R.I.P. EMPEROR OF HEMP

One of the most prolific figures in marijuana reform, Jack Herer,
known as the "Hemperor," died last Thursday in Eugene, Ore., at the
age of 70. The activist and author suffered a heart attack in
September in Portland and had been in poor health ever since.

People knew him best for his book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes,"
which sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. The book is a history of
marijuana and its prohibition and serves as the basis for many
arguments for marijuana legalization. First published in 1985, it
contains a disclaimer that offers $1 million to anyone who is able to
refute anything in the book. Herer sent the book out to numerous
congressmen, senators and members of anti-marijuana groups. No one has
claimed the million yet.

Herer worked with Dennis Peron to create Proposition 215 and lobbied
to get it on the California ballot. After his success in California,
he traveled the country to help pro-marijuana activists lobby for
versions of the proposition in their own states. High Times
Editor-in-Chief Dave Bienenstock told Huffington Post, "If I had a
dime bag for every marijuana activist who told me Jack Herer was how
they got started, I'd have a few pounds by now."

Herer spent the latter years of his life promoting the benefits of
medical marijuana and pushing for full legalization. Even when he was
not his healthiest, he traveled the country to educate people on the
benefits of legalization.

Herer is survived by his wife Jeannie, six children, a brother and a
sister.