Jack Herer was born in the land of buffalo wings and blue cheese, Buffalo, New York. Herer is a cannabis activist with a cult-like following. His book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” tells the forgotten history of hemp and is in its twelfth edition. Campaigning for marijuana and hemp decriminalization for over thirty years, Herer’s impact on cannabis culture still reverberates all over the world, but how did “The Hemperor” come to be?
Herer lived a normal middle-class life after serving in the military. After Herer divorced his wife in 1967, he tried marijuana for the first time with his new girlfriend. Experiencing marijuana’s, he began to pontificate. If this plant makes me feel this good, why is it illegal?
Herer’s first foray into writing was a short cartoon book simply titled “Grass.” It became an underground success, selling over 30,000 copies. Later finding out from a friend that paper used to be made from hemp. After researching these claims, Herer found his calling, championing hemp as the future of industrial textiles.
“The Emperor Wears No Clothes” was released in 1985 and was Herer’s magnum opus. The product of meticulous research, it laid out in detail, hemps origins, its uses throughout human history and its future as a textile godsend. The book explains how hemp came to be illegal, highlighting the likes of William Randolph Hearst, The DuPont Company and Harry J. Anslinger’s “Reefer Madness” campaign.
Some researchers don’t buy Herer’s conspiracy theories, that big players in the textile business conspired against hemp to keep their paper business free from competition. Citing more common reasons for the marijuana/hemp propaganda like racism and misplaced fear of Mexican immigration. However, the documentary “Emperor of Hemp” breaks down several coincidences that give Herer’s claims more credibility than mainstream thinkers would like to admit.
Herer found the film “Hemp for Victory” in a dusty cluttered shelf in the Library of Congress. A film made by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1947. The 14-minute documentary urged farmers to grow as much of the crop as possible to support war efforts. Herer showed the film as an example of hemp’s potential and simultaneously, the government’s willingness to deceive the American public.
In 1994 Jack Herer was given The Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the Field of Citizen Action, by the Conservative Drug Policy Foundation. Finally signaling Herer’s rise to prominence and mainstream acceptance for his hemp activism.
Herer died on April 15, 2010, in Eugene, Oregon due to complications of suffering a heart attack. He’s survived by his son Mark, who dabbles in marijuana advocacy and legislature while growing weed in southern Oregon, per the Oregonian.
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FAQ: Jack Herer, The Hemperor, and His Legacy
Who was Jack Herer?
Jack Herer was an American cannabis activist, author, and hemp advocate. Known as “The Hemperor”, he became one of the most influential figures in marijuana legalization history.
What is the Jack Herer strain?
The Jack Herer strain is a legendary sativa-dominant hybrid named in his honor. It is celebrated for its uplifting effects, spicy pine aroma, and creative energy.
Did Jack Herer serve in the military?
Yes. Before becoming an activist, Jack Herer served in the U.S. Army, living a middle-class life before cannabis advocacy became his mission.
What is Jack Herer’s legacy in cannabis culture?
Herer’s legacy lives on in the strain named after him, the widespread use of hemp in mainstream products, and the influence of his book on cannabis legalization movements worldwide.
What awards did Jack Herer receive?
In 1994, he was honored with the Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the Field of Citizen Action by the Conservative Drug Policy Foundation.
What is The Emperor Wears No Clothes about?
The book highlights hemp’s role in human history, its potential as an industrial crop, and how propaganda and corporations played roles in making it illegal.
What is the connection between Jack Herer and “Hemp for Victory”?
Herer rediscovered the USDA’s 1942 film Hemp for Victory, which showed the government urging farmers to grow hemp for WWII. He used it to prove the government’s hypocrisy in banning the plant.
When did Jack Herer die?
Jack Herer died on April 15, 2010, in Eugene, Oregon, following complications from a heart attack he had suffered months earlier.
Is Jack Herer strain good for creativity?
Yes. The Jack Herer cannabis strain is beloved for its energetic, creative, and euphoric high, making it a top choice for artists and musicians.
What terpenes are in the Jack Herer strain?
The Jack Herer strain typically contains terpenes like terpinolene (floral, herbal), pinene (pine, clarity), and caryophyllene (peppery spice).
How popular is the Jack Herer strain today?
It remains one of the most famous cannabis strains worldwide, consistently winning awards and staying on dispensary menus decades after its creation.
Is the Jack Herer strain good for medical use?
Many medical cannabis patients use Jack Herer for relief from depression, fatigue, stress, and lack of focus due to its uplifting properties.
What is the “Emperor of Hemp”?
Emperor of Hemp is a 1999 documentary film about Jack Herer’s life, activism, and impact on cannabis culture.
Why do cannabis activists admire Jack Herer?
He combined passion with persistence, producing a book that influenced generations and creating a cultural blueprint for today’s cannabis movement.
Where was Jack Herer born?
Jack Herer was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1939.
Is Jack Herer’s family still involved in cannabis?
Yes, his son Mark Herer continues to work in marijuana advocacy and cultivation in Oregon.
