Giants of Cannabis: Bob Marley

It is said that the light that burns half as long burns twice as bright, which would accurately describe the outsized legacy of Jamaican reggae great Bob Marley, which among many other things defines cannabis culture around the world. A lifelong adherent of cannabis’s medicinal and spiritual benefits, Marley’s celebration of cannabis in his life and music continues to shape the industry that has sprouted up around it to this day, with Marley’s children taking leading roles in several cannabis brands, from Marley Natural to Ocean Grown Extracts.

Born in Jamaica in 1945, Marley was raised the son of a former British Army enlistee Norval Marley and Cedella Booker, who named him after his paternal uncle. At the age of 12, Marley moved to Trenchtown with his mother and future bandmate Bunny Wailer. Inspired by UK ska and American R&B, Marley began working on music with Bunny, and three other musicians under a variety of names, finally scoring a local hit with “Simmer Down” in 1964.

Raised as a Catholic, Marley shifted towards Rastafarianism as his mother’s influence receded due to a move to Delaware in the ‘60s. He finally converted to the faith in 1968, growing out his dreadlocks and embracing a use of cannabis that was equal parts religious sacrament and political touchstone. Cannabis could open people’s eyes, he insisted, and lead towards people demanding a better world for themselves. “Some people feel, ‘No, these people shouldn’t smoke herb, because them gonna live too good, and then we got no power.’ Ya dig it?”, Bob once surmised.

Marley's embrace of cannabis came as he dropped the ska overtones of his early career and innovated heavily in his sound, starting in the late ‘60s. In 1972, he signed to Island Records, where he recorded many of his most famous LPs, bringing a new sound and cultural expression at once uniquely Jamaican yet universal to the masses. He became known for his powerful lyrics and socially conscious themes, as well as his legendary live performances. Many credit his 1978 live LP with his worldwide breakthrough.

Marley's love for cannabis was evident in his music and lifestyle. He famously sang about the plant in the title track for his album "Kaya," named after Jamaican slang for the plant, as well as songs like “Easy Skanking” and “Rebel Music (Three O’Clock Roadblock).” Such outspoken advocacy made Marley an occasional target, such as his arrest in London for possession in the spring of 1977. But it also alerted those in his audience of cannabis’s untapped powers. After all, if cannabis could inspire a music and outlook such as his, it could similarly inspire others.

Unfortunately, Marley also discovered in 1977 that he had melanoma, and by 1980, it had spread throughout his body. In 1981, he passed away, but his legacy would extend through his wife Rita and her children to create a cottage industry of headphones, audio gear, fashion and, beginning with Marley Natural, a branded cannabis line. And his legend will continue well into 2023 with the immersive “Bob Marley: One Love Experience” debuting in Los Angeles early in the year and ongoing work with an upcoming biopic for Paramount.

Marley's influence on cannabis culture cannot be overstated. Along with the ‘60s counterculture movement, Marley helped expand upon the plant’s spiritual properties and brought it to a larger, international audience. Marley's music and message continue to resonate with people today, and his legacy as a champion of cannabis lives on.

Some Great Strains to put you in the Marley Spirit

If you’ve ever wanted to take a puff of what Marley was smoking, you’re not alone. Not just a few years ago, Machel Emmanuel of the University of the West Indies announced he had sourced and grown a landrace strain favored by Marley that was initially thought extinct. Discussing why he did it, Dr. Emmanuel explained to The Times, “Jamaica’s image and reputation was built on ganja. It isn’t just a plant, it’s an identity of a people — the Rastafari people, the music, the lifestyle — and of course, everybody has heard of Bob Marley.”

It's been a few years, however, since Dr. Emmanuel made the announcement, so if you’re not necessarily keen on flying out to Jamaica to inquire about his progress, here’s a few prized Marley-inspired strains which should get you feeling ‘irie in no time.

Kaya: This strain was named after Marley's famous song "Kaya," and while Marley never sampled it in his lifetime, we’re sure he would have liked it. It is a Sativa-dominant hybrid known for its uplifting and euphoric effects.

Lamb's Bread: Marley singled this strain out as a particular favorite in a famous High Times interview. It is a Sativa strain known for its energetic and uplifting effects.

Acapulco Gold: This strain is a classic Sativa known for its potent effects and golden appearance. Marley was known to be a fan of this strain, and it was mentioned in several of his songs.