Jack Herer, much beloved Emperor of Hemp and marijuana hero. is dead at age 70. Herer was a tireless advocate in the battle to end marijuana prohibition. He was perhaps the world's most famous activist for the decriminalization of marijuana and the utilization of hemp.
Jack Herer was born June 18, 1939. A former Goldwater Republican, Herer became a political activist and the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a book which is now a classic polemic in the effort to decriminalize marijuana.
Herer argued for the decriminalization and utilization of marijuana. Marijuana has been shown to be a renewable source of fuel, food, and medicine, and can be grown in virtually any part of the world. Herer was one of the first to show that the U.S. government deliberately hides the proof of marijuana's efficacy and utility. Herer devoted his life in support of cannabis, hemp and marijuana.
In later life Herer suffered several health problems. In 2000 Herer suffered a stroke and heart attack. After recovering the activist spoke with a stutter and walked with a limp. Last September 12 Herer collapsed backstage at "Hempstalk 2009" in Portland, Oregon.
After giving a fiery speech to the crowd on the future of hemp Herer suffered a heart attack and a significant loss of oxygen. Just minutes before his speech, Herer looked fit and said, "I'm getting better and better and better. I'm healthier than I've been..."
Herer passed away after months of serious health complications following his September collapse. Herer is a true American hero who spoke truth to power. He stood up for freedom while many others failed to do so. He was a good and noble man, and he will be missed.
R.I.P. Jack.
Free the Weed!












Comments
Jack was a good man, he will be missed.
May he rest in peace and live in eternity.
RIP Mr. Herer...a great and noble man
420 Man!
Yeah but Mikey doesn't believe in eternity dude.
Jack "The Emperor of Hemp" was always the first person I looked for at Cannabis Freedom Day and other events R.I.P.
RIP Jack
RIP BROTHER...a true patriot...
No truth to the rumor he is to be creamated in a giant bong session, where followers will be invited to inhale deeply. In a related story, Frito Lay has stated they will be honoring the deceased with a new flavor, "Spicy Herer Habanero".
Relax...he'd laugh.
May his sins be Forgiven.
Repose en paix Jack
Nous ne t'oublierons jamais...
Merci pour nous avoir montré le chemin
Maybe he can tell Mikey there is a Hell and taint no need for matches down there.
To the idiots making pot jokes and calling Herer a sinner - hell has a special place for people like you! Go drink your hypocrisy flavored alcohol.
Ihs, what a brilliant moniker! What a brilliant comment !! Great stuff !! With genius like yours so self evident, you could shadow write for the Stone Smoker !
I will always remember the name Jack Herer and what it stands for.
Waco, actually you'll die someday. After tthat you won't be remembering much of anything. Just thought I'd clue you.
Last year, my boyfriend, some family friends and I attended a benefit potluck for Eddy Lepp. While we were there, this old man got up and started mumbling and talking onstage. I thought he was insane and/or very high - afterall, it WAS Hollywood and this was pretty much open to whoever wanted to stop by. Both my boyfriend and friends were just in awe but I was like 'what a crazy old man'. It wasn't until later they explained to me that his name was Jack Herer and why he was so important. Then I felt really bad. *raises a bowl* here's to you, Jack!
Marijuana is a very valuable plant and Jack spent his adult life trying to spread the word.
Besides offering casual users a relaxing experience that is physically and socially superior to alcohol, the plant can be used to make cloth, rope and even cellophane. It possibly could be used as biofuel as well.
Too bad some ignorant people cannot open their eyes and minds, and continue to pollute our world with their cigarettes, prescription drugs and petroleum based fuel.
I'd say Jack has left this hell we know as modern life and ascended to heaven where God who made all plants presides.
Thank you Jack!
You are an American hero
I am well aware Jack was a sinner and he will pay for those sins,but lets cut the guy some slack.
I guess you are trying to bait someone like me that doesn't see the value in marijauna, as an inebriate or an industrial commodity.
Another smoke filled fantasy world dream from the original gypsy educated, confused over his gender, secular humanist.
Never heard of him. You must have to be a regular "High Times" reader man because honestly who the hell ever heard of this guy besides a bunch of stoner slacker basement dwellers.
jack the man. smokin in heaven. pot will be legal soon. cant stop it lawman.
legalize marijuana
You got it, smoke stoner boys. All gay boy stoner fantasies will soon blend into dreamland. As you fantasize it, so it shall be in the land of no time, no hassles, no reality. Smoke it - dream it. What a mind meld! Wow!
Too bad he couldn't hold on for five more days.
Like any other mind-altering substance, marijuana used to excess often points the way to dusty (and premature) death.
Hello my name is Crystal Elliott. I am very much a cannabis activist. I feel it is extremely important that you all understand what Jack Heror was trying to tell the world. Some of you are leaving nasty comments on here and obviously have no education on hemp. Hemp can also help our planet. I feel that if people were educated on the history of hemp and ALL of its uses, people would be more open minded to allowing more research and making hemp become legal.
History of Hemp
For more than one thousand years before the time of Christ until 1883, cannabis hemp was our planets largest agricultural crop and most important industry involving thousands of products and enterprises.
Hemp was legal tender from 1631- 1800s, and you were able to pay your taxes with hemp.
At one time you could be jailed for not growing hemp because it was the leading industrial use.
Hemp became illegal in 1937.
If hemp had not become illegal, timber, paper, large newspaper holding compani
What sins did he commit? None as bad as keeping medicine from the hands of the sick. All these ignorant dummies have to do is pick up his book to open their closed ignorant minds.
Oh, JMVB, so above all the other ignorant dummies, why can't we all read the dope smoker's magic book and be elevated like you, Mike Stone, and all the other weed worshippers ? ---Maybe, just maybe we'll get it someday. --Not.
So right on schedule here's more "Free Our Weed, Mr. Weed, My Hero" BS. Then, one of your three other topics: "Stop Those Bad Cops", "Those Hateful Bigots Won't Let Us Marry", "Kill The Catholics and The Pope", "Another Republican Hypocrite Explodes", "Kill Sarah Palin", "Stop Those Right Wingnut Guns", and "Obama Commie King Blesses The World Again". Oh, yeah, that's seven. Or is it eight?
Only problem is, until people that clearly aren't in it just to get high start talking up the value of the plant you wont see much head way.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!