Cannabis Activists/Advocates

Although this plant always had many fans, cannabis hasn't always had a positive image. Various reasons contributed to this herb becoming illegal. The fact that people didn't have many options to inform themselves about marijuana's benefits led to many thinking this plant is bad news. That's why it was up to cannabis activists and advocates to right that wrong and ensures weed gets back the image it deserves.

Checking out any marijuana legality map will provide proof that this campaign is delivering results. In the United States, most states consider cannabis fully legalized or at least allowed for medical use. Countries throughout the world are relaxing their weed-related regulations, too.

It's even more important that potential users can easily find sources for accurate marijuana information. The public has never been more aware of potential cannabis benefits, which indicates this herb's image is considerably improved.

The industry can thank weed activists for those results. In this article, we'll meet some of the most influential people in the cannabis industry, as well as celebrities who are marijuana advocates and passionate users.

A Brief History of the Formation of the Cannabis Culture

What comes to mind when you say cannabis culture? The experts define it as the general atmosphere and behaviors related to marijuana consumption in society. In other words, it's what people usually think when you mention weed.

According to historians, they associated marijuana with spiritual experiences throughout Asia, including China, India, etc. Some traditional cultures used to consume cannabis for its medical effects.

In the 20th century, Jamaica dominated as the first association to consuming weed for spiritual purposes. We all know about hippie movements, which were popular in the 1970s. The experts believe that the Woodstock Festival is a true proof of how cannabis culture can spread throughout society.

Today, you have cannabis culture present in different areas of life. For example, stoner films are accepted by movie experts as a separate genre, and people associate reggae and rap music with marijuana. Cannabis also has holiday events, which usually occur on 20th April. People also use 4:20 PM (4/20) as a slang to describe consuming hashish and marijuana.

Influential People in the Cannabis Industry in the 20th and 21st Century

A lot has happened for this industry in the 20th and 21st century. Although it dealt with bad press and strict laws and regulations, the cannabis culture managed to get back on its feet. Here is only a portion of people that contributed to improving the general image of marijuana!

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is a cannabis icon, and for a good reason. If you put his name next to the Jamaican flag, you'll get two symbols of marijuana in the 20th century. Marley attracted attention when he accepted Rastafarianism instead of Christianity in the 1960s. People throughout Jamaica followed him to his new religion.

Marley was a passionate weed user, and the author of cannabis activist quotes that today's advocates use. The musician believed that alcohol is destructive for a nation, while cannabis is healing. Marley also said that smoking this plant reveals one's true personality to themselves.

Tommy Chong

You can't have a list of famous cannabis activists without Tommy Chong. Chong was born in Canada in 1938, and he's an actor and comedian. He's also a musician, director, writer, and weed promoter.

According to our interview with Chong, the actor is a long-term marijuana user. He enjoys Sativa, and Indica strains equally and prefers taking marijuana later during the day. Chong played in numerous movies, but many remember him for his portrayal of Leo in That 70's show. It's a character that perfectly fits Chong's personality since he's a frequent weed user, too.

Whoopi Goldberg

Did you know that the famous actress is a part of the cannabis industry? Along with her business partner Maya Elisabeth, Goldberg designed a strain made for females. It focuses on providing menstrual pain relief and helping to deal with discomfort during those times. Men can also enjoy edibles and topicals designed by Whoopi, and it's only a matter of time when her business will expand beyond California.

Sean Kiernan

Sean Kiernan is an activist and a cannabis right leader when it comes to army veterans. He was a member of the airborne infantry of the US Army but experienced severe emotional trauma from those days. Kiernan found relief in marijuana and even stopped taking other medications. That's what inspired him to launch Weed for Warriors. This organization focuses on ensuring all veterans have the right to pick cannabis for their treatment. Kiernan also educates veterans on marijuana's importance when it comes to dealing with PTSD and other emotional trauma.

Dr. Joshua Kaplan

Many doctors and scientists play a significant role in the cannabis industry. Dr. Joshua Kaplan works at the University of Washington and is an author of many articles and analyses related to cannabis. According to reports, Kaplan is now focusing on how epilepsy and autism treatments could benefit from the endocannabinoid system and its therapeutic potential.

Women Cannabis Lawyers

While it's important to spread the word about cannabis, this industry also needs law specialists. It's interesting to note that men and women seem to be equally present when it comes to improving legislation related to marijuana.

Here is a quick look at the famous women marijuana lawyers:

• Katy M. Young – the Californian lawyer is the current president of the National Cannabis Bar Association (NCBA). She's also a member of the Cannabis Affinity Group, including its board of directors and the executive committee.
• Heidi Urness – she's a part of the Cannabis Law Section in the Washington State Bar Association. Urness is an expert in law but also famous for publishing analyses about cannabis use and its legal aspects.
• Lauren Rudick – she's a New York-based lawyer offering pro bono services to several cannabis organizations in this state. Rudick is also a reputable member of the NCBA and its treasurer.
• Heather L. Burke – Burke is the co-author of the California cannabis legalization initiative published in 2016. She's the first lawyer using a medical marijuana defense in the history of San Diego County.
• Ariel Clark – a famous magazine Rolling Stone put her among those females who'll shape the "Culture of Tomorrow." Clark is a member of the California Growers Association and several other industry organizations.

Modern Cannabis Activists

The new generations have largely accepted cannabis. Modern activists are fighting for legalization worldwide, but they are also trying to identify ways to improve this industry. Here is a quick overview of the famous modern marijuana activists.

Dabbing Granny

Although some people don't like it, influencers are an important part of affecting public opinion these days. Dabbing Granny might be the biggest cannabis advocate who's also an influencer. She's presenting various benefits that marijuana can have for all generations. Her videos are fund, and over 35K subscribers on YouTube are the best proof of that.

Cory Booker

Politics can have a huge impact on adjusting cannabis legislation. This former Newark Mayor and now a Senator from New Jersey, Booker doesn't hide his cannabis intentions. He even presented the Marijuana Justice Act to the Senate, with the ultimate goal of removing marijuana from the Controlled Substance list altogether. This industry can be proud for having Cory Booker in the Senate.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is a famous rapper but also a businessman. He recognizes business opportunities and firmly believes marijuana is among them. Snoop is a huge advocate of cannabis and a passionate user. He invested significant money in several companies. That includes laboratories that test marijuana products, so we assume his goal is to improve the product quality offered and achieve a better understanding of how cannabis works.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis activists and advocates are the main reason by marijuana has a far better image now than only decades ago. From scientists to athletes and celebrities, everyone is joining power to spread the word about marijuana's benefits and properties. If this trend continues, we can expect new steps towards legalizing cannabis federally and worldwide. In the meantime, this industry can be proud with the number of medical and recreational users increasing every day.