Jack Herer

Jack Herer was one of the first activists to challenge cannabis prohibition, linking history, economics and ecology. Portrait of one of the leading figures in the pro-cannabis movement.

Jack was born in 1939 and grew up in Buffalo, New York. A school failure following the death of his father, he joined the army at the age of 17. His views were Republican, conservative and even ultra-nationalist. In particular, he supported the intervention of American GIs in Vietnam.

The hippie movement changes the game

Jack Herer hates hippies, pacifists and all the pseudo-deviants of the «60s. In 1967, he got divorced and his new girlfriend offered him cannabis. »I felt sensations I didn't even know existed«. He wondered why cannabis was illegal, and ended up joining the »depraved", whom he considered a coward in advance.

He then turned to writing comics. Called Grass, the comic sold over 35,000 copies.

Jack Herer is best known as the leading authority on hemp in the United States, studying its history and uses around the world. Jack Herer marks his position by focusing on hemp rather than cannabis. Cannabis consumer associations do not support him. His comments on the economy categorized him as too radical. He is joined in his fight by Ed Ader, who later becomes his best friend. He garnered support for the legalization of hemp and the decriminalization of cannabis.

«Hemp could change the world»

In '74, he called for the use of hemp to save the planet. In 1979, Jack Herer opened a hemp store on Venice Beach, which quickly became a must.

In January 1981, he met newly-elected President Reagan outside a federal building while signing petitions against prohibition. It was at this time that Ronald Reagan declared zero tolerance on cannabis issues and used the presence of pro-cannabis activists on federal property to arrest them. Refusing to pay the fine, Jack Herer was incarcerated in July 1983 in Terminal Higland federal prison in California.

He wrote a second book in his cell, which was published in 1985, , The Emperor Wears No Clothes. It sold over 600,000 copies worldwide and has been reprinted 11 times. It includes : «I'm not saying hemp will save the world... but in any case, it's the only thing that can...»

Herer popularizes all subjects closely or remotely related to hemp: scientific studies, the history of hemp throughout the world, its economic usefulness and its nutritional values. He is already committed to the fight against global warming, demonstrating that the plant's many uses could save the planet. He has even pledged to donate $50,000 to anyone who can prove otherwise.

Hemp's textile and cosmetics industry took off in the 90s, and by 1994, the associations that had rejected him and thought him mad were looking to him as the prophet of the end of prohibition.

Also in 1994, Sensi Seeds gave its name to a cannabis variety. For over twenty years, Jack Herer has won numerous prizes at the Cannabis Cups, in the hybrid cannabis category.

Jack Herer suffered cardiac arrest in September 2009 during a
rally in Portland. He never fully recovers and dies
on April 15, 2010 in Portland, at the age of 70. His death
a worldwide wave of emotion in the cannabis community.

Today, he is regarded as a role model for all pro-cannabis activists. From his grave or elsewhere, he is certainly watching with interest as the world moves to legalize cannabis.

The variety that bears his name remains one of the best tributes we can pay to an activist: a name uttered daily by millions of consumers around the world, often without knowing who the man behind the legend was.