Symbols are powerful. They are a core part of the human identity and can be found throughout life everywhere: partners wear rings to symbolize their marriage, American flags represent freedom (or tragedy and celebration, depending on the position), and everything from brands to devices have logos that communicate a specific meaning. The marijuana leaf is among the many symbols of everyday life.
It is one of the most recognized pieces of botanic anatomy in the world: There is a point in every person's life when they find out what the leafy outline stands for and all of the associated connotations.
The marijuana leaf holds significance throughout the cannabis community and has for quite some time. While the image is often simple – it is just the shape of an actual plant, after all – it has become iconic.
The marijuana leaf has become a cultural icon, for three main reasons:
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Statement of Rebellion
The leaf is a declaration of rebellion. Consumers wear it to make a statement. They smoke it, and they are proud. They get high, regardless of what anybody thinks about it.
While cannabis has been feeling the love the past few years – regarding statewide legalization and decriminalization – it has had a rocky past. Not only was it frowned upon to get high, it was illegal to even own marijuana, and still is in many places. Mainstream culture considered marijuana consumption a societal negative, resulting in lazy, substance-dependent users.
This cultural pressure to stay away and "just say no," however, did not stop people from lighting up.
Smokers, tokers, and stoners redefined themselves apart from the mainstream. They were rebels from the get-go; when hippies started their free-love-and-flowing-weed philosophy in the sixties, cannabis gained traction as a statement of defiance. And what did these bud-lovers do? They showed off their disobedience.
The marijuana leaf allowed stoners everywhere to let other people in on their secret. They smoked weed and drew pot leaves on all their notebooks, in case it wasn't obvious. Consumers got tattoos. There were bumper stickers and t-shirts and socks.
The rest of the world was labeling marijuana users, so they branded themselves. With the leaf: they reclaimed it, throwing away the negative connotations and just owning it for all its green goddess power. They weren't about to conform, and the leaf is and always has been a statement of rebellion.
Form of Activism
The marijuana leaf is a form of activism, whether it is worn, proudly displayed, or talked about.
Every movement needs something to rally behind. We've seen this manifest in many ways, from Che t-shirts to Obama-style portraits to yellow Livestrong bracelets to resisters with signs reading, "Nevertheless, she persisted." As issues come and go, their symbols live and die. They become irrelevant and discarded, as useful as a "Kony 2012" bumper sticker.
Somehow, the pot leaf imagery has stuck around. It has been with cannabis enthusiasts since the beginning and has survived the trials and tribulations of societal acceptance.
The marijuana leaf is symbol of dissent that has lasted the test of time, making it a true cultural icon. More than that, the depiction of the plant represents a world of activism that refuses to die down and go away.
The fight for cannabis legalization – both recreational and medical – has been long and fraught with both losses and successes. There are activists who recognize the value in this herb, the racial injustices associated with criminals, and the healing powers that come with access. There are many opportunities to get involved with pro-canna activism: The industry needs research, advocates, events, and opportunities for education.
For people unable to get traditionally involved, however, the marijuana leaf has always been a way to passively support the movement and show solidarity. With tagged merch and doodles and accessories, consumers are opening the door to a bigger conversation: "Oh, you think marijuana is good?"
Activists, whether totally invested or just wearing a pro-cannabis shirt, fight for a cause while shining under the shield of the pot leaf.
A Warning:
In order to maintain the marijuana leaf's longevity, it is important not to overuse the symbol. Keeping it classy and upholding the dignity of the plant as an empowering symbol – rather than one to plaster all over everything from lingerie to bongs – is necessary to uphold its power. If the leaf continues to be used as a novelty item, its purpose might get lost in the over-saturation.
Community Solidarity
The marijuana leaf has become a symbol of togetherness. This communal effect goes back ages and eras and extends into today's world.
Throughout History
The cannabis leaf-loving community started to form long before issues of prohibition and counterculture were relevant topics. Regardless of the era, these feelings of solidarity were captured through art; the relevance of marijuana was upheld through paintings and illustrations.
For example, ancient communities admired the visual beauty of the marijuana leaf, as well as its medicinal and recreational properties; humans have been credited with hemp and marijuana cultivation for over 12,000 years. An ancient cave painting depicts the flower, dating back to the Neolithic era: between 10,000 and 5,000 B.C., possibly the earliest form of admiration for the marijuana leaf. The "Portrait of the Immortal Magu," dated in the 12th century, is a painting of the Asian goddess known as the Hemp Maiden, which shows the beautiful woman draped with the cannabis leaves.
Cannabis leaves continued to be featured in works of art as both a fore and background symbol. Botanical artists of the Enlightenment era created sophisticated renderings. Medieval artists took a liking to the greenery, in both religious and scientific pieces. Professors illustrated the leaves while studying botanical art as the 20th century turned.
The marijuana leaf became a representation of many worlds: science, art, medicine, and progress.
The pot leaf has been depicted time and time again. History speaks for itself: The marijuana leaf acts as a symbol of empowerment. It represents community. It shows advancement. It represents power in solidarity. Cannabis and those who appreciated it were admired and revered, bringing together different walks of life.
In Modern Life
Today, the same rings true. Online, "green porn," also known as the photography of cannabis, has become a trend allowing internet users to take and share art. Whether its drawings of weed or a striking picture, there is a universal understanding of passion.
In person, this community solidarity can manifest as an enamel pin, a pair of socks, or a water bottle sticker; when the pot leaf is spotted in public, people are brought together. It becomes a topic of conversation and a piece of similarity that brings marijuana lovers to each other, gravitating toward someone who won't judge their choices, can relate to their experiences, and is likely to be open to good, healing vibes.
Dispensaries have also claimed the symbol, marking everything from their doors to their products with the leaf. It signifies a welcoming place, a safe place. A spot special for the cannabis community, marked by a botanical shape.
This element of togetherness, brought on by the timeless marijuana leaf, is iconic. It has manifested the power of rebellion, activism, and community – displayed throughout time.
