Brownie Mary

Brownie Mary

Brownie Mary at People's Park, 1995

Brownie Mary, born Mary Jane Rathbun, was an American activist known for her work in the medical cannabis movement. She gained fame for baking and distributing cannabis-infused brownies to AIDS patients in San Francisco during the 1980s and 1990s. Her efforts were instrumental in the eventual legalization of medical cannabis in California.

Early Life

Mary Jane Rathbun was born on December 22, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to San Francisco in the 1970s, where she became involved in the LGBT community and began her activism.

Activism

Brownie Mary became a well-known figure in the Castro District of San Francisco. She volunteered at the San Francisco General Hospital and was a member of the Shanti Project, an organization providing support to people with life-threatening illnesses.

Cannabis Brownies

Mary began baking cannabis brownies to help alleviate the pain and suffering of AIDS patients. Her "magically delicious" brownies became famous, and she distributed them free of charge to those in need. Her work was illegal at the time, and she was arrested multiple times for her activities.

Legal Challenges

Brownie Mary faced several legal challenges due to her distribution of cannabis. She was arrested in 1981, 1982, and 1992, but her cases drew significant public attention and support. Her trials helped raise awareness about the potential benefits of medical cannabis.

Legacy

Brownie Mary's activism played a crucial role in the passage of California Proposition 215 (1996), which legalized medical cannabis in California. She is remembered as a pioneer in the medical cannabis movement and a compassionate advocate for patients' rights.

Related Pages

• Medical cannabis
• AIDS
• California Proposition 215 (1996)
• LGBT rights in the United States