The music of marijuana

Part of the 420 celebrations taking place next month includes the release of a new version of a classic album: Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It.” Though the album still has strong staying power after more than 40 years, this official remix features a who’s who of music performing new interpretations of the landmark cuts. The re-release, which was recorded and curated the week of this year’s Grammy awards, also includes commentary from current and past artists from the worlds of rock, reggae, hip hop, country and pop, everyone from Willie Nelson to Cypress Hill. Tosh, a musician and human rights activist, is considered the Godfather of Cannabis Legalization and has been inducted into the Counterculture Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the Wailers along with Bob Marley and even taught Marley to play the guitar. He also was involved in many of the group’s hits before leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He was killed in 1987 in Jamaica but much of his legacy is similar to Marley’s: excellent music, providing a voice to Jamaica and letting the world know about the natural goodness of cannabis. Tosh was considered to be even more of a legalization activist than Marley, and once stopped a concert to publicly chastise Jamaica’s prime minister in the audience for 30 minutes for not legalizing ganja. He also was active in fighting poverty and injustice in his home country. Tosh was part of the Rastafarian religious sect, which believed that cannabis can aid enlightenment. In 1976 he recorded his first solo album, “Legalize It,” which his estate felt needed to be heard again due to the growing number of states adding recreational or medical marijuana options. Many pot enthusiasts have declared April 20 to be International Peter Tosh Day. During 420 celebrations in 2016, his family announced the creation of “Peter Tosh 420,” a Peter Tosh-licensed brand of cannabis designed for medical or recreational users or those seeking spiritual enlightenment. The first batch is expected to be available at marijuana retail locations this spring. The venture also includes support from music/entertainment veteran Brian Latture and cannabis entrepreneur Steven Trenk from Lizada Capital. Proceeds from every sale of Peter Tosh 420 products go to the Peter Tosh Foundation, which funds global projects including education, social justice, legalization and other humanitarian causes. Fans of Tosh and his messages are also circulating a petition to make the Peter Tosh Memorial Garden in Jamaica a national historical landmark. An official museum opened in Kingston last fall. For more info visit http://petertosh.com/ or hear his music on Spotify or iTunes.