Jack Herer, A Tribute
Jack Herer also known as the "Emperor of Hemp",  born June 18, 1939, is probably one of the most well-known American cannabis rights advocates. He was also the author of the still popular, 1985 book The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Herer also established and acted as the director of the organization Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP).
In his activist work, Herer championed the decriminalisation of cannabis. He argued that it would make an excellent renewable source for not only fuel but also medicine, food, fibre, and paper. Furthermore, Herer was enthusiastic that it could be grown practically anywhere in the world. Herer also argued that the U.S. government has been purposely hiding the proof of all of this from US citizens.
Here was known as a glass pipe entrepreneur and opened his first head shop back over 50 years ago in 1973. In 1985 he self-published The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a book that by 2020 was in its fourteenth edition and had been continuously in print for 35 years. The game-changing book is still often cited in measures to decriminalise and legalise cannabis, as well as to boost the use of hemp for industrial use.  Herer also ran twice for President of the United States, standing in 1988 as the Grassroots Party candidate.
In July of 2000, Herer, unfortunately, suffered a minor heart attack and a major stroke which left him with problems speaking and with movement on the right side of his body. Here luckily recuperated for the most part and in May 2004 he asserted that this had a lot to do with his use of the Amanita muscaria, a psychoactive mushroom.
On September 12, 2009, Herer suffered another heart attack whilst in attendance at a Hemp Festival in Portland, Oregon. Due to complications from his last heart attack, Herer died on April 15, 2010, at the age of 70. Herer was laid at rest in the Eden Memorial Park Cemetery in California. His legacy however lives on and few have not heard of the legendary cannabis strain that is named after him.
How is Jack Herer Remembered?
The Jack Herer strain is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain that was first created by Sensi Seeds, however today virtually all seed banks have their take on this cannabis favourite. The Herer strain has won several awards over the years including the 7th High Times Cannabis Cup. Jack Herer was inaugurated into the Counterculture Hall of Fame at the 16th Cannabis Cup.Â
If that was not enough recognition, Herer's name was further immortalised into cannabis culture with the creation of "The Jack Herer Cup" which is held in Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Colombia, Jamaica, Oklahoma City, Germany and Thailand every year in honour of the Worldwide Cannabis Legalization Movement that Jack Herer helped initiate. The Jack Herer Cup is regarded as one of the most famous and prestigious cannabis award shows worldwide.
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Liz Filmer
