With the consumption of cannabis growing in acceptance, and the associated taboo slowly dying, 2015 is poised to be yet another banner year in the realm of legalization and decriminalization. And let me just say, it’s about damn time. This topic has even caught the attention of investors, one which is predicting a fast track to legalization in all 50 states. I hope his predictions are right, as it does not make fiscal sense to continue on the prohibition bandwagon for this substance.
Alcohol, which also overcame prohibition, has been the more socially acceptable substance and topic in both lyrics and writing, without much thought or controversy. Heck, how many of us have spent mornings bemoaning (in thought and on Facebook) about the predictable after-effects of drinking a tad too much? There are plenty of top 40 songs that make reference to drinking or getting drunk. However, it has only been in recent history that’songs about marijuana are?more widely accepted outside of certain subcultures. Fortunately, some of the trailblazers are easily found.
Here are 15 songs about cannabis, new and old, for your enjoyment.
1. Ganja Babe ? Michael Franti – 2002
2. Who Says ? John Mayer – 2009
3. Day ?N? Nite ? Kid Cudi – 2009
4. Stoner ? Young Thug – 2014
5. Dr. Greenthumb ? Cypress Hill – 1998
6. Weed With Willie ? Toby Keith – 2003
7. Mary Jane ? Rick James – 1978
8. Sweet Leaf ? Black Sabbath – 1971
9. This Weed Iz Mine ? Snoop Dogg – 2011
10. Reefer Man ? Cab Calloway – 1933
11. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Bob Dylan – 1966
12. Let’s Go Get Stoned ? Joe Cocker at Woodstock – 1969
13. Smoke Two Joints ? Sublime – 1992
14. One Draw ? Rita Marley – 1990
15. Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die – Willie Nelson – 2012
Yet,?even with this increase in social acceptance, the legality is still of extreme concern and I felt compelled to place the songs I researched in a ?private? playlist on Spotify. Go figure.
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Elizabeth Preston is a senior writer and an editor for Liberal America. She is a thirty-something wife and mother of three living in Florida. She is a fierce liberal with a passion?for equality and justice. As?a skeptic by nature she is?often the Facebook friend that rains on the urban legend parade with fact checking. Follow her on?Facebook,?Twitter,?and check out her personal blog,?My Four Ha? Pennies.
