[Interview] Michka: the grande dame of cannabis reveals herself

Michka's new book isn't a book about cannabis. Michka, the Grand Dame of Cannabis, Reveals Herself, is a positive and spiritual book about the life of a woman who grew up in a middle-class household, who is devoted to men, her children, nature, and pleasure, and who is searching for a faith that can rebuild her life; the book takes us back to certain moments in her life.

Above all, it paints a portrait of a free-spirited woman who became a cannabis icon without ever seeking to be one.

NWD: Michka, as you’ve explained, cannabis has been a part of your life. Nevertheless, I get the impression that you became this leading figure in the cannabis world almost by chance—if one can believe that—in any case, by bringing down the prohibitionist of the time, Gabriel Nahas. Do you see it that way, too?

Michka: Cannabis has been a part of my life for a very long time. We met in the early 1970s, and I knew right away that I’d found an ally.

Over the years, I have written several books about the Herb. The first of these, The Green File on a "Soft" Drug, published in 1978, reflects the enthusiasm I felt at the time. For anyone who took the trouble to think about it, it was clear that «Indian hemp»—as it had long been called—did not pose a major problem. A few pages were indeed devoted to a medical professor named Gabriel Nahas, who was misusing science to further his anti-cannabis crusade; but I was certain that decriminalization was just around the corner…

But the exact opposite happened! France plunged into a dark period that’s hard to imagine today. For a decade, marijuana and hashish were completely off-limits. Police raided major bookstores, threatening salespeople with legal action if they displayed books «portraying drugs in a favorable light.» This was a deliberately vague formulation that lent itself to all sorts of abuses. I myself was taken to the Quai des Orfèvres, sirens blaring, because of the cover of a small book that depicted Eve clad in a hemp leaf…  So when, in the mid-1990s, Dr. Bertrand Lebeau—who was a journalist at the time—showed up at one of our lunches waving papers that shed light on the method Gabriel Nahas used to infiltrate the Academy of Medicine, the media, and political circles, I got really angry and wrote a scathing article… for which Professor Nahas sued me. So yes, I was thrust into the arena.

Of course, this trial is no coincidence given that Sensi Seeds did me the honor of creating, in 2017, a strain named after me—the Michka—in recognition of my «outstanding contribution to cannabis knowledge.» They made sure it was a strain just the way I like it—a Haze with a very clear high. Yet another gift from my friend, weed.

NWD: Gabriel Nahas's legacy lives on in the person of Jean Costentin, who remains the only French scientist still able to speak about the escalation theory, an argument that was, however, refuted in the 1970s. Have you ever felt the urge to write about this again—and so bluntly—after you were sentenced to pay a symbolic 1 franc?

M: I put a lot of myself into that trial. When it was over, I left with my kids and their father for my «cabin» in Canada, and I immersed myself in nature, in the vast forest, relieved not to have to hear the word «cannabis» anymore and to be able to think about something else. I really needed a break.

But this trial taught me a lot. Professor Nahas's strategy (May he rest in peace!) consisted of organizing press conferences to present poorly conducted studies that «demonstrated» the dangers of cannabis. This pseudoscience suited the interests of those in power, so the professor was protected. So much so that he had even managed to publish an article riddled with gross errors in a reputable peer-reviewed scientific journal—a process specifically designed to prevent such blunders. I learned a great deal about the manipulation of public opinion.

NWD: In this case, you’re joined by people who, even today, still carry a certain influence in the cannabis community—Francis Caballero and Bertrand Lebeau. You say you’ve never been a member of any of these associations, and you must realize today that they lack the necessary scale to influence regulations. How would you describe the situation in France, both in terms of the political landscape and activist efforts?

M: Actually, I did sign up—symbolically—with the organizations of the time. But I’m a bit of a free spirit; I like being able to improvise. Two highly motivated people—three at most—can often achieve remarkable results using guerrilla tactics, without the red tape of a formal organization. In any case, that’s the approach that works for me. For me, it’s more fun and more effective.

I am deeply convinced that the most prominent politicians are merely a facade, that the real issues are played out elsewhere, which is why the political arena does not interest me. What motivates me is participating in profound societal transformations—accelerating our transition from a competitive, violent world, where some still choose to wage war, to a cooperative and compassionate world, where everyone is aware of the unity of all living things.

NWD: It’s hard to imagine the wild atmosphere of the Cannabis Cups back then. You had the opportunity to meet the biggest names in cannabis—the Nevils, Ben Dronkers, Jack Herrer, Dennis Peron… names known only to activists and growers. How can we carry on their legacy and spread their story?

M: In the very early 1990s, for someone like me who lived in a heavily repressive France, discovering Amsterdam’s atmosphere—which was completely tolerant at the time—was a magical experience. The coffee shops—which were very numerous at the time—offered the world a striking demonstration: yes, it was possible to operate out in the open and sell weed just like any other product. It was a first!

These Cannabis Cups were organized in Amsterdam by the magazine High Times, who would invite the great American pioneers of the time to join us there. So every November, it was a joyful celebration, during which we sampled, among other gems, the legendary strains developed by Nevil, such as the unforgettable Neville Haze of that era.

It was in the company of Dennis Peron—who was a key architect of the first legalization of medical cannabis in 1996—that I had an epiphany that very year: the best way for me to serve the cause… was no longer to write books appealing to reason, but to lay bare my life and my relationship with this controversial plant. That’s what gave rise to a series, including The Grand Dame of Cannabis Reveals Herself is the new episode.

Having lived through those years, I help keep their memory alive.

NWD: You edited the biography of Mila, the Queen of Hash. I just reread his interview, and I realize that you share certain life experiences: «You’ve fallen in love several times, had several children as well […] and you’ve always kept moving forward.» Is that what makes your friendship so special?

M: Women are still few and far between in the THC side of the cannabis world. When I first met Mila, in the very late 1980s, there were only a handful of us. I remember that the first time we met, we talked about books. Twenty-five years later, it’s especially rewarding to publish her beautiful autobiography. Roughly the same age, we share a love of plants and freedom, we have a sense of adventure, and we remain determined to do what we love.

NWD: You’re a grandmother now, and you were already using cannabis when you were a mother. How did you broach this subject with your children and then your grandchildren?

M: With my children, as long as they were too young to understand what it was all about, the only rule was not to talk about it outside the house. Later, when they were old enough to understand, I made sure to teach them a few basic principles. Cigarettes are more addictive than cannabis. So don’t mix them. If you want to smoke tobacco, smoke it alone, separately. And make sure it doesn’t contain any additives.

With my grandchildren, I'm open and honest, just as I was with my children.

NWD: One sentence really stuck with me. You talk about spontaneous travel, the unexpected, and discovery as an «activity that brings you into contact with friendly people, because others just go on their way.» Isn’t that, ultimately, what has guided you up to now? Do positive vibes protect us from negative ones, or do they just make us ignore them?

M: Making sure we’re surrounded by positive energy is essential. Because the famous «law of attraction» (we attract what we are) means that when we’re in a positive state of mind, we attract pleasant events and people. This is what I call «spiritual ecology»: being mindful of the quality of the thoughts we allow into our minds and the emotions we allow into our bodies. By focusing exclusively on what truly nourishes us deep down, we create the new world we aspire to.

NWD: You've already lived 10 lives and are eagerly awaiting your 11th. What can we wish for you, Michka?

M: Readers—both men and women—who are inspired by my book. New adventures that take me to uncharted territories. Traveling companions with whom I can journey joyfully…

Michka, the grand dame of cannabis, is now and already available as an e-book and will be available in print starting June 16, 2020, at retailers listed here..