Marijuana has spent most of modern history as an outlaw, considered to be a danger to society, associated with criminals and devil worshippers. However, over the last few decades, some important people took a step back and realized the absurdity of a prohibition of a little green plant. The people on this list are known for breaking down the stereotypes of cannabis and helping to bring marijuana into the mainstream. 

10. Mike Tyson

Known as the "baddest man on the planet", Tyson is known for his killer instinct and brutal knockout power as a heavyweight boxer. Widely considered the best heavyweight boxer of all time, you might be surprised that such an intense human being like to chill on his couch with a fat blunt. In retirement, Tyson owns his own cannabis company, Tyson 2.0, recently releasing a new product called Mike Bites. These small ear shaped THC gummies are a play on his controversial fight in 1997 when Tyson bit a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear. Tyson was disqualified and fined $3 million, but he seems to be using the situation to his advantage a few decades later. 

9. Michael Phelps

Being the most decorated Olympian of all time, many people were surprised to hear that Phelps partakes in the devils lettuce. In 2009, a photo of the swimmer taking a hit from a cannabis pipe was released and took the world by storm. Phelps never tested positive for marijuana in his system and wasn't suspended until after the 2008 Olympics, so it didn't effect his eligibility to compete. It did, however, get people talking about cannabis and its' possible benefits to athletes in a time when cannabis use was largely looked down upon in society. 

7. Rihanna

Recently becoming the richest female musician in the world, Rihanna continues to expand her brand in the music industry as well as in the fashion and beauty industry with her Savage x Fenty and Fenty Beauty brands. With all of her success, the musician and businesswomen has not been shy about her love affair with marijuana. Seen on a regular basis enjoying her lavish lifestyle with blunt in hand, many fans believed Rihanna was planning on starting a cannabis business called "MaRihanna"; it ended up being a false rumor, but we still have hope that Rihanna will eventually step into the weed industry. 

8. Jay-Z

Becoming the first ever hip-hop billionaire, the Brooklyn native Jay-Z is one of most influential artists in the music industry. Although he mostly known for his musical endeavors, his business moves and social justice advocacy are what really stand out about HOV. Along with numerous other investments, he started Roc Nation, signing dozens of talented artists, in addition, Jay started an artist first streaming platform called TIDAL to challenge the status quo of an industry known to take advantage of its artists. Jay-Z is also a leader in social justice, particularly involving black communities, hosting inaugural summits to discuss the problems in these communities with other leaders and experts. With his friendship with the Obamas and "sitting next to Hillary smellin' like dank", Jay-Z has made big moves for his communities, including the cannabis community. The connections he's made and conversations he's had have helped make it possible to build companies like Monogram, his line of cannabis products. 

6. Cheech and Chong

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are a comedy duo who build their success around grass. With their stand up routines and feature films like "Up In Smoke", Cheech and Chong challenged much of America's ideas becoming icons of the counterculture in the late 70's. Their influence on the law wasn't felt until much later though, Chong spent time behind bars for drug paraphernalia because his company, Chong's Glass, was making bongs and other smoking pieces. 

5. Willie Nelson

Known to most as a country music legend, this old timer is also cemented in the marijuana hall of fame, and considered to be on the "Mount Rushmore of Pot Smokers" along with Bob Marley, Cheech and Chong, and Snoop D-O-Double G who says, "Willie Nelson is the only person to ever out smoke Snoop Dogg. I had to hit the timeout button!”. He spent much of his life a strong advocate for the legalization of Marijuana, even spending some time in jail because of his love for the plant. Jail didn't stop him from fighting the law, Willie now serves as a co-chair of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML); and now that America has relaxed on it's cannabis laws, thanks in part to him, Nelson opened up his own chain of weed of shops called Willie's Reserve. 

4. Bob Marley

This Jamaican reggae music sensation took the world by storm over the course of his career. Starting off his music career as a member of a The Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, Marley shared his philosophies of love and peace through his music. He was outspoken about social justice issues, writing “No chains around my feet, but I’m not free, I know I am bounded in captivity" in his song Concrete Jungle. Along with his social justice advocacy, Bob Marley fought for the legalization of cannabis writing songs like "Kaya", which is basically a love song to Mary Jane. 

Honorable Mentions

• Ben and Jerry
• Nate and Nick Diaz
• Marshawn Lynch
• Miley Cyrus
• Cameron Diaz
• 2 Chainz

These names didn't quite make the list but don't let that take away the respect they deserve. Ben and Jerry make the perfect munchies snack, but they also fight for legalization and other social causes. Nate and Nick Diaz beat the shit out of people in the UFC while advocating for the benefits of cannabis in athletics. Nate even considers himself the "number one athletic stoner - besides Michael Phelps". Marshawn Lynch owns Dodi Blunts, which makes handcrafted blunts and gives back to communities effected by the war on drugs. Miley Cyrus turned heads after dropping the kid shows and swinging into the spotlight on a giant concrete ball and a joint into her hand. Cameron Diaz is well known for the story of herself in high school when she would buy weed from Uncle Snoop. Like much of the hip-hop/rap community, 2 Chainz is also a marijuana enthusiast, opening his own dispensary called 'Pineapple Express' in Hollywood. Speaking of Pineapple Express...

3. Seth Rogen

A modern day renaissance man, spreading himself across the comedy, filmmaking, acting, and cannabis industry. As far as entertainment goes, Rogen pushed out classic movies like Superbad, The interview, The Green Hornet, and a personal favorite, Pineapple Express. Following in the footsteps of Cheech and Chong, his comedy movies are raunchy and definitely not child friendly, but despite the political incorrectness, Seth pushed the marijuana conversation in Hollywood and mainstream media. He continues to work on movies, but he spends most of his free time on his weed business, Houseplant, developing high end smoking accessories, often times making them himself. 

2. Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa is a veteran in the rap industry blessing his fans with regular vibes since 2006. It would be difficult to find a song in his discography that doesn't mention his favorite plant at least once; even naming his breakout studio album "Rolling Papers". Wiz is quoted saying he smokes about an ounce of weed a day, so naturally Wiz and Uncle Snoop are smoking on the regular together. The Friendship between Wiz and Snoop has led to countless stoner anthems in addition to a cult classic film, Mac and Devin Go to High School. He also got his own weed suckaaaa, he ain't gotta hit yours, Wiz is blowin' Khalifa Kush. 

1. Snoop Dogg

Stoner or not, you've seen or heard Snoop somewhere. Whether it be random commercial appearances, Super-Bowl halftime shows, social media, music, or movies, chances are the Dogg has his finger prints on it. With his one of a kind voice and personality, Snoop quickly cemented himself as an OG in the hip-hop community as well as struggling inner cities. Uncle Snoop is passionate about lifting up communities like the one he grew up in, Long Beach, California by organizing youth sports leagues and even holding a gang summit discussing ways to curb violence between rival gangs. A leader in his community, a business man, a hip-hop legend, and a cultural icon, all with a blunt in hand. 

Cannabis laws around the world are quickly changing and peoples perception of pot smokers are becoming more positive. There is still a lot of work to be done in the United States and around the world, without these influencers putting marijuana into the spotlight and starting conversations around weed, who knows what the cannabis industry would look like today.