Cannabis Icon, Afroman, Announces 2024 Run for Presidency
This past weekend, notable musician and cannabis icon, Afroman, has announced that he will be running for president in the upcoming 2024 election.
Afroman's rise to popularity can be partially attributed to his hit song from the early 2000's, "Because I Got High." Born in Los Angeles as Joseph Edgar Foreman, the artist began his music career early - writing, recording, and selling songs to classmates when he was only in the eighth grade!
His first official album as Afroman was released in 1998 before moving to Mississippi, where he formed connections in the music industry that would eventually help produce "Because I Got High." The song became a huge stoner hit in 2001, and was featured in classic movies such as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - further solidifying Afroman's status as a cannabis icon.
At a concert performance at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on Sunday, Afroman officially announced his candidacy, and later posted his message to social media as well.
"My Fellow Americans, there comes a time in the course of human events when change must be affected. That time is now. Americans are suffering, and the status quo is no longer acceptable. Inflation is out of control. The economy is in shambles. The housing market is staggering. Politicians are corrupt. Bad apples are allowed to remain in law enforcement, amongst our noble and brave officers," he states.
"It is my immense honor and pleasure to formally announce Afroman as an independent candidate for President of the United States of America," the artist added.
Afroman promised to make cannabis reform a top priority of his campaign, calling himself "Cannabis Commander in Chief" and "Pot Head of State" in his social media announcement.
"Medicinal plants are criminalized, while pharmaceutical companies enrich themselves on chemicals with unknown side effects," he says in his post. "The media sows the seeds of hatred 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. They attempt to divide based on race, religion, gender, sexual preference, and every other category that they can think of."
In a separate post, the musician outlined eight main priorities for his campaign, including decriminalizing cannabis and "other substances with low harm profiles." His promise to enact meaningful reform would also include the launch of a public service announcement to publicize cannabis's benefits.
He pledges to push for criminal justice reforms - noting that "more than 40,000 people are incarcerated for cannabis at any given time, at a cost of more than $1.5 billion per year." He states that he is committed to "commuting the sentences of all nonviolent federal cannabis prisoners," and that he will "work hard to right the wrongs of the past, in all areas where Americans have been failed within the criminal justice system."
Afroman has also called for law enforcement reforms, the end of all foreign aid, reparations for African Americans, tax breaks for professional athletes "to encourage celebratory displays," the legalization of prostitution, and the "promotion of of unity, peace, and love."
"We need a candidate that is truly elected by the people, and for the people. We need a man that can step up and lead with a firm hand," he writes. "The people are starved for a Commander in Chief, that leads from a place of love and not hate. In these dark times, we need a leader that truly embodies the American dream."
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