Gatewood Galbraith - A True Hemp Hero
Exploring the Life and Impact of a Hemp Icon.
My first time in High Times Magazine was with Gatewood, August of 1991.
The above video features Gatewood Galbraith discussing the human revolution, individual sovereignty, role-models and the character of heroes. He also speaks of the need for individuals from this generation to stand up and take action on the problems of today. Sitting on his left is Paul Stanford and sitting on his right is Casper Leitch. This was filmed August 3, 2011 at a fundraiser for his run for the Governor of KY.
Gatewood Galbraith was a guest on Time 4 Hemp, click here to listen to that segment.
Gatewood Galbraith was the Last Free Man In America.
I met Gatewood Galbraith in 1991 at the April 20th San Francisco Earth Day Festival. I was attending the event as a featured speaker along side Gatewood, Jack Herer and Ed Rosenthal. I recorded a few interviews during the day that I intended to use as roll-in material on my television series, Time 4 Hemp, and Gatewood was one of the people I sat down with. He and I were friends ever since. It really rattled me when he passed away January 12, 2012. During the interview, Jack Herer received a fax from the Henry Ford Museum that confirmed the fact that Henry Ford DID INDEED make a automobile out of hemp. While the cameras were rolling, Jack burst into the interview to share his news with us.
Every time Gatewood came onto my programs as a guest, he would ask if we could do a segment completely focused on using hemp as primary fuel source. We finally did. If you would like to listen to it, it’s only 35-mins and can be found when you click on the below link.
Hemp IS Petroleum - Gatewood Galbraith.
When I think of Gatewood, it's easy for me to conjure images of him as the spirited advocate who championed cannabis legalization in Kentucky. As his friend, I got to see behind his vibrant persona what a multifaceted individual he truly was. His legacy extends far beyond his political pursuits.
Gatewood Grew-up In Hemp.
Born in 1947 in Carlisle, Kentucky, Galbraith grew up to become a prominent figure in Kentucky politics. Known affectionately as "Gatewood" throughout the Commonwealth, he embarked on a relentless crusade to end the prohibition of cannabis. His fervent advocacy earned him the admiration of notables like Ralph Nader, Willie Nelson, and Woody Harrelson.
At the heart of Gatewood's mission was the restoration of hemp as a vital economic resource. He envisioned a future where industrial hemp revitalized rural communities and fueled economic growth. Gatewood's unwavering commitment to this cause manifested in various forms. When out campaigning he would wear suits made of hemp fiber and often drove his car which he had re-tooled to run on hemp fuel.
Despite facing electoral setbacks, Gatewood Galbraith remained steadfast in his beliefs. His platform, centered on cannabis legalization and rural empowerment, resonated deeply with Kentuckians. Beyond politics, Galbraith championed environmental conservation and educational reform, embodying the ethos of a true populist. His message soon went global.
Planting Seeds Of Truth.
Between campaigns for statewide office, Gatewood made a name for himself as a defense attorney, including serving as pro bono counsel in the country’s first felony medical marijuana case. He fought against the spraying of paraquat in the Daniel Boone National Forest in the 1980s, gaining national attention for his prescient opposition to the toxic herbicide.
The New York Times referred to him in 1983 as, “… an unsuccessful candidate for state agricultural commissioner … who favors legalizing marijuana.” He opposed the mountaintop removal method of mining in Eastern Kentucky, noting that it had caused “unsurpassed environmental damage” across the region. His real calling card, however, was hemp.
Digging In Deeper.
Gatewood’s left field stances and larger-than-life persona also attracted a number of celebrity friends and admirers. In 1991, Gatewood appeared on the cover of High Times Magazine with friend and fellow cannabis using icon Willie Nelson, who campaigned on his behalf from Louisville to Lexington.
Gatewood Galbraith began running for office on the hemp platform and it never changed.
High Times Cover, January 1991.
Willie Nelson and Gatewood Galbraith in 1991.
When Woody Harrelson was arrested in 1996 for planting four hemp seeds in Lee County, Kentucky as a deliberate challenge to state cannabis laws, Gatewood was right by his side in support. Four years later, after Harrelson was acquitted, the two starred in the 2003 film, Hempsters: Plant the Seed.
HEMPSTERS: PLANT THE SEED follows six famous activists as they fight to legalize industrial hemp in the United States. Featured are Gatewood Galbraith, Woody Harrelson, Ralph Nader, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Julia Butterfly Hill. The film also covers the eradication of cannabis on the Lakota Sioux reservation.
He Walked The Walk.
He was, by all accounts, a brilliant attorney. No one wanted to argue against Gatewood in front of a group of people. He had this ability to connect with people on a visceral level. He was also known for his uncommon generosity. Galbraith would walk around downtown and give money to the homeless, or he would go to McDonald’s and order 50 breakfast sandwiches and drive around handing them out. He defended people in court pro-bono, he volunteered his time to soup-kitchens and food banks.
Gatewood Galbraith's impact transcended his electoral endeavors. His legacy lives on as a symbol of resilience and conviction, reminding us of the power of grassroots activism. While he may be remembered for his colorful personality and headline-grabbing antics, it's crucial to recognize his profound influence on the Global Hemp Movement. His indomitable spirit serves as a guiding light for those who dare to challenge the status quo and advocate for positive change.
Below is a FREE TO DOWNLOAD marijuana music MP3 by Herb Thinker.
It’s Only A Weed.
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It's Only A Weed
Gatewood Galbraith, Kentucky Governor hopeful, addresses the HIGH TIMES staff about his campaign.