By Jodie Giesz-Ramsay. I want to say how much I miss one of our movement’s best, most passionate, relentless and selfless activists – Neil Magnuson. Neil is no longer with us but he will never be forgotten. I got to know Neil during my very first days as an activist in Vancouver over 21 years ago. Almost every photo of us is on the stage at 4/20 and Cannabis Day, where we stood together as he boldly sang our cultural anthem every year before the 4:20 pm countdown. He was always at the Global Marijuana March, and most every other event too, educating everyone around him. You can see me and Neil on the right in the picture above. We are holding the signs. His passion was always so bright!
When it comes to activism, Neil was been a core part of our “Cannabis Culture” team, and a fantastic spokesperson for our cause. He hosted a weekly show on Pot TV and he even helped build the official studio, along with accomplishing so many other important tasks at CC Headquarters. He did so much more great work in our community. I watched him evolve constantly as an advocate alongside my own journey and I grew to admire his efforts — especially his “Cannabis Substitution Project” efforts. When he died Neil was still facing charges in court for providing safe access to people in need under the “Cannabis Act”.
For over two decades Jodie Giesz-Ramsay has been a leader of the legalization struggle in Canada. A “Jodie” Google search came up with numerous accolades including “Wonder Women of Weed” and “Entrepreneurial Rebel With a Cause.” Check it out.