High Aspirations: Zac’s Journey with Cannabis.
I've been watching the cannabis space evolve on various social platforms over the years, primarily through overseas creators. These creators often showcase who they are, and their interests, and blend this with the subtleties of cannabis use. I appreciate this approach—it doesn’t carry that full "stoner" vibe, though I do enjoy watching big bong rips and fat dabs. What I enjoy most is content where I can learn, connect with the creator’s personality, and see them openly express their passion for the plant.
In Australia, we don’t see this as much—the idea of a creator running, surfing, eating or walking dogs, then showing themselves with a joint before their activity, or taking a gummy and heading to a public space to interact with people. A few do embrace this approach. Ivan Uzi for instance, a hip-hop creator, went viral for his incredible cooking while subtly acknowledging his cannabis consumption at the start of his clips over at @yungcookgod_. Through my endless doom-scrolling, I came across Zac Attack, a guy living in the heart of Melbourne who reviews food and enjoys cannabis. I knew I had to reach out to him and learn more about his story.
When I hit up Zac, his enthusiasm practically jumped through the DM. Our conversation brought out a familiar yet unique story, which I feel will be a running theme with most people I meet in this space. Zac is a young actor and DJ living in Melbourne’s CBD. His enthusiasm for life, trying new things, and making the most of every moment is refreshing. Originally from regional Victoria, Zac admits cannabis wasn't a common topic; in rural communities, it's often harder to find, and there’s always the risk of being labelled as "the stoner" in the family. Trying it at a few parties, he liked it, but the thought of getting caught driving with cannabis could be detrimental to his career and livelihood.
Zac moved to Melbourne just after COVID hit, and having mates nearby allowed them to catch up and hang out. This was when Zac began consuming cannabis more frequently with friends. He admits he didn’t feel much at first—he even jokes about hitting eight cones and not feeling a thing but still managing to demolish a bag of Skittles, I suspect something was going on aha! As he experimented more, Zac also began researching cannabis—its effects, the culture in the States, and the openness some of his favourite music artists had around cannabis. With all this new knowledge and mindful consumption, Zac found he enjoyed cannabis. It led him to drink less, be more creative with his videos, and generally like who he was becoming. Cannabis became a tool that allowed him to live more consciously and positively.
Over time, Zac decided he wanted to be open with his parents about his cannabis use and become more visible about it on Instagram. Preparing himself, he spoke with his mum first, who was open-minded and understanding, though she advised him to hold off on telling his father. But Zac, fearless in his approach, wasn’t worried about judgment—he simply wanted to reassure them this wasn’t a phase or something that would derail his life. He’d done his research, was speaking to a doctor, and saw this as a positive aspect of his life. His honesty was well-received, with only a few concerns, but nothing that strained their relationship.
Zac knows not everyone sees cannabis as we do, but he wanted to be an ambassador for the culture. Being new to Melbourne and finally out of lockdown, he decided to showcase his love for cannabis and Melbourne’s food scene. For fans of Action Bronson and his series “F*ck That’s Delicious”, this type of engagement is always a hit in the cannabis community. Zac is unique, unafraid of judgment, and authentically himself, which has helped him grow a following from his weekly videos. It goes to show that when you set aside what others "might" think of you, you often find a community that respects and appreciates you. I believe the cannabis community embodies that spirit: if you’re authentic, you’ll earn respect.
In my chat with Zac, what struck me most was his pure passion for following his dreams on his terms. He’s actively working to remove the stigma around cannabis while pursuing his goals in acting and DJ’ing, all while balancing a day job. I look forward to heading to Melbourne, grabbing a bite with Zac, and sparking up. I can’t wait to see where he ends up, but I’m confident that whatever he achieves, it’s because he’s following his own path.
Be sure to give Zac a follow and watch the content he creates, this kid is going places!! @Zacattack.007
