Rastafari Rootzfest Awards Peter Tosh at 27th Annual Festival

Thanks to the eight states who have now legalized marijuana, nearly 1 in 5 Americans can now enjoy legal weed. Those who are happily smoking legalized marijuana today are lucky, but they also have many advocates for legalization throughout history to thank. Peter Tosh, the legendary reggae icon, is one of those people who helped paved the path to legal weed. Because of his contributions, he was given an award by Jamaica’s 27th Annual Rastafari Rootzfest festival.

The first legally exempt ganja event in Jamaica, the Festival was designed as a celebration of indigenous Rastafari livity including the spiritual and physical importance of cannabis as a sacramental herb, coming this year on the heels of the 40th Anniversary of Tosh’s 1976 hit single “Legalize It”.

A self-taught guitar and keyboard player, Peter Tosh and The Wailers became pioneers of the burgeoning reggae scene in the late 1960’s, and together they toured the world for over ten years. He left the band in 1973 to pursue his solo career and earned huge success with “Legalize It” and later solo releases. The Museum project is promised to give fans a deeper look into the man behind the music. Tosh died at the age of 42 in 1987 during a tragic home invasion.

After recognizing both the grand opening of the Peter Tosh Museum earlier this year, the award was accepted by the family of the late Peter Tosh. For more information on Rastafari Rootzfest, visit their website. Check out PeterTosh.com for more info on the reggae artist and his legacy.

If you haven’t heard “Legalize It,” take a listen:

Photos: Peter Tosh Estate