Cannabis activists have, and still do, make all the difference. But, to be an activist isn’t easy. Many have lost everything, and some never recover. Still, so many people support this plant. They share knowledge and information not for their own personal gain, but instead, to help others. People from all walks of life have found a purpose in the plant — they are driven by compassion — and together, create a like-minded culture, a cannabis culture.
Jodie Emery
Budding in cannabis culture itself is someone whose name is synonymous with politics and activism. The legendary cannabis figure, Jodie Emery, is endearingly dubbed the Princess of Pot. Jodie Joanna Giesz-Ramsay, born January 4, 1985, in Kamloops, Canada, married fellow cannabis activist, Marc Emery in 2006. Both husband and wife have spent time in jail for their roles with cannabis, and together they’ve co-founded “Cannabis Culture Magazine,” Pot TV, and operate the retail store Cannabis Culture Headquarters.
Support With A Cost
Outside of Jodie’s incarceration for cannabis, she’s worked with the political Green Party of British Columbia with the objective of bringing social justice, sustainability, and ecological wisdom to her region. Respect for diversity and participatory democracy were only a few prerogatives brought to the table.
Jodi has been involved with the British Columbia Marijuana Party (BCMP), a political party that advocates for responsible cannabis reform and legalization in British Columbia. She regularly speaks at events across Canada and around the world, including the Boston Freedom Rally, The Global Marijuana March, and The New Hampshire Liberty Forum. If there’s a 420 festival, a cannabis-themed function or event, or a public hearing about cannabis, chances are you might catch the Princess of Pot there.
Her husband, Marc, was incarcerated for five years in the U.S. for his support of cannabis. During this time, Jodie strongly advocated for his return to Canada.
Jodie isn’t quiet about her cannabis use, either. You can find her in documentaries such as: “Prince of Pot: The U.S. vs. Marc Emery,” “Evergreen: The Road to Legalization,” “Legalize It, A NORML Life” and more. “The Guardian U.K.,” “The Huffington Post,” “The National Post,” “Fresh Magazine,” “Georgia Straight,” and dozens of other newspapers and magazines have featured “The Princess of Pot.”
Jodie also supports electoral reform, policing and prison reform, nonviolence, affordable education, environmental awareness and tax spending reform. Together, the Emerys never once backed down from those who tried to strong-arm or bully them. Recently, on December 16, 2016, they were arrested in Montreal over a legal dispute between the Cannabis Culture Dispensaries and local authorities. This didn’t stop this powerful duo; they’re still rollin’ strong.
A voice as powerful as Jodie’s reaches ears thousands of miles away. This writer was first introduced to her while working with Craig Ex, whose show Expert Joints (see “Emerald Magazine,” July 2016) airs on Pot TV.
Emerald Magazine: What’s your favorite strain to smoke?
Jodie Emery: Recently I’ve been a fan of Girl Scout Cookies, but I’ll always remember and dream about True Blueberry from DJ Short, many years ago.
Emerald: What’s your type of favorite edible?
JE: I haven’t had any edibles for years, with the last experience as far back as 2005. I prefer smoking flowers, usually in the form of my hand-rolled joints.
Emerald: Is the bud truly better in Canada?
JE: It’s all about the grower and the garden! I’ve had terrible and wonderful cannabis flowers in Canada and around the world. Even when it’s not “the best,” I always enjoy smoking any cannabis, anywhere!
Emerald: What does cannabis mean to you?
JE: Cannabis is not just the tree of life that saves lives and offers peace to humanity, but it can also save our planet if we utilize it in every possible way. The War on Drugs is one of the worst human rights crisis our world has ever seen, and cannabis is always used as the main target, so it’s essential that we end the war on cannabis and all drugs, in order to save lives and our planet.
Emerald: What’s one of the best and one of the worst experiences you’ve had as a cannabis supporter and activist?
JE: There are too many good experiences to count. My life has been jam-packed with adventure, politics, business, media, activism, courts, prisons, and so much more. The worst days were the U.S. prison days, from May 2010 to August 2014, when Marc [Emery] was extradited to the U.S. for five years for funding legalization activism and seeding the movement worldwide.
Emerald: What are your current cannabis endeavors?
JE: I’m focused on activism politically because enormous changes are underway in Canada, and you can keep up with my efforts on Twitter by following me there on @JodieEmery. This is where most of my activism and work and media is shared.
I’m out on bail for about seven months now, so our criminal case related to the recent Cannabis Culture dispensary franchise venture is still before the courts. I’m focusing on making sure people aren’t arrested and demonized and punished for cannabis in any way, shape or form. I’ll get back to business and work soon enough, though I’ll be avoiding civil disobedience so I don’t end up back in jail. No one should ever be arrested or jailed for cannabis, ever.
Emerald: Do you have any messages for our readers?
JE: There is no end point or victory goal line in this war against us. Every day, humanity struggles for freedom of choice and freedom from oppression, and the war on cannabis is a huge part of that global destruction and harm. Cannabis can save the world in so many ways, but only if we do everything in our power to promote it everywhere. We cannot let the truth about cannabis be buried under continued government anti-pot propaganda and lies.
Do everything possible to promote cannabis and take action to make a difference – there are so many ways to have an impact. Hold a rally. Post signs and hang banners. Join political parties to influence policy. Run for office to get cannabis in the conversation. Educate your doctor about medical marijuana. Donate to a drug policy organization. Write a letter to the newspaper, or call the radio when weed is the topic. Contact and meet with your elected representatives. Grow cannabis and share it! Whatever you do, every time you take action you can feel strong knowing that you’re fighting for millions of people who are suffering persecution – people who depend on us, their fellow citizens, to do what we can to liberate our planet and our people. We have the people power. We just need to unite, and use it for good.
Peace and Pot!
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