Advocate Spotlight: Brownie Mary

Today we’re shining a spotlight on an early cannabis advocate: Mary Jane Rathbun, affectionately known as Brownie Mary. Highlighting just a few of her victories in the fight for the compassionate legalization of cannabis. She played a pivotal role not only in grassroots advocacy but also in the establishment of the first medical cannabis dispensary in the United States. Born in 1922, Brownie Mary gained prominence for her unconventional activism. It all started with a brownie. She started baking and selling her “magically delicious” cannabis infused brownies to earn some extra cash while working as a waitress in San Francisco's Castro District. Her journey into advocacy began somewhat providentially, with her first arrest in 1981. She was caught in her home with dozens of brownies, and pounds of pot. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, as well as community service - ultimately leading her to volunteer with the Shanti project. A volunteer organization dedicated to providing support to those caught in the emerging AIDS crisis. 

Following her community service hours, she continued to be deeply involved with the Shanti Project and regularly volunteered in ward 86 at San Francisco General Hospital. Through her volunteer work, she witnessed firsthand the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for managing symptoms like nausea and appetite loss among AIDS patients. Her efforts to distribute cannabis-infused brownies for free to those in need became an iconic symbol of compassion and defiance against legal restrictions. Despite facing multiple arrests over the years for her cannabis distribution, Brownie Mary remained steadfast in her mission. Her arrests and subsequent legal battles garnered significant media attention and public sympathy, ultimately helping to shift public perception regarding the medical use of cannabis. Her activism played a crucial role in influencing local policies; in 1991, the city of San Francisco granted her permission to distribute her brownies to AIDS patients.

Her activism continued leading her and Dennis Peron to co-found the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club in 1992, marking a historic milestone as the first medical cannabis dispensary in the United States. This groundbreaking initiative provided a safe space for patients to access cannabis for medical purposes, challenging existing laws and paving the way for future dispensaries nationwide. Four years later, in 1996, Rathbun and Peron campaigned vigorously for California Proposition 215, a groundbreaking voter initiative that legalized the medical use of cannabis in the state with a physician's recommendation. The proposition passed with over 55 percent of the vote, marking a significant victory for medical marijuana advocates and inspiring similar legislation in other states across the country.

In recognition of her tireless advocacy and humanitarian efforts, Mary was honored as the Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 1997, alongside Dennis Peron (an incredibly important activist in his own right, who will be getting his own spotlight!). This accolade underscored her status as a beloved figure within both the LGBTQ+ community and the broader medical cannabis movement. Brownie Mary Rathbun's legacy continues to resonate today, serving as a testament to the power of grassroots activism in driving social change and advancing the rights of patients to access alternative medical treatments.  Her courageous advocacy and compassionate spirit have left an enduring impact on the fight for cannabis legalization and medical freedom in the United States and beyond.