Cannabis is something that is now taken by everyone, irrespective of gender, race, sexuality among many other things. However, it is usually surprising that many people are not aware of the fact that cannabis had a very strong connection, particularly to the LGBTQ community. If not because of certain LGBTQ personalities, the legalization of marijuana might have been a lot harder and longer to achieve.

What is the relationship between LGBTQ and cannabis?

Of course, this brings us to the very popular Dennis Peron who played a pivotal role in the movement towards the legalization of cannabis. Dennis Peron, an openly gay man, was at the forefront of these movements. It is safe to say we are where we are today as regards marijuana because if him. He’s a Vietnam war veteran who came back to the United States with two pounds of marijuana. After his arrival, he started selling the two pounds of marijuana in San Francisco but this wasn’t without frequent friction with the police. Despite the challenges he faced especially from the police, Peron never gave up but he kept going. Shortly after, his activism started to center around his fellow sexual minorities when the AIDS crisis shook the US during the 90s.

It was during this crisis that Peron discovered the benefits that marijuana could offer in relieving the treatment symptoms of the very serious diseases that a lot of his peers kept dying from. This was what eventually led him into co-writing both Proposition P and Proposition 215 that legalized medical cannabis for the first time in California. Another important figure that contributed to the movement towards the legalization of marijuana was Brownie Mary. Just like Peron, she’s also a member of the LGBTQ community.

The continued relationship between cannabis and the LGBTQ community

The connection between cannabis and the LGBTQ community is one that has lasted until this very moment and will probably continue to be so. The two have a lot in common as can be seen in the fact that more than 30% of LGBTQ adults reported taking cannabis in 2015. This is in huge contrast with that of heterosexual adults in the same year which was just 12%. Indeed, since mental health issues like PSTD as well as depression are more prevalent among LGBTQ people, cannabis has been a source of help to them as a form of medication.

Some notable contributions to LGBTQ’s relationship with cannabis

Certain major cannabis brands today have taken cognizance of the many issues the community is facing today and have taken a positive stand. For instance, PAX labs donated the sum of $50,000 to the History Society of LGBTQ in 2019. The money would help to build the first LGBTQ museum in the US which will feature Dennis Peron.

Besides, FRUIT SLAB also has a pride flavor that celebrates the LGBTQ society throughout the year which means is a collaboration with Laganja Estranja, a popular cannabis drag queen. These and many are some of the commendable efforts by various players in the cannabis industry further solidifying the connection between cannabis and the queer community.