m totally open to it. I just think we owe a certain amount of… something to the American South. People keep fleeing for bluer pastures each time our idiot governor acts a fool (constantly), but that—again—is a privileged reaction. Moving is expensive! Looking for work in a new place can take a while, which requires more money!
Besides, medical just passed in the state recently. You never know!
Are there any plans to increase the number of issues you release?
Not immediately. Both Rachel and I have day jobs outside of Dope Girls and respective, numerous freelance projects. We’re on the biannual model for now.
How and why did you get involved with Estoriafest? Were you involved with any decisions regarding the lineup?
We’re buds with Luis and wanted to partner with him on something fun to kick off summer. Of course we were involved. We painstakingly drank a lot of red wine and cheap beer with him to brainstorm. He did, however, handle the actually booking. That dude is a peach, I’ll tell you what.
What can we look for from Dope Girls in the near future?
In July, we’re partnering with the Plaza to screen Pleasantville (buy tickets now!). We’re also banding with Cinnamon again to curate a Write Club lineup in September, which should be fun. Then the next zine drops in October! So, uh, guess we should start planning that?
Estoriafest goes down tomorrow, Jun. 1, at 97 Estoria in Cabbagetown. Doors open at 2 p.m. Admission is $5. 21+ to enter.
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