Keepers of Peter Tosh legacy and OHJA Herb House get high on 4/20
Published:Tuesday | April 20, 2021 | 12:10 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
On Monday, a billboard in Times Square, New York, loudly proclaimed, ‘Nasdaq salutes International Peter Tosh Day’ along with an advertisement detailing activities for today, April 20, the official weed day, also known as 4/20 (four-twenty). Reggae’s Stepping Razor, Peter Tosh, had long advocated for the legalisation of ganja and his song, Legalise It, is an anthem in its own right and a soundtrack for the movement.
To amp up the excitement for International Peter Tosh Day, across social media, there have been exciting giveaways. One such promotion stated, “Bless up! The Prophet is front and centre in NYC! Take a selfie in front of this billboard in Times Square, post with hashtag #PeterTosh420, and one lucky winner will be selected to receive the red ‘Legalise It’ merch bundle!”
The Peter Tosh Legacy and Brands will commemorate International Peter Tosh Day with a virtual festival paying tribute to the cannabis activist, and many smokers will no doubt follow the Grammy-winning artiste’s instructions to “Light your spliff/Light your chalice/Make we smoke it in Buk In Hamm Palace/Lend me a paper/Lend me a fire/Mek we chase way all the vampire.”
Peter Tosh launched anti-apartheid campaigns, advocated for African liberation, and became an influential voice for the voiceless and this year’s festivities are intended to bring the world together to celebrate this icon, while staying safe, but connected, a release stated.
“The music of my father, Peter Tosh, demarcates the beginning of an international movement to decriminalise cannabis,” Niambe McIntosh, administrator of her father’s estate, said.
“His music transcended time and continues to resonate with today’s activists. We are proud partners and look forward to this global celebration where all international M4MM chapters and members will participate and salute the late great Peter Tosh,” said Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of M4MM.
VIRTUAL BROADCAST
The day-long event will welcome and feature cannabis growers, infusion culinary artists, licensed distributors, celebrities, artists, cannabis entrepreneurs, policy makers, advocates, legal professionals, medical professionals, and cannabis enthusiasts. Events will be broadcast across multiple social media and virtual platforms
And, even as the keepers of Tosh’s legacy ensure that the spliff keeps burning, medicinal ganja dispensary, OHJA Herb House, based in Kingston and Montego Bay, also has a full day of activities planned. Brand Manager Wonakee Amos explained that the company has created the ‘OHJA 4:20 Virtual Experience’ since it is one of the most popular international cannabis days of activism and celebration.
“OHJA Herb House will continue to connect to our diverse digital customer base and viewers with an interactive and wholesome line-up of activities across Kingston and Montego Bay branches. Our focus is on mental and physical health and wellness, creative cooking, art and entertainment. This is our very first 4/20 and we are proud to be in a position to celebrate this international and well-known holiday, and it will encompass some significant aspects of our brand,” Amos said.
The company, which opened its doors last year July, has joined forces with Chris Satta TV for an exciting online freestyle challenge, for which they have received more than 50 entries.
“Chris Satta is a UK DJ and producer from BBC based in London. He is absolutely enthusiastic about Jamaican dancehall culture and so we decided to partner to do a 4/20 Freestyle Challenge where contestants are to do a one-minute freestyle about cannabis. The twist is, the contestants must mention OHJA and are not allowed to use profanity or violent lyrics,” Amos shared. Entries closed on Monday.
Other activities include Yoga and Mediation with Kalisse Kelly; cannabis-infused cooking with Chef Sterling; Dub Challenge; and a live show hosted by Nikki Z and Mr Lexx.
The virtual celebration to be hosted on Instagram Live today kicks off at 7 a.m.