TITLE:
The Enduring Power of Reggae Lyrics: Utilizing Peter Tosh’s “Legalise It” and Joseph Hill’s “Legalisation” for Marijuana Legalization Advocacy
AUTHORS:
Rita Ndonibi, Faith Ben-Daniels, Jonathan Essuman, Kingsley Ohene Adu Brempong
KEYWORDS:
Reggae, Legalisation, Marijuana, Social Justice, Systemic Oppression
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: This paper explores the long-lasting impact of reggae music on the marijuana legalisation movement, particularly as it relates to Peter Tosh’s song “Legalise It” and Joseph Hill’s “Legalisation”. This advocacy has a unique platform thanks to reggae’s historical ties to social criticism and the Rastafarian religion, which reveres marijuana. With a focus on normalisation and economic advantages, Tosh’s 1976 anthem provided straightforward, practical justifications for legalisation. With its critique of systemic oppression and emphasis on religious freedom, Hill’s “Legalise”, which was probably published around 2000, offered a more politically and spiritually charged viewpoint. Despite being written in entirely different sociopolitical contexts, both songs have had a significant impact on public opinion and the global movement to legalise marijuana. These songs’ unique lyrical styles and reggae’s innate connection to social justice have made them appealing to a wide range of listeners and helped the ongoing evolution of drug policy reform.