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Ain’t nothing like a Free Black Woman. Considering the rules, stigmas and social pressure that society lords over us all, there’s something special about the folks who have the confidence to be unapologetic about who they are. While men have had a bit more freedom to be identified as ‘stoners’ or ‘weed heads,’ women who toke are, unsurprisingly, faced with yet-another gross double standard on the basis of gender. Throw race in the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for personal and professional challenges galore.
For that reason, CASSIUS wants to take a minute or two to pay much respect to some of the bad-ass sisters who have embraced ‘the mighty herb’ without apology. Puffin’ ain’t easy (for most folks), but these ladies make it look damn good.
Mary Jane Girls [PHOTOS] was originally published on cassiuslife.com
1. Maya Angelou
In ‘Gather Together in My Name,” the late poet/activist/icon opened up about her introduction to marijuana as a young woman: “I learned new postures and developed new dreams. From a natural stiffness I melted into a grinning tolerance. Walking on the streets became high adventure, eating my mother’s huge dinners an opulent entertainment, and playing with my son was side-cracking hilarity. For the first time, life amused me.”
2. Rihanna
The 30-year-old pop star/budding mogul was allegedly kicked out of a hotel for smoking weed in her native Barbados back in 2010. Since then, “Bad Gal RiRi” has been quite open with her love of marijuana, enjoying it openly on vacations, at concerts and on social media, and we love her even more for it.
3. Jhene Aiko
The singer, who has penned a marijuana anthem or two in her day, has been candid about her weed usage for years. She told BuzzFeed that she’s “a social smoker, not a pothead,” and that she believes cannabis can greatly enhance the quality of life for women, especially mothers like herself.
4. Josephine Baker
The famed dancer was said to enjoy a bit of high-quality cannabis before and after performances, at times indulging with the likes of the Prince of Wales and other luminaries.
5. Missy Elliot
“I’m sitting on the curb/with a pocket full of herb/I don’t know if y’all heard/I’m high as a bird”-the Poet Laureate of Portsmouth, Virginia
6. Trina
While “The Baddest B*tch” has been making marijuana references in her music since she first hit the scene 20 years ago, her viral “Light the blunt” rant last year was both high-larious and relatable AF.
7. Sarah Vaughan
The late singer, known for having one of the best voices in the history of jazz, is said to have sparked up with the likes of Charlie “Bird” Parker and other collaborators.
8. Princess Nokia
The “Green Line” rapper is as open on IG with her weed-usage as she is in her music.
9. Kehlani
The Oakland native makes it plain on her track “CRZY”: “Lit, lit, lit, lit/ Only L I take is to the face.”
10. Mary Lou Williams
The pianist and composer, who wrote tunes for Duke Ellignton and counted the likes of Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis among her mentees, had a strong love for marijuana which, unlike liquor, “agreed with her.”n
11. SZA
The First Lady of TDE once told L.A. Weekly that she’s not sure if she’s smoking too much or if weed is keeping her “grounded.” Judging from the incredible year she had in 2017, we’re thinking it was the latter.
