The opioid crisis did not just hit headlines, it hit homes, quietly pulling countless lives into its grip. Behind the statistics are real people who found themselves dependent on painkillers they never expected to need. One of them was Lindsay French. In 2001, a car accident left her with chronic pain, and a prescription for fentanyl patches that would lead to a long, painful battle with opioid addiction.
For years, Lindsay lived in survival mode. What began as pain management turned into something far more consuming. “I honestly never thought I would lead a ‘normal’ life again,” she says. But eventually, she reached a point where staying stuck felt more painful than the fear of change.
She began exploring healthier paths. Slowly, she worked her way off the medication and into a new lifestyle, one centered on healing, not just coping. That personal journey led to the founding of Hippie & French, a wellness boutique offering cannabis, functional herbs, and mushrooms as thoughtful alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. But Lindsay’s mission goes far deeper than the products she sells.
Honest Conversations Over Hype
Lindsay knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and unsure. That’s why she built a business on honesty, especially when it comes to helping people find alternatives to painkillers.
“There’s such a stigma around addiction, and even around cannabis,” she says. “Until we let go of that, people will keep suffering in silence.”
Her openness invites others to be honest, too. Hippie & French is not just a store, it’s a space where people feel heard. Whether someone is curious about cannabis for the first time or looking for support during recovery, Lindsay meets them with empathy and no judgment.
Teaching Through Experience
Lindsay’s role today is part educator, part guide. She spends a lot of time helping people understand how cannabis and herbs can support healing if used thoughtfully.
One of her biggest concerns? Making sure first-timers have a good experience. She often guides people toward low-dose options and explains how to start slowly. “If someone has a bad experience, they are probably not going to try again,” she says.
For customers with more intense pain or anxiety, she offers stronger solutions, but always with clear advice on how to use them safely. It’s all based on real-life trial and error.
Serving With Care, Not Pressure
At Hippie & French, there is no upselling, no pushing, and no hype. Lindsay has seen the damage that can come from rushing people into things they are not ready for. She takes the opposite approach, especially when it comes to high-THC edibles.
Many of her customers are dealing with pain, anxiety, or sleep issues. Some are looking for alternatives to pills. Others are just curious. Lindsay offers them stages, starting with gentle, beginner-friendly options and working up to stronger products only when needed.
What Healing Really Looks Like
Though Hippie & French offers cannabis and herbs, it’s trust and transparency that truly define the business. Lindsay never pretends to have all the answers, but she shares what’s worked for her, and what has not, in the hope that others can find their own path.
She believes real healing starts with honesty, with ourselves, and with each other. That’s why she is so committed to changing the conversation around addiction, recovery, and cannabis.
In a world where people are still losing their lives to opioids, Lindsay’s work matters. She is not just offering products, she is offering a different way forward. One that’s rooted in care, choice, and the belief that people deserve support as they figure out what healing looks like for them.
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