In the 90s and early 2000s, smoking marijuana was largely unaccepted and taboo. There was talk that weed was "dangerous," and despite debates and research showing that it was actually safe, and had possible healing properties, it remained banned in every US state. In recent years, more states have come to realize the medical benefits of marijuana, and it has become legal (for medical use only) in many states. It is, however, legal for both medical and recreational use in Colorado and Washington. But let's be honest. Way before marijuana use was approved in certain states, we were listening to Snoop Dogg and Devin the Dude, and we were intrigued. Rappers made weed sound cool.
Since more and more states have started to legalize marijuana, at least for medical use, many hip-hop artists have capitalized and collabed with the weed industry. Snoop has his G-Pen. Wiz Khalifa has his rolling papers. Some rappers even have their very own strains of weed. San Francisco rapper Berner has his "Girl Scout Cookies" strain. Flesh-N-Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony created his own strain of weed in 2013, and months later, inked a distribution deal with a medical-marijuana facility in Michigan. Rappers Riff Raff and Lil Debbie have their own strains as well.
So HotNewHipHop figured that it wouldn't be 4/20 without honoring the hip-hop artists who not only celebrate cannabis everyday, but who also partnered up with the weed industry in order to spread the love to everyone.
So grab your Snoop Dogg G-Pen or your Wiz Khalifa rolling papers, and favorite strain, and let the celebration begin as HotNewHipHop takes a look at hip-hop's connection to the weed industry.