“I WAS INSPIRED BY PETER TOSH’S MUSIC” SAYS GLOBAL CANNABIS ACTIVIST STEVE DeANGELO!

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—
Observer senior reporter—

Steve DeAngelo (Photo: www.stevedeangelo.com)—

Global cannabis activist Steve DeAngelo was last Thursday recognized with the Equal Rights and Justice Award at the fourth annual Peter Tosh Awards.

DeAngelo, an American, was recognized for his more than 40 years of advocacy for the legalization of ganja and more recently his Last Prisoner Project, which seeks to obtain the release of persons still incarcerated on ganja charges especially in parts of the world where the weed is now legal.

He was not present to accept his award, but head of the Peter Tosh Estate, Niambe McIntosh, told the audience at the Peter Tosh Music Festival two days later, that DeAngelo continues to lead the way and carry on her father’s legacy.

“This individual may not be popular in Jamaica, but he has been trodding on and is a real stalwart in the cannabis industry, helping to legalize cannabis but now transitioning over to the cause of equal rights and justice. There is a quote from him where he says he will not rest until every cannabis prisoner is released. So we as the Peter Tosh Museum wanted to honour and celebrate this individual and present this award,” she told the audience at the concert staged at the Pulse Centre in New Kingston.

DeAngelo responded to the award via a video, noting that it was the music of Peter Tosh that got him through some of his darkest days and still offers him the courage to press ahead with his advocacy.

He described the late reggae icon as a general in the army fighting the battle against stigma, and one who endured brutality and trials in order to bring about the level of acceptance many are experiencing today. DeAngelo described Tosh’s music as the marching orders for the army, inspiring the troops to stand up for their rights.

“It continues to this very day when I consider the hundreds of thousands of cannabis prisoners still incarcerated across the world. Peter’s songs inspire me to keep on working, keep on struggling, keep on moving until we bring every single one of them home to their family. When I consider the millions of people who are still suffering needlessly because they don’t have access to the world’s most precious, valuable medicine I am recommitted to make sure that we keep on moving this movement forward until every single person on this planet who needs this plant has it legally and safely and has it affordably,” he continued.

Other awards went to: Douglas Gordon who received the Legalize It Award; culture minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange who was presented with the stepping Razor Award; and Cedella Marley was recognized with the Bush Doctor Award.