All photos courtesy of @WhereYouSmoke

@WhereYouSmoke sprouted in a moment shared between a spliff and the great outdoors. Run by an anonymous artist who grew up in LA, the Instagram account and online platform celebrates cannabis lovers who like to light up alongside Mother Nature.

In a new-ish column, we’ve asked @WhereYouSmoke to share a few of his favorite Instagram uploads with MERRY JANE each week. On top of shouting out the photographers, he’ll be chatting with his fellow outdoor smokers about the backstory behind each pic, as well as what exactly makes cannabis and nature such a damn inspiring combo. To celebrate 4/20 a little early, @WhereYouSmoke put together a special version of the column and also shared this memory with MERRY JANE to help bring in the upcoming holidaze proper:

On a cold evening in New York, me and my girlfriend were smoking a doobie and watching How Stella Got Her Groove Back. About 25 minutes into the film, we decided we needed to go to Jamaica — and soon! We booked our tickets to Negril that night, and left the following week for a five-day trip.

Once we touched down, we gathered our bags and hailed a cab. The moment we entered the taxi, our driver handed us a six-pack of Red Stripe and started blasting some dancehall. After getting a few laughs out of each other, I popped the question: Where can I cop some herb around here? The driver replied “Oh, let me pull up to my friends.”

He brought us to a shack before getting out the car and disappearing for a solid 15 minutes (we assumed he was smoking one himself). Soon, we started to worry he wasn’t coming back and that we’d been hustled. But sure enough, the driver eventually returned to the car. In his hands was a huge branch with easily over an ounce of weed hanging from it. The bud smoked great and the lil backroads errand was the perfect start to our adventure. With 4/20 just around the corner, I like to reflect fondly on this memory. If I could go back and kick it with that cab driver again this holiday, you know I’d book my ticket to Jamaica ASAP!

All interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

@namas_tay3
Photo Taken in Maui on 4/20/2016

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@namas_tay3: This photo was taken in Maui, Hawaii on a vacation with my boyfriend. We drove around the island on the West Side Maui loop. Driving around Maui has the most pristine views with many spots to stop off and have a nice chong sesh.

What types of benefits does cannabis offer you?
Weed has positively benefited my life and my creativity in more ways than one, but most specifically it has helped me medically. For as long as I can remember, I’ve gotten migraines. They're awful and nothing helps — except marijuana.

What’s your absolute favorite part of smoking in nature?
I think the best part about chonging in nature would be the deep connection I develop with Mother Earth's beauty. I appreciate the ground beneath my feet, the trees around me, and, in the case of the above photo, the beautiful ocean reminding me just how small we truly are. Bottom line: it reminds me to be present and appreciate the little things around you daily.

Tell me about last year's 4/20, and how you think it will compare to this year.
Last year’s 4/20 was pretty mellow — as one hopes 420 will be. I had just moved to the Lake Tahoe area and it was a BEAUTIFUL day, not a cloud in sight. In the early morning, my boyfriend and I hiked to the top of a fire lookout that’s in our backyard, with views of the entire lake — all of it. It was spectacular! We each had a face joint (one for each person). A great way to start the day for sure. As far as how it’s going to compare to this year’s 4/20, this year will definitely be better!  Now that I have access to medicinal marijuana products, CBD, edibles, you name it, the possibilities are endless for this year’s holidaze.

Do you have any 4/20 traditions? What are they?
Yes, I mean doesn’t everyone??? I definitely wake up and smoke a fatty no matter what time it is. Then, depending if 420 falls on a work day or not, I basically just chong j’s all day long lol. After work, I'll go on a hike or get outside! But no matter what, I always always always do yoga on 420. I’ll smoke a j before, then really go inward with my practice, and just flow for however long. Each 420 I manifest things I want to bring into my life, and release anything and everything that no longer serves me, and let go of whatever is inhibiting me from becoming my highest true self. Sorta like a new year but for weed – spring cleansing! I will say, a new tradition that will start this year will be having some sort of edible with my breakfast in addition to my joint.

@zachgibson_
24-Years-Old
Photo Taken at 420 Hallow in South Dakota, on 4/20/2015

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@zachgibson_: This photo was taken in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota. This canyon started forming approximately 60 million years ago, making it one of the oldest canyons in the world. Pretty crazy to think about when the Grand Canyon is only 6 million years old. This hike is called 420 Hallow by the locals and has a short poem to go along with it: "You hiked up this hill with the burning need. To sit in this hole and smoke some weed. If you brought some water, take a swallow. Relax and enjoy 420 Hallow."

Is this a favorite hike of yours? Do you have a favorite smoke spot besides this one?
I wouldn't say this is my favorite hike, but it is a short and sweet one that I like to visit from time to time. I would definitely say smoking enhances my outdoor experiences. Whether it's a fat blunt with a view, or a fresh bowl after a day of climbing, you can always bet on me to have a few buds in my pocket. I can't say that I have a favorite smoke spot because the Black Hills of South Dakota offer so many diverse and unique places to enjoy the outdoors. If you travel 70 miles south of here, you can visit some of our founding fathers at the Mount Rushmore National Monument. If you want to take a trip here, plan to stay awhile. There's so much to do with lakes, canyons, caves, and more.

You seem to be outdoors regardless of the climate. Do you prefer to smoke in any particular season?
I definitely like to smoke in the warmth of sun over the cold. Winters here can be pretty harsh at times, but the snow adds a beauty to this place that I wouldn't give up for anything. This place is a must-see in every season. So if you ever find a way out here, look me up and I could show you around this beautiful area!

@emery.a_
21-Years-Old
Photo Taken in NYC in 2015

@WhereYouSmoke: Where was this photo taken?
@emery.a_: This photo was taken on the rooftop of an apartment building on West 4th St. I was with a few friends at a buddy’s apartment, and we went up to the rooftop to catch the sunset while smoking a spliff. It was our usual smoke spot in NYC during high school.

What are your plans for 4/20 this week?
This 4/20 I plan to wake and bake, settle in with some breakfast, and see where the day takes me.

Do you remember having a favorite 4/20 experience? Tell me about it.
One of my most memorable 4/20's was smoking a joint while doing my friend’s homework at 7 AM on his rooftop before school. Undoubtedly, his answers were wrong, but at least he got the assignment in.

Do you have any 4/20 traditions? What are they?
As much as I enjoy the holiday, 4/20 has become less exciting. When I was younger, there was a bit more enthusiasm and eagerness for the holiday, similar to Christmas Eve, whereas now, it is more expected.

When smoking in a city, do you try and find the most serene or nature-filled areas, or do you just like to be outside?
When smoking in a city, I like smoking in a comfortable, peaceful setting, and preferably with views like the one in this photo. A setting like this is not so easy to find, both in and out of the city. In New York, it can be hard to find such a place, but when you do you should take a photo to remember it.

What’s your favorite bud-themed song — something you’ll listen to this holiday?
Sublime’s “Smoke Two Joints”!

If you like to photograph your outdoor smoking adventures, check out the submission page at www.whereyousmoke.com. And follow @WhereYouSmoke on Instagram.