Weedmaps remembers the cannabis freedom fighter Eddy Lepp

Charles Eddy Lepp, affectionately known as Eddy, was a cannabis freedom fighter, lawyer, and friend who died this Monday at the age of 69. Weedmaps’ Mary Schumacher remembers his life and legacy.

My life would be very different if I hadn’t known Eddy. We met in late 2004 at a NORML conference in Oregon. Eddy and Jack Herer, whom I had met as cannabis heroes on other occasions, were best friends and traveled together. I interviewed her for my first cannabis article, which was published in the High Times. Jack had had a stroke years ago and needed help with various mobility and writing-related matters, and by the end of the conference I had made myself available for all of Jack’s needs.

Eddy, attentive as he was, picked up a felt pen and one of his 40 acre cannabis farm posters and wrote down his cell phone number. He told me that if I ever wanted to come to Northern California and help Jack, I would have an apartment on his farm. After the article was published, I called my new editor and asked if I would take such a step, if there would be a place for articles in the Eddy and Jack California scene. The answer was yes, and the rest is my cannabis-fueled story. My writing has focused almost entirely on advocacy for cannabis and I have never looked back.

There are innumerable such stories. Stories of Eddy who elevates and empowers his friends, freedom fighters and cannabis allies in an intense and engaging way. In honor of Eddy and his contributions to the cannabis community, I would like to share the story of his life and the memories of his friends.

Charles Eddy Lepp was born in La Harpe, Illinois, but often moved around with his military family until they landed in Reno, Nevada. Eddy joined the army at the age of 19. He started smoking cannabis during basic training and spent a year in Vietnam. For the next twenty years, Eddy battled addiction and convalescence attacks, with cannabis being his only buoy. Eventually, during his final recovery phase, he met Linda Senti, who would become his wife and driving inspiration.

Eddy was introduced to Dennis Peron after he was arrested while growing medical cannabis for Linda, who was battling cancer. Eddy became the first person to be tried and acquitted under Proposition 215. He then met Jack Herer, who became his dear friend and led him on his way to becoming a pure cannabis freedom fighter. Eddy said in this article by cannabis journalist Bobby Black that cannabis kept him from killing himself for years during his addiction battles. Eddy had given his father cannabis to relieve him during his own losing battle with cancer years ago, so Eddy was well prepared to take the cannabis ban on his shoulders.

Eddy and Linda tried a few profitable endeavors early on, which were unsuccessful, before settling in Lake County, California, on the edge of the legendary cannabis growing region, the Emerald Triangle.

They started running cannabis clinics for doctors and patients to find each other before gradually starting to grow. Eddy and Linda kept meeting people who either couldn’t afford their medicine, couldn’t find it, or couldn’t grow it themselves. When Eddy and Linda saw the glaring void, they decided to take over their huge farm and grow for friends and neighbors. Over time, the operation grew to over 30,000 plants along Highway 20, all with the full knowledge of local enforcement. And all before such large grows were fully legalized or even normalized a little.

In 2004, Eddy was named Freedom Fighter of the Year by the High Times. Eddy has been honored at countless events and festivals, including a virtual appearance at the Los Angeles Million Marijuana March in 2011 while serving time growing cannabis. In truly legendary form, he had a strain named after him that won second place at the 2013 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, Eddy was arrested several times for cannabis until he was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to ten years in prison. He was released eight and a half years later, but while he was in jail Jack died. Linda died of cancer in 2007. He spent the last few years still fighting for the plant, remaining the great personality he always was, and strengthening his friends and allies.

We thank you for everything, Eddy.

“Eddy was the first and most inspiring person I ever met in the cannabis industry. He took me and my crew in like we were family and he always showed us consideration and love! He is missing but never forgotten! RIPower my friend. “

– Tony Van Pelt, Chronic Candy

“Eddy Lepp was a marijuana saint to me … a compassionate, loving, and caring husband, friend, and person. He literally learned to grow marijuana to help his cancerous wife and sick people … This man was a direct advocate for people’s rights, especially the right to grow marijuana. He will be forever immortal through my music. “

– Ponyboy, Los Marijuanos

“Eddy was a true blue cannabis revolutionary: talented, hilarious, and real. Part of the first wave of a handful of brave and fearless souls who fought on the early medical marijuana political fronts to help patients but also to change the world for the better. I was honored to be part of this early group and one of Eddy’s closest friends, and I will miss him immensely. “

– Lynnette Shaw, Marin Alliance for Medical Marihuana

“Being involved in Eddy Lepp’s life was the craziest and most glorious adventure of my life. Not having it leaves a void that no one can fill. No matter where you are in the world, if you consume any kind of cannabis, Eddy Lepp is one of the soldiers you should thank. “

– Jason Dunlap, documentary filmmaker and photographer

Selected image courtesy of Jason Dunlap