Written by Ruby of Chi Samui Gardens
My journey with cannabis didn’t start in a typical way. It began in 2010 when I was working in my garden in Garberville, Northern California. I was tending to a greenhouse of Green Crack, watering the plants and sitting beneath the canopy of smart pots. As I sat there, something unexpected happened. A voice entered my head. It wasn’t the kind of thought I’d ever experienced before. The voice told me that she did not like being called "Green Crack." She said her real name was "Foxy Lady." As I looked at her, I understood why. Her leaves were more sativa-dominant, shaggy and psychedelic, with a vibe that reminded me of the 70s. It felt like she was truly speaking to me, and I began to realize that cannabis was far more than just a plant.
I hadn’t heard from her for a while, but during the crash of the California cannabis market, she came back to me. My husband and I had been growing cannabis at an industrial level, but with the market demand and inflation rising, we had to stop our homesteading approach and adapt just to keep up. It was mentally, physically, and spiritually taxing. The magic of the plants, the connection with the community, it all felt stripped away. Homesteaders were leaving the forest, the old ways of working with cannabis were fading, and the soul of the culture was dying.
We had a “soul patch,” as I like to call it—a legacy garden that had been growing since the ‘90s. The same soil, the same beds, and everything hand-watered under the sun. There was something sacred about those gardens. The kids helped, we grew our food, and it felt like a beautiful cycle of life. But with the crash of the market, I found myself sitting in that garden, overwhelmed with confusion and grief for what seemed like the death of our culture. I remember crying, unsure of what would come next. That’s when she spoke to me again.
She told me to stay true to her. She opened up about her spiritual essence, why she manifested as a plant, and why I was meant to work with her. She shared her plan with me. “Don’t give up,” she told me. “You are part of my family. Even in these tough times, trust me. We are not done. Just be patient.” One year later, I found myself in Thailand, working with the plant again in a completely different environment. I was in an incredible garden where we could work with the plant’s energy in an intentional way, far removed from industry standards. It felt like a blessing.
One day, as I was taking clones in the garden, she spoke to me again: “Look... look at where you are now. Do you believe me now? I led you here. Our work begins now.” I knew that it was her voice. I’ve learned to trust it. Now, when I’m in the garden, I know it’s her speaking. “Turn the music off, drop your ego, and maybe you’ll hear something,” I’ve learned to tell myself.
In my work with her, I’ve had a few questions I’ve wanted to ask her:
- What does she want people to call her? I’m not getting a clear answer on that. It feels like it’s less about a name and more about the connection we have.
- Does she think Honeysuckle is doing a good job representing her and the future of cannabis? Yes. She sees that I’m here for the greater good and not for a takeover of her energy, but to complement it. She wants us to build and bond a culture—a family.
- What would her primary message be to the people? She wants people to know that she is a real, living entity here for us. She encourages people to listen, to quiet their minds, and she’ll speak to them. Her message is about natural, respectful cultivation. She wants to be grown with intention—not just for profit. Profit is a natural byproduct of the care and respect we give her. “Take care of me, and I’ll take care of you.”
- What makes her most happy? She thrives when in harmony with nature, existing on earth and flowing with the natural cycles of life.
- What makes her most upset in how she is treated or misused? She’s strong and can put up with a lot, but she reminds us: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” Treat her with respect, and she will reciprocate.
Working with cannabis is more than just a business for me—it’s a spiritual journey. I’ve learned to listen, to hear her voice, and to trust her guidance. As I continue to grow with her, I’m reminded that this journey is about more than profits or trends. It’s about connection, respect, and honoring the plant’s true nature. The work we are doing now is just the beginning, and I know there’s more to come.
About the Author: Ruby Chi
Ruby is the co-founder and cultivator behind Chi Samui Garden, with her husband Chris. Ruby is dedicated to spreading awareness of the plant's spiritual and healing properties while maintaining respect for its natural cycles.
For more on Ruby’s work, visit Chi Samui Gardens. @chisamui_canna and @chisamui
