Episode 4: Eddy Lepp

In the fast paced culture of the current cannabis industry, not many people have earned the “O.G.” moniker, but O.G. Eddy Lepp is an originator, not a “Johnny come lately”. Eddy Lepp served as an inspiration for many, he was a man filled with compassion and blessed with the gift of gardening. Unselfishly, this pioneer took the risks of acting and speaking publicly in a time when few others were willing to do the same. Unfortunately, he also paid dearly for his activism, with nearly 10 years behind prison bars. Eddy held a deep seated belief in the power of the plant, not only as a medicine, but also as a guide. Those personal truths drove almost every decision in Eddys’ adult life. Without doubt or argument, there exists 1,000s of people who were positively impacted by this legend of Cannabis. Dope history is proud to share his story. It all started as wanting to see people happier and healthier, at the journeys height, it was a farm with over 32,000 cannabis plants dedicated to licensed medicinal patients. In-between these two points, came a bust in 1997, which in the subsequent court proceedings saw Eddy Lepp become the first California resident acquitted under their medical cannabis program, Prop 215. As his wife Linda’s health improved, the two activists were connected with the first doctor to write medical prescriptions in California, Dr. Tod Mikuriya. Together they ushered in over 30,000 patients to the legal medical system. In 2000 Eddy Lepp founded the Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari, which fit his ideals of “living life in purity and truth”. At the time that this adventure reached its apex, the DEA were on their way to arrest Eddy once again. This time, it would lead to a 10 year prison sentence. Throughout Eddys’ journey, his paths crossed and often merged with celebrities, elite minds and major players in the cannabis legalization movement. After his release from prison in 2016, he was an in-demand cannabis celebrity in the minds of many, serving as a face symbolizing the legalization movement. Attending many of the events and festivals as a guest speaker, he was frequently meeting high profile musicians and even budding cannabis entrepreneurs like Mike Tyson. Yet, before there was a legal industry to speak of, he was paving the way with other pioneers of the cannabis movement, Jack Herer, Brownie Mary, Ed Rosenthal, Pebbles Trippet, and the major force behind Californias’ Prop 215, Dennis Peron. The relationship between Dennis and Eddy reached deep into the California legalization movement and it possibly may never have been the same there if those two did not meet. Eddy was humble about his contributions, downplaying his significance, but at the same time, conscience of the advancements being made. Religion is a subject Eddy had pondered over since he was a child, eventually becoming a practicing Rastafarian and Minister of the Rastafarian faith. This was not some scheme to grow Cannabis under the guise of religious freedom, it was a genuine destination on a road of exploration and discovery. Faith played an important and influential role in his life and was an integral component that delivered him from depression and hard drug use after he returned from the Vietnam War. In 2002 Eddy founded the multi-denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari. Recognized at the Supreme Court level as a religion which enjoys certain protections under the law, this was not factored into his trail for the 2004 arrest and sentencing. In 2017 after his release, along with his wife Heidi Grossman, he founded a new church, the Sugarleaf Church of Rastafarian and Cannabis Love. Eddy was a fighter, he wasn’t a person that readily accepted the stoner stereotype. He had seen the medicinal benefits through various people that were in his life. Conversely, he also understood the commercial potential of hemp derived products. On his journey, he was surrounded by fellow cannabis warriors and as they slowly succumbed to illness over the years, Eddy ensured them that he would continue to carry the torch forward. It wasn’t until later in life that Eddy was reminded by a fellow grower that the majority of the genetics raised and created in his gardens, served as the backbone for much of the fire genetics we have today. In 2017, OG Eddy Lepp received the Lifetime Achievement Award from High Times Magazine, which was a fitting gesture and another accolade to the legend. Eddy Lepp passed away August 16th, 2021 almost a year after his October 2020 Cancer diagnosis. In 2020 Eddy had started his own YouTube page, which remains up today. It featured his friends and legends, but also gave us a closer look into the passion and the life of a man who created so much opportunity for us all. Dope History was fortunate to have the opportunity to record this interview and the experience is one that will not be forgotten. Eddy Lepp was gracious with his time, he was an open book and allowed us all to share important, personal moments of his journey. A rockstar to some, a hero to many, and a savior to tens-of-thousands, OG Eddy Lepp will always be remembered as a legend on Cannabis. I think if there was one thing he would of liked me to say here, it would be - Keep the message alive.