A Valentine’s Day Note to the Emperor of Hemp – We Choo-choo-choose You!

By Mary Ought Six

It’s February 14, 2007, thirty-three years since Jack Herer and close friend Captain Ed Adair pledged to save the world through cannabis. This Valentine’s Day, the odds are up.

Last week, Sir Richard Branson, best known for enterprising the Virgin mega brand, cut the ribbon on his latest innovation: The Virgin Earth Challenge. Branson’s “Earth Challenge” is a contest to present the best concept for ridding the earth of greenhouse gasses and boasts a staggering $25 million prize for the winning idea.

‘Sunshine’ thinks that Herer deserves it. “Few things would make me happier than to hear you were given $25 million for your cause!!” she posted on Jack Herer’s popular MySpace.com page. Herer’s best-selling cult classic, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, has been touting mass hemp production as the solution to our pollution since its first printing in 1985. I contacted Herer after his entry announcement and was sent a nineteen-page document with MySpace comments included, all calling for the Hemperor to throw in his hat for the Virgin millions.

A distinguished six-person panel, which includes one time presidential candidate and global warming aficionado, Al Gore, is charged with judging the contest. Though Gore, a former stoner himself, was unable to comment on the cannabis contribution to the contest due to his judging status, his stance on marijuana law reform - even for medicinal use - has not been favorable. During his 2000 presidential campaign he was quoted saying he saw “no reliable evidence” that marijuana is the most effective pain reliever in any situation.

But this contest isn’t about saving terminally ill patients; it’s about saving a terminally ill planet diagnosed with an unstable climate due to anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases.

In his “Virgin Earth” entry, Herer points out some of the highlights of his life’s research: “All fuel will be made of methanol or a derivative of hemp. All fossil fuel, oil, coal, and natural gas will no longer be used… All paper will be made from hemp. No trees will be cut for paper… The arid land from the Sahara all the way across the world will be planted with hemp.”

It’s a beautiful idea and matched with other benefits Herer has illuminated in Emperor, like living an average of two years longer with daily smoking, the reduction of cancerous aging cells, and the Herer adage, “everything will be a lot more fun,” he certainly has HIGH TIMES’ vote.

This Valentine’s Day we also send serious “XOXO’s” for the truly amorous way that Herer carries on his love-born crusade. Herer nearly lost his life during a massive stroke in 2000, and had another close call last year undergoing triple bypass open-heart surgery. He has pioneered an amazing recovery through a mix of Western medicine and holistic healing and is back on the warpath.

This spring Herer will release the twelfth edition of Emperor, updated with new findings in the quest to end marijuana prohibition. At 67 years old and with an even dozen editions under his belt, Herer will be promoting this release through a nationwide tour called “The Last Word.”

The scheduled start date is slated for the stoner holiday, April 20, and will continue through most of the year. Throughout the tour Herer will take questions and sign books as supporters from across the globe honor him for his groundbreaking achievements. An in-depth multimedia presentation on Herer’s life work will top off the commemoration of the Emperor of Hemp.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Jack Herer. We love you.