“Frontline fighter for cannabis freedom.” This is how it was described Jack Herer. Known to be the most important activist in the fight against cannabis prohibition.
Who is Jack Herer
Born in Buffalo, NY, in 1939, to a conservative Jewish family, Herer was a visionary who understood the potential of an unjustly prohibited plant. But it wasn't always like this.
Son of a corrupt society, which promoted the war on drugs, no one would have ever expected that that boy, dedicated to the state and its military efforts, would later become a pioneer in the campaign for the legalization of hemp.
But, after smoking marijuana for the first time, like a sweet awakening, his thoughts changed radically. "I never imagined that man could have such an experience".
Thus was born, or rather, that revolutionary soul emerged, which tightened the reins of hope, with a single objective. Change the tragic fate which His Majesty Hemp was going against.
The birth of an "Emperor"
In 1973, Jack co-authored a comic book titled “Grass: Great Revolutionary American Standard System.” Defined as "the official guide" to evaluate the quality of marijuana, sold around 30 thousand copies under the counter. A stepping stone, which earned him fame and respect in the cannabis realm.
In 1979, open the first hemp shop in the United States, along Venice Beach, California. In time to hippie music, he dispensed cannabis and advice. And in his words, full of passion, the sense of justice echoed.
Natural remedies, clothes, paper and even fuel. All obtainable from this magical plant. According to Herer, an essential resource for man, to fight deforestation and pollution. His mission was to spread his real abilities as much as possible.
The Emperor Wears No Clothes: Jack Herer's best seller
We are in the 80s. There is an air of terror and, in the United States, the policies of repression towards this plant reach the highest levels.
In 1983 Herer, who had become an easy target for the police, he was arrested for trespassing on federal property. And, after refusing to pay a $5 fine, he was sentenced to 14 days in prison. Fate would have it that, during one of his stays behind bars, he gave life to his best seller: "The Emperor Wears No Clothes".
With an invaluable heritage for the cannabis community, the result of years of research, studies, interviews, tears and sweat. It was the first book to prove some of the theories, now in the public domain, about birth of prohibition.
That is, a farce staged by the powerful of the time, intimidated by the potential of this plant, however stop hemp cultivation, which would soon ruin their rise to power.
The pharmaceutical, oil, paper and plastic industries. All placed on the edge of the precipice. It had to be stopped at all costs. They were worth millions in turnover.
Although Herer did not find any publisher willing to publish his book, he decided to do everything himself, taking care of both printing and distribution. It was a resounding success. From 1985, the year of publication, to today, it has been translated into twelve languages it sold nearly a million copies.
In the following years, regardless of the physical effort, he continued with his mission undaunted. To think that, in 1990, he had to face one of the toughest weeks of his life. A total of 60 rallies in 48 different cities. But eventually advancing age made itself felt, along with its complications.
The end of a Legend
That hectic life put him to the test. In 2000 he suffered a heart attack and a stroke during a hemp festival in Oregon. But it wasn't enough to put him out of action.
After a long recovery period he got back on track. According to him, thanks above all to the daily use of cannabis oil from high concentrations and the use of psychoactive mushrooms.
Unfortunately in 2009, at the Hempstalk Festival in Portland, history repeated itself. Herer had a further heart attack, even stronger than the first, so much so that he did not recover his famous communication skills.
Weakened by what happened, on April 15, 2010Jack Herer left us at the age of 70. But certainly not empty-handed. His deeds and his courage are still the backbone of the fight against prohibition.
Graffiti representing him color the cities. Events, magazines and even cannabis strains they remember his name. And his book is a relic that cannot be missing from any bookstore.
