The 20 April has been transformed into an iconic date on cannabis culture, not because there happened something especially noteworthy, but because it is the date that symbolizes the 420, number that mainly in the United States and the Anglo-Saxon world recalls marijuana.
And it is that in the American culture that hour marks the moment of smoking with friends. As counted, a group of teenagers from a college in California in the early years 70 met after school - at 04:20 PM- to share a dick.
This is how little by little the date acquired international connotation and became practically a global celebration of cannabis.
For the same, this day was also chosen to honor with his International Day one of the first and main activists of the herb - as he liked to call it- respected rastafarian, tireless warrior and visionary prophet, the great Peter Tosh.
In a context in which marijuana was severely criminalized almost everywhere in the world, Tosh was never daunted, always raised the Rastafarian vision and defended its use everywhere.
Even, goes further: “the grass and the music is healing the nation”.
“This (Grass) was created by the creator, has serious spiritual botanical agents. Es tetrahidro cannabinol, anti-virus, anti-fungal, anti trichinosis and antidote. And Jah created her for the motivation of the mind of man. To relax the mind of the mind is to do everything related to the elevation of the mind of man”, I reflected.
It was common for him to turn on a spliff on the stage during the presentations - how to forget the interpretation of “Rastafari Is” at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in 1983- and proclaim the benefits of cannabis.
His songs also served to carry the message. In fact, “Legalize it” is the name of his first solo album as well as the first single, which has become a true anthem for legalization.
Always highly highlighted the medicinal qualities of the herb. “It's good for the flu, good for asthma, good for tuberculosis, even thrombosis”, he says in that debut song.
In the song “Bush Doctor” also mention asthma and glaucoma, both ailments that are currently treated with cannabis.
With a public opinion dominated by the criminalizing vision of marijuana, with a science not very inclined to study the plant and its effects and, thus, with little evidence of benefits, Tosh stood up and did not hesitate to proclaim his vision and be an active advocate for weed..
