THE MOST INFLUENTIAL CANNABIS PEOPLE OF ALL TIME

Marijuana was a heavily stigmatized substance. It was considered to be a gateway drug to other dangerous forms of addiction. But now with the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes in many countries, the cannabis industry is making remarkable strides. Marijuana is slowly becoming more socially acceptable. Over the past few decades, cannabis advocates from different walks of life have taken huge strides in the push for the legalization of marijuana throughout the US (& many other parts of the world). Many influential people have been open advocates of marijuana. Retailers often hire celebrities, well known athletes and public figures to represent their brands, and strengthens engagement with the consumers. Cannabis brands often look to have prominent people to be their ‘brand ambassadors’ to reach out to a wider target group.

Here is a list some of the most highly influential people who have showed their support for recreational and/or medicinal use of marijuana, and also voiced their opinions in favor of seeing the substance being legalized. 

• Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is the first name that pops on your mind when you think of celebrities who are advocates for cannabis. Cannabis has been associated with his image as he has been an avid cannabis smoker since the start of his career. In 2013, he claimed to be smoking around 80 blunts a day. Since 2007, he is certified for medical cannabis in California for treatment of migraines.

In 2015, Snoop Dogg launched his own cannabis brand- Leafs By Snoop in Denver, Colorado. By 2018, Snoop had started distributing his products in Canada by collaborating with Canopy Growth Corporation.

• Bernie Sanders

The senator from Vermont, and a former US Presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders introduced a legislation in 2015 that would have ended the federal prohibition of marijuana. Even though his bill did not get any support, it was considered as a small step in the right direction for the cannabis industry.

• Justin Trudeau

The incumbent Prime Minister of Canada introduced a legislation back in 2017 that saw recreational marijuana being legalized in Canada the following year. This was the fulfillment of an election pledge that he had made years back.

• Wanda James

A former lieutenant in the United States Navy, Wanda James is the first African-American woman to own a cannabis dispensary- Simply Pure. In 2016, James was named as one of the “50 Most Important Women in the Cannabis Industry” by Cannabis Business Executive. She is also a managing partner at the Cannabis Global Initiative.

• Dalai Lama

The Tibetan Buddhist leader is an adamant opposer of alcohol and drugs (which includes recreational marijuana too). But in 2013, while at an event with former Mexican President Vicente Fox, he was noted saying that he supports medical marijuana that has “pharmaceutical virtues”.

• Vicente Fox

The former Mexican President knows how the farmers suffered under cannabis and hemp prohibition, and understands what the industry can do to help them. He joined the High Times board in 2018 to lend his advice and to guide the renowned brand into the future.