Pot is now legal in more states than ever, making the year 2014 was the year of introduction, right? Well, unless you were a teenager in 1988, 1989, or 1990 when pot was first made legal nationwide, you’re out of luck.
Today, there are more ways for people to get high than ever before thanks to the spread of digital devices and easy access. There are even pot clubs and cannabis-focused activism groups for people to join!
For people who aren’t familiar with pot (which is what we’re trying to introduce this article to), it is usually described as a substance that can provide various effects such as relaxation or hallucinations. It can also have various negative effects such as dependency or dependence.
This article will discuss some of the pioneers of Pot advocacy and activism, give them some credit for playing a role in spreading awareness about pot and helping people find their happy medium.
Robert Randall
Robert Randall was a key figure in the early days of cannabis activism. He was an underground cannabis dealer in the 1940s and 1950s, before he became a smuggler and pot entrepreneur.
He first came to prominence as a member of the Green Party in the 1970s and 1980s, serving as its national co-ordinator for several years.
He was also an outspoken critic of politicians who supported drug policy reform during that time, saying they were selling out to big business.
After retiring from politics, he continued his fight against drug prohibition by becoming active in some of the early cannabis advocacy groups. He helped found a Congressional Committee on Marijuana Legalization in 1984 and served on it until 1990.
He also helped found another Congressional committee on marijuana legalization in 1992 and again served on it until 1995.
Mary Jane Rathbun
Mary Jane Rathbun was a pivotal figure in the movement to reform cannabis policy. Starting as a child in the Betty & Veronica pot-legalization series of stories, Mary Jane’s activism and role in the movement grew throughout her adult life.
In her youth, Mary Jane was deeply influenced by the pot-legalization movements she followed as a child. She began her career working for one of those movements, Vice President of Community and Legal Services at People For National Prohibition Reform (NPPR). As an inside member of NPPR, MaryJane worked closely with law enforcement to ensure consistency between their advocacy and that of legalization groups.
After working with NPPR for several years, she decided to move on to become an advocate for marijuana reform. In 2011, she helped start the nonprofit Campaign For Fifth Amendment Rights And Pot Freedom (C4ARR) to continue her work on behalf of arrested individuals.
Jim Spyker
Jim Spyker is probably the first person to market a product named After Crisis. This was back in the 1970s when there was not a lot of pot information available.
He saw a need for crisis response training for people about marijuana, and he created it. Today, After Crisis is one of the most popular marijuana education products out there. It’s sold at dispensaries and online as well.
His work has had a big impact on the way we talk about marijuana today. He has opened our eyes to his importance and how harmful it can be if consumed incorrectly.
Ed Rosenthal
Ed Rosenthal is a legendary cannabis activist and advocate. He is the patriarch of the infamous Rosenthal family of pot dispensaries.
He was one of the first to market a CBD product, and he continues to push for further legalization with hisPurification line of products. His work has had an impact on how other advocacy groups approach marijuana policy, including his role as co-chair for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Advisory Policy Group on Cannabis Use and Public Health.
He also serves as president of The Arc, a global anti-drug organization that works to prevent addiction by teaching people responsible drug use and by providing access to therapies that do not involve high doses or longterm use.
His work at The Arc has had a major impact on Americans’ perception of marijuana and its use, leading them to make more responsible decisions about it such as attending cannabis events or purchasing CBD products.
Richard Lee
Richard Lee was one of the first well-known advocates for cannabis. He founded the California Cannabis Foundation in 1998 to educate the public about cannabis and promote its use.
The California Cannabis Foundation sponsors educational programs on topics such as medical marijuana, medicinal supplements, and legal marijuana. It also funds research projects to better understand the effects of cannabis on human health.
The California Cannabis Foundation is an important part of the cannabis advocacy system. Without its efforts and contributions, much of what people use today would not be accessible. It brings in money that helps fund future programs and growth, which is essential for continued advocacy and activism.
This system works because it is widely available and trusted by people to spread information about cannabis. By having widespread awareness campaigns, you get more involvement from everyone, which is key for more wide-spread acceptance.
Dennis Peron
Dennis Peron is a true pioneer of cannabis culture. As the founder of The Coachella Valley Hemp Festival, he has helped spread the word about hemp and pot culture for years to come.
Today, he is still an outspoken cannabis activist. He heads up the California Cannabis Campaign (CCa), an organization that fights for low cost access to marijuana and strives for its legal status to remain stable.
Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a plant breed developed in the 1970s by Dr. Jack Herer, an early advocate of medical cannabis.
Herer is named for his place in California, where he was first discovered in the late 1800s. He was a pioneer identified with early attempts to legalize marijuana, including one in the U.S. during the 1920s and 1930s.
More recently, Herer has played a prominent role in efforts to reschedule and even declassify cannabis, making it an official Schedule 1 drug like heroin and LSD. As with any effort aimed at changing policy, There Are Some Who Will Not Support You For Changing Policy And That Can Be Offenceable!
Herer is now commonly used for medical purposes as well as recreational use.
Amanda Reiman
Amanda Reiman is a household name. She is the pot pioneer who built the first licensed cannabis store in San Francisco in the ’70s. She also founded one of the first women-only cannabis clubs in Northern California, The Red Laurels.
We met her at High Times 2018 to talk about how she made her mark as an activist and pioneer, and what she’s doing now to help others embrace cannabis as an option for pain treatment.
She told us that her greatest satisfaction comes from helping people learn how to use marijuana safely, not just for pain treatment but for enjoyment too. She also thinks more people should explore its benefits for overall health, especially since recent studies have showed little negative effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
She said: “I feel like my job was to show people how easy it is to use marijuana and that there are lots of ways to do it, not just just for pain relief but for enjoyment too.
