5 reasons Jack Herer is the godfather of modern cannabis

If you smoke legal weed this Father’s Day, you owe this activist a credit.

Before you light up your Father’s Day stash, consider lighting one up for Jack Herer, aka the godfather of modern cannabis.

A good godfather is not always there. But he’s on time when you need him. And for much of the Prohibition era, Jack Herer led the cannabis community forward with passion and brilliance.

At a time when most were consumed in the closet, Herer’s example became a role model for the cannabis community, even for those who disagreed with his bombastic vibes.

“You must be crazy not to smoke weed!” Herer told a crowd in 2009 at one of his final public appearances.

Although he died in April 2010 at the age of 70, Herer’s legacy lives on through writings, recorded speeches and the world-renowned strain of Jack Herer. Bred for medical patients at Dutch pharmacies since the 1990s, Jack’s Honor strain still lives up to its reputation for pioneering ideas and inspirational energy.

To honor Jack’s legacy this Father’s Day weekend, here are Leafly’s top five reasons Mr. Herer is the godfather of modern cannabis culture.

1. He paid his dues to the Geil

Jack Herer’s career in cannabis dates back to his days pioneering the glass pipe industry. He opened his first head shop in 1973 at the age of 34 and began documenting everything he could about the cannabis plant. His observations later led to a world-famous book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Jack began writing The Emperor while in prison for protesting Ronald Regan’s government.

The Godfather dominated the rooms with his 6’1, 225-pound presence and persistent cannabis smell. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, the military veteran once believed weed was as bad as heroin. When he was 30, a friend got him into smoking, which he described as “the best food he’s ever had” and “the best sex he’s ever experienced.” (high times)

The non-fiction book was a counterculture manifesto that raised questions about the validity of American propaganda and the War on Drugs in particular.

The text offered $100,000 to anyone who could refute its claims about cannabis. Claims included: hemp plants are the world’s most efficient solar energy source, and hemp is a sustainable solution to world hunger.

The book was published 12 times over the next 25 years, with the last edition hitting the press in 2010, the same year Jack died at the age of 70 from complications following a heart attack.

2. He held the family tight

Keeping the cannabis community together is no easy task. They have growers, sellers, smokers, dabbers, and munchers who all feel unique ownership of the plant. But Herer’s work as director of Helping End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) made unity a priority.

As legalization brings a flood of capital and competition to the legal cannabis market, all participants should consider the principles Jack preached on the legalization journey. Although some of his loudest criticisms came from activists at NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), Jack saved his smoke for those who support prohibition.

Some contemporaries wanted Jack to grow up and become more mainstream. They even questioned his sweeping claims that hemp could save the world. But in 2002, NORML reversed its long-held skepticism by honoring Herer with a lifetime achievement award.

3. He stayed near the facility

During his lifetime, Herer touched every category of the cannabis industry. The experience he gained selling pipes in the ’70s, writing books in the ’80s and lobbying hard for legalization in the ’90s gave him a solid foundation and complemented his natural leadership skills. Jack’s charming presence and clear voice helped him reach people with ease. But he didn’t stand in front of the plant. In fact, he rarely had time to indulge his ego because he was so busy getting baked.

In this November 6, 1996 photo, Proposition 215 campaign manager Dennis Peron (right) smokes a joint next to legendary legalization advocate and author Jack Herer. (AP Photo/Andy Kuno, file)

“No one has ever died from marijuana that hasn’t been shot by a cop,” Jack often joked. The line scared his fourth wife, Jeanie, who Jack tracked down in the late ’90s after reading his famous book and having a revelation. She found him stoned under his famous Venice Beach counter and couldn’t believe he was the author of the book that had changed her life.

4. He helped pave the legal path

Back in 1972, Herer joined California attorney Leo Paoli in putting Proposition 19 on California ballots. It passed by a 33% vote, but the votes showed Jack and others that Americans were beginning to see through drug war propaganda.

Herer also created the Great American Standard System (GRASS) to educate adults about hemp through cartoons and witty advertising copy. And along with his friend Captain Ed Adair, Jack swore an oath never to rest until the plant is legal.

Now in its 14th edition, Jack Herer’s classic handmade tale is one of the best-selling underground books of all time.

Jack was perfectly content playing the long game. Year after year, he smiled at failed ballot measures because he loved the democratic process and enjoyed the incremental progress his work fueled.

Anyone enjoying decriminalized or licensed cannabis today owes Jack a credit for his political foresight and patience.

5. He planted strong roots

The Godfather’s name and influence will live on for generations, thanks in part to the Jack Herer Cup competition held each year in Amsterdam, Colombia, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City and Thailand.

But why are premium strains from Jack Herer still among the most popular sativa-dominant strains on the planet? Well, just a few lemony hits of Jack’s eponymous flower will flood your brain with fresh ideas and the energy boost you need to implement them. So this Father’s Day, light up some JH and celebrate the Godfather’s legendary influence on the world of modern cannabis.

Jack was a pot star and influencer long before Instagram existed. (high times)

For more information on Jack, see Tom Zoellner’s original 2017 profile of Herer and Leafly’s podcast episode The Roll Up, dedicated to Pot’s godparents.

Also available here is the 2020 Kindle Updated Edition of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, edited and annotated by Dan Herer.

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Leafly is the world’s largest cannabis information resource, empowering people in the legal cannabis markets to learn about the right products for their lifestyle and wellness needs. Our team of cannabis professionals have years of combined experience in all aspects of the market, from cultivation and retail, to science and medicine, to data and technology.

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