Bob Marley is set to become the face of the first global Marijuana brand after the Marley family and a Seattle-based private equity firm announced the creation of Marley Natural, “a premium cannabis brand rooted in the life and legacy.”
According to NBC News , Marley Natural will include products such as “pot-infused creams, accessories (like vaporizers in the style of e-cigarettes) and strains of ‘heirloom Jamaican cannabis,’ inspired by the herb that Marley enjoyed in extravagant, finger-sized joints.”
Marley Natural is expected to start shipping its product to areas where marijuana is now legal by the end of next year. The company is backed by Privateer Holdings, a private equity firm that deals exclusively in cannabis industry investments. Brendan Kennedy, the CEO of Privateer Holdings, spoke of the firm’s commitment to ‘ending the social harms caused by prohibition.”
The fight of ending the prohibition of marijuana is slowly becoming a winning cause as many states, such as Colorado, California and Washington, have now legalized either recreational or medical usage. Even Marley’s homeland is now edging closer to legalizing recreational usage to some extent.
“We’re committed to ending the social harms caused by prohibition. We’re committed to social change, environmental sustainability and building a professional, responsible and legal cannabis industry.”
Marley Natural is described as “the Ben & Jerry’s of pot, selling a worldwide product, supporting local activism, and sharing the wealth with the little guys.” Bob Marley’s daughter spoke of her father’s view of marijuana and how he would endorse the move for the capitalization of the plant.
“My dad would be so happy to see people understanding the healing power of the herb. He viewed the herb as something spiritual that could awaken our well-being, deepen our reflection, connect us to nature and liberate our creativity.”
The company’s mission statement is described on its website.
“Our mission is to champion Bob’s voice and his insight to help people realize the positive potential of cannabis for the mind, body, and spirit”
Bob Marley is currently the ninth highest paid dead celebrity on the Forbes annual list. This deal has the potential of lifting the Jamaican up the list. However, Marley has been one to adore the riches of fame and fortune. The legendary Rastafarian once said, “Money is numbers and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.”
Throughout the history of the global prohibition of marijuana, there has not been a more famous advocate for the legalization of the plant than Bob Marley and now the reggae icon is to be face of the post-prohibition era of marijuana.
[Image via Bobmarley.com, Marley Natural and NBC News ]
