Death of Fernanda de la Figuera, Spanish cannabis campaigner

«I want them to mix my ashes with soil and plant marijuana,» asked cannabis activist Fernanda de la Figuera, also known as Abuela Marijuana, Granny Marijuana, before she died.

Fernanda died on April 24 at the age of 78, after a lifetime of battling cannabis prohibition in Spain. The fruit of her struggle, she was the first Spaniard to be granted the right to grow the plant herself, in 1995.

Abuela Marihuana, born in Madrid in 1943, founded and chaired one of Spain's first cannabis associations, the Ramón Santos Association for the Study of Cannabis in Andalusia (ARSECA).

Fernanda also founded the Cannabis Party for Legalization and Normalization (PCLYN) and the Federation of Cannabis Associations (Federación de Asociaciones Cannábicas). She was also spokeswoman for the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD) and president of the Luz Verde cannabis party.

As she liked to say in interviews, as early as 1982, Fernanda understood that her relationship with cannabis would last a lifetime: thanks to this plant, she was able to combat depression and physical ailments.

«It's the best medicine I've ever had and the best medicine I own. If it wasn't for marijuana, I wouldn't be here now, of that I'm absolutely convinced,» Fernanda said in 2019.

On social networks, the international cannabis community bid him farewell.

The official account of Spain's Confederation of Cannabis Associations tweeted: «Today, the sun is shining a little less. Grandma Marijuana rests in peace and freedom. For those of us who love #Cannabis, you will always be in our thoughts.»

https://twitter.com/FederacionFAC/status/1518167840918024192

Or, on the Spanish account of the World Cannabis March: «As of today, we will miss Fernanda de la Figuera. Abuela Marijuana, feminist, fighter, absolute reference for the cannabis movement in our country, who supported the cause to the end. We will continue to plant in your name, comrade!»

https://twitter.com/MarihuanaMarcha/status/1518170482134204416

The Dutch VOC also paid tribute to him by sharing a photo of Abuela Marijuana with Ben Dronkers, Richard Branson, Freek Polak and Todd McCormick.

Sad to hear the news of the passing of Fernanda de la Figuera, Abuela Marijuana (Grandma Marijuana), mother of the Spanish cannabis movement, pictured here at the @HempMuseumBCN in 2012 with Freek Polak, Ben Dronkers, @richardbranson and @toddpmccormick (photo © Gonzo Media). pic.twitter.com/MKrhu8j6yK

- VOC Nederland (@vocnederland) April 25, 2022