The bad wrap on marijuana is losing momentum, courtesy of a long line of cannabis advocates who believe in greater things.

Thanks to activists’ voices over the decades, marijuana has taken root in many people’s lives. Gardens and grow rooms flourish with these beauties for recreational and medicinal use in legalized states.

But if people are finally accepting change, why are there still activists? Just because dispensaries can legally sell wholesale cannabis seeds doesn’t mean the road ahead is clear.

Until marijuana is globally legal, the fight goes on. Discover five famous weed people who aren’t giving up on legalizing the herb, below.

Advocating for the Cannabis Industry is a Culture

With all the reported medical benefits of marijuana, why is it still banned in so many places?

Weed is still illegal in many countries, preventing trade businesses from accessing things like finance. It also denies people the right to use the herb for medical reasons.

Meanwhile, previous cannabis convictions still stand for something now legal in numerous states.

Activists continue to promote awareness and address these complex issues.

But how far does the term cannabis activist or advocate go? Does it only relate to people who wave their pro-weed flag? Or do firm beliefs in marijuana equate to a movement in and of itself?

For many famous weed smokers, open appreciation for the herb was a revolutionary act.

Advocating for marijuana is more than just a fight for legalization, though. It’s a notion that carries strong sentiments about freedom and equality.

Who would’ve thought that people freely enjoyed the benefits of marijuana before the 1900s? Sadly, ignorance and racially-charged government campaigns culminated in “Reefer Madness” in the 1930s and Nixon’s “War on Drugs” in the 1970s.

5 Influential Cannabis Activists

Thousands of people stand up for the rights of cannabis users. Anyone who believes that marijuana is beneficial is an advocate for the herb.

Thanks to influential cannabis activists and popular weed smokers like Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, marijuana shackles are falling.

But some, more than others, actively stand against giants to reconcile peace between humanity and weed. Here are five people who proudly refer to themselves as marijuana advocates. They’re fighting for the rights of consumers, the incarcerated, and the easing of cannabis laws.

1. Keith Stroup

In 1970, Keith Stroup formed the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). He was the executive director until 1979 when 11 states approved the decriminalization of the herb.

To this day, Stroup advocates for marijuana and is the voice behind consumers’ rights. Although stepping down as a NORML executive in 2005, he remains active as legal counsel while giving lectures at colleges.

2. Steve DeAngelo

Steve DeAngelo, known as “The Father of the Legal Cannabis Industry,” has fought for legalization for over forty years. He joined forces with revered activist Jack Herer, promoting cannabis advocacy around the U.S.

By firmly standing up for marijuana reform, DeAngelo now owns one of the biggest dispensaries in the world. He also leads the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform.

3. Willie Nelson

89-year-old Willie Nelson is one of the most famous weed smokers in history. He’s not just a musical legend; for years, he’s stood behind marijuana rights.

Nelson voices his pro-cannabis beliefs in his music. Since 1994, his role as co-chairman on the advisory board of NORML has allowed him to impact marijuana laws further. 

Believing in his philosophy: “My stash is your stash,” Nelsons’ company, Willie’s Reserve, keeps his caring, sharing, and toking tradition going. He often states that “cannabis culture is a way of life” and now owns dispensaries in six states. 

4. Jodie Emery

Fearless, strong-headed, intellectual, and confident often describe Jodie Emery. The Canadian-born marijuana rights activist and politician regularly attended 420 events and global rallies advocating cannabis.

She’s pursued the herb’s legalization since 2004, actively participating in initiatives in the U.S. The former owner of Cannabis Culture even vouched for legal marijuana laws at the 2011 Washington state legislature. 

Emery has stayed out of the limelight for some time but still supports demonstrations fighting for cannabis rights.

5. Lizzy Jeff

Rap priestess and medicine woman Lizzy Jeff takes cannabis healing to new heights. This marijuana activist and spiritualist believes in enhancing lifestyles through plants like weed.

She brings cannabis-based events to communities worldwide to educate them about the plant’s natural healing properties. Through her brand Zen and Kush, she voices her advocacy for marijuana using music, art, and culture.

Historical Figures Who Smoked Weed

Who knew these historical icons with a love for weed would fall under the famous pot smokers list?

• William Shakespeare: Researchers found clay pipes at his home with traces of marijuana.

• Queen Victoria: Her physician prescribed cannabis for her menstrual cramps.

• James Monroe: The fifth U.S. president enjoyed a bit of hashish in his day.

• Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy: Developed therapeutic medication from marijuana in the 1800s.

• Carl Sagan: First secretly advocated for cannabis until later in life, when he openly supported legalization movements.

Is Growing Cannabis a Form of Activism?

Whether you live in a state where growing weed is legal or not, the answer remains no. Let’s break down the difference between activism and advocating:

Activism is a practice of vigorous action or involvement in achieving political goals through demonstrations and protests.

Advocating means speaking or writing in support or defense of a person, cause, (or in this case) plant.

Thanks to decades of weed advocacy, growers now have the freedom to cultivate crops. Hundreds of cannabis seed banks are available, stocking the best strains for recreational and therapeutic needs.

The Love for Weed is Growing

What would the world be like without cannabis advocates? Thanks to these believers, more states are opening up to legalizing cannabis for recreational and medicinal use.

Let your fingers do the talking, and start your herb garden with the finest cannabis seeds from reputable stores. Remember, advocating for marijuana isn’t just a movement; it’s a culture.

Jennifer Gallagher

Jennifer Gallagher, an experienced cannabis grower at SeedSupreme Seedbank. During a 7-year career in the marijuana growing business, Jennifer has gained a high competence in this field. As far as weed is concerned, she knows it all inside out. Jennifer is an expert in pot-growing, as well as cannabis types and their effects. She’s also familiar with all legislation nuances.

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