Brooklyn Homegrown Tobacco | BK Stories

Audrey Silk is a retired New York City police officer and founder of nationally active grassroots smokers' rights organization Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment (C.L.A.S.H.). In this video she talks about the C.L.A.S.H. and walks through the process of growing, harvesting, drying, and smoking homegrown tobacco.
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EDITOR: Lalo Molina
--
This video is from BRIC TV- the first 24/7 television channel created by, for, and about Brooklyn. It is the borough's source for local news, Brooklyn culture, civic affairs, music, arts, sports, and technology. BRIC TV features programming produced and curated by BRIC, an arts and media nonprofit located in Downtown Brooklyn, NYC.
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[@bohemianversace]

I don’t know why this got recommended to me 8 years after it was released but I’m so happy I got to see this. So badass.

[@anthonycatania5613]

yeah YT algorithm been pulling 6+ year old stuff for a month now

[@Rdog760]

@@anthonycatania5613facts

[@raygreeko]

Hahaha I’m right there with you guys, old ass video but I’m here for it. Roll up some sticky in one of those leafs

[@Beast9894]

Inflation

[@noahgenda]

bro, she committed to the game

[@ctcollinthib]

She literally opted to not take part in their system anymore. She couldn't be more badass if she was in Boston harbor dumping tea off ships.

[@philobetto5106]

''More badass''. well' maybe if she taught the bird to say Rauwwt! swriee uerrr Phillip Morris can kiss my feathery WRauuutt! azz!

[@OffGridInvestor]

Pity she didn't cure the tobacco like you're meant to. It will smell weird because she skipped that step.

[@mattw5840]

i was thinking that too@@OffGridInvestor

[@jeffkaczmarek3577]

She retired from the NYPD, that means she's a socialist sponge who has been suckling from the taxpayers from her first day at the academy and will do so until the day of her overly pompus pig funeral parade.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

@@OffGridInvestor fermented tobacco is a choice some people make.

[@onioncontrol]

I grow tobacco and I live in cold rural Washington state. It's the easiest plant I've ever grown from seed. I'm surprised it's so rare for smokers to grow it.

[@undeadpresident]

Ever chew the fresh leaves? I've never tried it but am curious why I've never heard of anyone doing so.

[@sinarrecordsmedia2262]

Are u serious dude?

[@SamanthaIreneYTube]

@@sinarrecordsmedia2262 Yeah thats a bad idea. I had the same question until I learned more about the actual plant. Green tobacco is not safe for consumption. Only after it's dried and fermented does it become consumable.

[@aperson22222]

@@SamanthaIreneYTube It’s not safe for consumption then either.

[@SamanthaIreneYTube]

@@aperson22222 true, but you won’t get Green Tobacco Sickness from consuming dried, fermented tobacco leaves.

[@tdialist]

she was probably 24 in this video

[@chinesechicken20]

Thats funny! There was a girl in highschool I thought was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I saw her after 50 years of smoking. Her skin was like old leather and her voice was a haggish crackle. I couldnt beleive it. My Dad smoked until he was 40 something and then he quit. He died at 100 years.

[@ambientstereorecordings3528]

This woman is a true American hero!

[@lesterross1]

If I grow my own tomatoes and carrots to avoid taxes at the store, does that make me a hero?

[@truantray]

​@@lesterross1you are only a hero if you get emphysema or cancer.

[@oyvey9463]

I quit cigarettes 11 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Apart from the occasional cigar, tobacco is really not a part of my life anymore. That being said, I'm all for people doing what they enjoy, especially when they make it a craft and stick it to the system while doing it. Kudos to Audrey!

[@tiocfaidharla251]

Australia needs to do this. It's like 20 bucks a pack there. Tobacco control isn't about health, it's about taxation. They tax the hell out of anything addictive

[@MrPeachapple]

Man you need to come to Austria. Here you can have 50 plants, no tax. Brew as much beer as you want, no tax ^^

[@tiocfaidharla251]

@@MrPeachapple it's illegal for aussies to grow tobacco. You have to have a heavily restricted permit. Here in the states you can grow it for personal consumption if you want. They even sell seeds at the co-op

[@tiocfaidharla251]

@@MrPeachapple my best bud is Austrian I'd love to visit. I joke around with him and say Austrians are German hillbillies lol

[@MrPeachapple]

@@tiocfaidharla251 yeah we kinda are I guess 😂

[@spaaggetii]

$40+ Dollars AUD nowadays. Australian Governments are fked.

[@brandonachey3791]

You might live in New York, but you have a southern attitude. And I can't tell you how much I love knowing they can speak their mind. an amen and a hell yeah to you.

[@gingerelvira6587]

Thats right if I want to kill myself & make others Pay to kill them selves power to ya

[@chancecstory]

@@gingerelvira6587 Ever considered acting like an adult?

[@noname-yt7uf]

You never heard of a new yorker speaking their mind? 😂🤣

[@nonyobussiness3440]

Tabacco is a tristate thing. CT grows the best wrapping and shade tobacco in the world

[@lightzephyr3399]

Yankee politics and yankee attitudes are often two totally different things. There are a lot of reasons why things are so screwed up in the north east, not just the public.

[@rickcoona]

good on you! that is the American Spirit of independance right there. Grow Your Own!

[@BRICTV]

American Spirit!!!

[@maxm2909]

rickcoona mmmh independance cigars and American spirit

[@TBadalov]

American Spirit of independence is cooperation. Rent it, not own it!

[@Just.a.person59]

This is bad ass! People stepping up and fighting back.

[@LowEndPCGamer100]

WE NEED THIS WOMAN EVERYWHERE!

[@flashfire157]

I used to be a smoker but quit so I can watch my kids grow up and play with them. I personally dislike tobacco and the harm it can do, but more importantly, as an American, I support people's right to choose for themselves. Any law that takes freedom away from people is tyranny and I can't abide. I don't recommend smoking, but grow that shit, woman! Lol

[@naraendrareddy273]

The problem is nicotine. It makes one addicted.

[@tofan2622]

I do want to point out there is a grand difference in home grown tobacco vs store bought. The chemicals added and from the process used to cure by major tobacco chains is what kills us.

[@patrickalmeda9537]

organic tobacco is not bad on the contrary it has several health benefits what is bad and tobacco adulterated by humans....

[@-whackd]

The original surgeon General's report did not include cigars as correlated to cancer because nearly all cigars back then were 100% tobacco leaf without any added chemicals. Cigarettes bought from the major manufacturers are full of added chemicals.

[@brittanycunningham787]

​@naraendrareddy273 nicotine is actually perfectly fine for you and studies show it's beneficial, it's all the other crap that's in cigarettes. Natural tabbaco like this is ok every now and then.

[@tonytwobins4964]

I'm from Yorkshire England .I've got some golden Virginia planted in trays. It grows well over here.

[@ITSMEAGAIN1]

I'VE GROWN GOLDEN VIRGINIA TOO FOR THE 1ST TIME THIS YEAR. I'VE JUST GROUND SOME UP TO TASTE IT BUT ITS VERY WEAK.I THINK I NEED TO BLEND IT WITH OTHER VARIETIES. GOOD LOOK. MINE ARE MASSIVE. I HAVE THEM IN 5L POTS AND THEY'RE ABOUT 6FT.

[@noahvelasquez9033]

props to you! for standing up for self and doing what you think is best, and right for you.

[@metalboy00]

Good to see Joey Belladonna has found a knack for gardening

[@ryryshreds6583]

G Walker bruh that about killed me omg 😂😂😂

[@protectyourneck3042]

Whats sad is most people wont understand such a gold joke

[@carljohnson2234]

She’s Caught In A Mosh!

[@metalboy00]

Kiss711 ITS A GREENHOUSE!

[@metalboy00]

Carl Johnson KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. THE GARDENING CONVENTION

[@heyimyui8639]

ive really been looking into growing my own, and now that ive seen how easy it is, i will.

[@matrixhypnosis]

any luck?

[@Mr_Zzzeee]

How did it go?

[@firework40]

I grow my tobacco in tent with leds

[@BRICTV]

Whoa!

[@vaasavalttu4709]

mä aatelin et tääl ei oo ollenkaa suomalaisia

[@Ender3Me]

WEED

[@oldsailor4143]

vaasa valttu Mene töihin ;)

[@onioncontrol]

Lel that's pretty cool. If I was putting that much effort into my garden I'd be growing more intoxicating smoking herbs nudge nidge

[@PhillyyintheCutty]

Thats great. Organic Tobacco. She doesn't have to worry about it being sprayed with countless amounts of chemicals and she knows exactly what it is and how it was grown.

[@harryclint6170]

Here in southern Ohio/northern Kentucky, been doing this for 20 years with my two friends. Got guidance from some retired tobacco graders that worked for United States Tobacco ( UST). Best cigarettes in town. Maybe in the region. Working on a Nat Sherman blend.

[@chrisbuckley1785]

Why did KZbin randomly recommend this to me. Lol. Hope this badass is still sticking it to the man.

[@SA-xf1eb]

Good for you. As a Libertarian, I stand with you.

[@christinakaur8766]

I'm growing tobacco for the first time this year. They're thriving here in CO. This was very informative. Can't wait to harvest and enjoy.

[@user-kx2kb9dq3j]

How’s your grow going and any tips you learned?

[@rodm2345]

​@user-kx2kb9dq3j did you try it out?

[@JamesGaoist]

Man. I stopped cigs for a while but seeing her take a drag of a jack/square makes me want one. The whole taste and rough sensation of a smoke 💨

[@h2oquality2010]

More power to you. I've had enough of this too. If you can grow it in Brooklyn, then I should be able to grow it in Southern California.

[@adambreaux5033]

Friking awsome thanks for the info!!🙏

[@ynbl_ma]

I don’t like tobacco. I hate it. But I like how this lady is standing up for herself. Salute!

[@abergethirty]

Of course her tobacco doesn't have strange additives like ammonia or asbestos.

[@mrflufay5236]

Even cigarettes dont have asbestos. Its just a myth, like fiberglass in dip and chewing tobacco.

[@surplusdriller1]

you dumb fuck. ammonia as a gas that is given of in the fermentation prosess not added. asbestos hahahahaha just ignorant.

[@Yotaciv]

surplusdriller1 They do add ammonia to cigarette to aid in nicotine absorption.

[@surplusdriller1]

you do know ammonia is a gas with a boiling point of -33C so no its not ammonia in cigarettes

[@netbatchin35]

@@surplusdriller1 ammonia is in piss. you can also buy big bottles of that stuff.

[@grayphotojournal]

in the southern US many grew up cropping fields of tobacco as their first job, usually before a driver's license - tobacco farms were everywhere in ENC -not very many tobacco fields to really count nowadays

[@bobthenob9017]

Massive respect, hope your plants thrive ❤

[@mikeohagan2206]

when i visited Kentucky in 1980 a lot of rural folks grew their own tobacco and weed. it was a dry county and you had to buy beer off of the sheriffs brother. behind the gas station. if you wanted shine you bought it from an old feller. he lived in a small house behind a mansion.

[@onestar1017]

Bout to start growing some this coming spring! Cant wait

[@medianoche3]

She's one of the healthiest smokers in America since she's growing her own. The amount of chemicals they spray on tobacco for "flavour" is ridiculous, and a huge part of withdrawal symptoms when people quit. Nicotine may be addictive, but it's not half as bad as the crap they add.

[@skippy07460]

thanks for sharing

[@lindseyzacek5211]

I'm actually going to add a small amount of tobacco plants in my garden this year I want to get the hands-on experience of what it's like to be a cigar roller wish me luck

[@scupd]

dont bother. for making a cigar you have to ferment and age (could take years) the leaf before rolling them. its a difficult process, you better off making cigs

[@elijahwilson1422]

Very cool and lots of respect to them for growing their own.

[@kraptastic333]

this droning background string music is awesome and fitting for the craft

[@LindaDooWop]

Love this girl!

[@AlexisRosario]

African Grey is one of my favorite bird! Very sweet and honest video, thank you

[@jockwoodsman]

Good for you! Tobacco taxes are outrageous in N.Y. add NYC tax on top of that. I believe it's $15-16 dollars for a pack of cigarettes in NYC now in July 2021. I admire what you are doing, good luck to you

[@James-xj4xu]

Can’t say anything until you’re paying between $40-60 a pack

[@angusgreeneyeslefay9485]

Bless you Audrey .subscribed of course.

[@scottmartin8888]

I have been waiting and spending too much money, for too long, not to do this myself. I love to grow plants anyway.

[@lovesupreme6154]

Did you start yet? If so, how's it going? Did you buy organic seed?

[@barlas2740]

Hey it’s been a year hows it been going?

[@Mr_Zzzeee]

It's been 4 years, hows it been going?

[@danorides]

this is outstanding!

[@Coyormr]

Im not really for people smoking cigarettes, having been a chain smoker for a decade. And knowing how bad it messes your lungs up. Its a terrible addiction. But this person is doing it the best way. Thats natural tobacco with none of the terrible additives. If you're going to be a smoker this is it. I would not reccomend that anyone starts though.

[@toecutter8002]

I bet her tabacco is great to smoke no harsh chemicals and a real natural taste escape flavor.

[@Wayzor_]

That will still fking kill you.

[@markyegge644]

I'm a non-smoker. God bless you for standing up for human rights. My sister stopped smoking but in the early stages of this bullshit, when she went into a restaurant and was asked if she wanted to sit in the smoking or non-smoking section, she would always say I want to sit in the smoking section so that I can blow smoke in their faces while eat and smoke.

[@5150ThisIsBaitPYSCH]

id puke if your dusty old sister blew her hot air in my face. disgusting regardless of the cigarette smoke

[@idacow8237]

love the bird.. gonna grow my own next year. too late this year to start a crop in Canada

[@jakoborzelli9082]

This is great keep up the good work

[@georgeabraham7256]

Awesome sauce!

[@tomstanfield7102]

I don't smoke tobacco anymore but that was very interesting, and she is a Rock Star in my book. You go girl!

[@narannavan]

8 years later this pops up for me. I would do this, if i smoked. Power to her.

[@lovesupreme6154]

My spring project will be growing my own organic mullein and organic tobacco.

[@danielmanly4793]

I am waiting for a NY citizen to show their poppy grow, then I will be impressed..

[@RaraAvis1138]

Anything against big busness im all for. Great job!

[@Mark-sd4hv]

Government: !!!!! You: I don't remember asking you a GOT DAM THANG

[@spaaggetii]

Good ON you! I live in Australia, and we smokers are DEMONISED for our choice of wanting to smoke Tobacco. It costs me $53+ AUD for a 25gram pouch of tobacco. I roll my own cigarettes. It would costs over $55+ AUD to buy a pack of 50 Tailors (already pre made cigarettes) Well actually probably more. Every year, our Cigarette prices go up 1-2 or more dollars AUD. The government taxes over 50 percent and take the money. If they really wanted people to quit, they would offer subsidised quit plans, etc. A 7 day pack of nicotine patches are $40 dollars AUD, these release not even 1 mg of nicotine per hour and take 8 hours minimum to start working. These work for some, but not for everyone. Then they have all the other nicotine replacement options, all are overpriced. You are looking at a minimum of $50AUD for a "starter pack" of 20 nicotine capsules and the white breather (not vape), it's a plastic breathing item you open and put a nicotine capsule/cartridge in. I brought some seeds 2 years ago. I havn't planted or tried to yet,. but I am going to soon once winter is almost over. Alcohol is the biggest drug out there. Causes the most problems, but it's "LEGAL" you can brew it in MOST places legally in this world, but yet Tobacco is the sinners choice they make it out.

[@Glori11133]

That is a complete disgrace! The government want to be ashamed of themselves daylight robbery that is!

[@_mycotroph]

Is it really your choice though? Maybe the first one was a choice, the second one, the second pack, but I know for me personally it's a ride I cannot get off of. I hate nicotine but I cannot stop

[@cigarsparrow]

I just picked a few leaves this morning. Brooklyn, we up!! I'm gonna try rolling my own cigars

[@RichardPeterMaritz]

Wow amazing the tobacco plant is actually a special plant

[@dhuy-ti9os]

Nice segment 🎉

[@5urg3x]

You know the leaf is ready when it starts to look like a smoker’s skin 🤣

[@martijnvankatwijk6846]

Thinking of doing this also . Here in The Netherlands the prices are going nuts . I have a garden but no basement :( and to hang those leaves in my living room goes a little bit too far for me 😂

[@deville.c]

I love this video

[@deville.c]

I like your tobacco press ... Make more videos Thank you The bird is cool too

[@itawambamingo]

Love it!

[@stilltlrforlife]

I'm all about doing this, basically free tobacco, just buy filter tubes and a roller..no chemicals either. This is what it may come to in the future for us smokers anyway.

[@damionshort759]

all people who hat on tobacco smokers they have a right to do it some of them aren't even addicted they just enjoy the ritual such as myself hell I've gone weeks without smoking it doesn't bother me one bit

[@jamesluck2969]

Damion Short, I smoke a pipe as a treat almost every once in awhile. It's a shame people have been taught to rule more then themselfs

[@AnyMotoUSA]

Tobacco when used right is simply medicine for the spirit

[@teemann8379]

Very cool i always wanted to grow my own wraps

[@jkrofchick90]

I grow my own . Best cigarettes I have smoked were my own homegrown . There’s no “reconstituted” tobacco in my homegrown . Commercial cigarettes are around 50 percent recon tobacco. Basically everything you shouldn’t smoke on a tobacco plant (stems veins and poor quality leaf that is half eaten by bugs) or scraps that fall on the floor is liquified and a bunch of chemicals to help “smooth” the flavor and increase nicotine absorption. They spray the liquid garbage tobacco onto a roller and cut it up and pretend it’s tobacco. That’s most likely where 90 percent of the carcinogens come from. I’ll stick to my own homegrown. Just DO NOT SELL IT ! Cause that will get you a charge from the atf .

[@dirtpounder]

Used to know a guy who'd bring in an empty big name pack with his home grown-and-rolled cigarettes to the gas station every so often. It was magic to us working there, that stuff tastes and smells infinitely better than the stuff you buy. Could almost chew on the rich taste...

[@charlesburns3946]

Hi Audrey. Nice vid. Nice looking tobacco

[@bullsnutsoz]

Good ol american know how plus a great stuff u I will do it myself attitude.Love it..from Australia.

[@tallunique]

Fabulous! And, far healthier than the alternative.

[@JackHernandezGentlemanJack]

She's a really cool lady.

[@id15yes3]

Funny, that I found tobacco sorts to grow are so good, it's impossible to buy comparable for any money. Still, I prefer to grow tomatoes and melons (those are also better, than those in shops).

[@Shaqster77]

Good point! ❤

[@saltyapostle44]

Kudos to her. That being said - smoking cigarettes for 20+ years was a terrible mistake I regret. I took Chantix to quit about 12 years ago. Whatever you have to do to stop smoking - do it.

[@balmorallnokia4006]

Good for her, she looks really healthy.

[@atlassadsad7422]

Lolllll don't lie

[@oldsailor4143]

Brett Allen But she does... Fucking idiot.

[@jessarellanes6648]

Very good

[@SOMUCHTROUBLEINTHEWORLD]

Best video ever respect I love smoking

[@texastourist1161]

This lady is great!

[@carbonmolecules4504]

All that talk of sticking it to the man and she has a pack of purchased cigarettes right next to her lmao 🤣

[@mssavedin92]

Great video. Just wondering, you grow it, harvest leaves, string them up, wait till theyre all brown, then de-vein then shred? Do you now have to cure it? Thankyou

[@chinesechicken20]

In Canada, we pay high taxes on tobacco, beer, cannabis and liquor sold in stores. Canadians can grow 50 lbs a year of tobacco for their own consumption. You can brew your own beer. You can grow 4 plants of cannabis at a time per person. You can distill your own liquor too, but thats a bit funny in Canada, the law isnt clear on if its legal or not. I know in some American states you can buy a tax stamp and that lets you distill, but in Canada its a Grey area. So, for most vices or habits, if you prefer, you can DIY and save a ton of money that you would have paid in taxes. And these become hobbies that you enjoy doing while you save money. I myself have started brewing beer and its fun and I save about 75% over buying from the store. But some would rather complain about the taxes than DIY. Enjoy!

[@keatonsparksvideoproductions]

Plus, wouldn't this be a lot better for you cause it's not full of pesticides and chemicals tobacco companies put in theirs

[@FurthermoreJack]

And seed strains that are in in factually "medicinal" in buzz

[@kaywood43]

Great video. If people choose to smoke, that's their right. As far as the "why don't you quit" comments-these people should take a look in the mirror and they'll probably see someone who could do a lot to improve their own life.

[@JinnYoungKim]

Those Nazis don't know about Einstein smoked a pipe. Cigarettes have tarnished all.

[@TehBudWhisperer]

why don't you quit

[@Xxxxxrrr6464]

Cool thanks

[@VirginiaWolf88]

She's awesome.

[@IIrandhandleII]

Where did you get that audio track?? Badass!!

[@duanelappe9767]

Fun stuff

[@jerrycaughman6324]

Seems like a great crop to prep with.

[@redfritz3356]

That is so inspiring! I have chewing nicotine gum for month in South Africa where tobacco is banned during the corona virus lock down.

[@GodfriedFritz]

Red Fritz I am in South Africa. Buy your own tobacco seed and grow your own. I have just received mine from Glen Seed.

[@undeadpresident]

There are also some tobacco-free nicotine pouches like Zyn and Velo that are on the market which many prefer to the gum and are usually cheaper.

[@upnorthvlogs]

I totally get it. They tax the hell out of us I chew to Copenhagen myself and they tax it bad in Minnesota.

[@lucyfuir6386]

That is really cool that lady took the Marijuana method. GROW YOUR OWN.

[@FeverDreamRemix]

I'm standing up for myself by quitting. I just started chantix yesterday. Wish me luck.🤞🏻

[@TjasseMartins-qe8im]

Legend. Stand up for your rights ✊🏼

[@hellrazor117]

As a teenager I was a part of the RYO community. Then I realized the other people were middle aged, unhealthy, broke weirdos and quit smoking altogether.

[@zakadams762]

I respect her

[@soraloyard8768]

We do this in Philippines too. but we roll it on dried java plum leaves no chemicals just pure organic

[@Patsfball]

U want green and mature. They will go yellow past prime I want green right b4 yellow. Peak prime If.done right u will get ur yellow quickly

[@moncorp1]

Anything that sticks it to the nanny state, I'm all for.

[@Smashy2009]

Also it is free from added chemicals. I have been smoking for almost 4 years now, i´m in my second grow and i feel a lot better, my lungs have recovered quiet a bit. It might kill me some day, i ain´t paying a tax on that.