Brownie Mary: Difference between revisions

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'''Brownie Mary''', born Mary Jane Rathbun (December 22, 1922 – April 10, 1999), was a renowned American medical cannabis activist. Known for her compassionate use of cannabis, she earned her nickname by baking and distributing cannabis brownies to AIDS patients in San Francisco during the 1980s and 1990s, at the height of the AIDS epidemic. Her efforts played a significant role in the movement towards the medical legalization of cannabis in California and the United States.
== Brownie Mary ==


==Early Life==
[[File:Brownie_Mary_at_People's_Park_1995.jpg|thumb|right|Brownie Mary at People's Park, 1995]]
Mary Jane Rathbun was born in Chicago, Illinois. Little is known about her early life before she moved to San Francisco in the 1970s. In San Francisco, Rathbun worked as a waitress and began her journey as a cannabis activist.


==Activism==
'''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]].
In the early 1980s, Rathbun became deeply involved in the fight against AIDS, a disease that was devastating the gay community in San Francisco at the time. She began baking cannabis-infused brownies, which she distributed for free to AIDS patients. Rathbun believed that cannabis could help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with AIDS and its treatments, such as nausea, appetite loss, and pain.


Her apartment in the Castro district of San Francisco became a hub for her brownie operation. Despite facing legal challenges, including multiple arrests for her cannabis-related activities, Rathbun remained steadfast in her mission. Her advocacy for the medicinal use of cannabis garnered significant media attention, contributing to a growing public discourse on the subject.
== 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.


==Legal Battles and Legacy==
== Activism ==
Rathbun's activism led to several arrests, the most notable of which occurred in 1992. Despite these legal challenges, she continued to advocate for the rights of patients to use medical cannabis. Her efforts, along with those of other activists, culminated in the passage of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215) in California, which legalized the medical use of cannabis in the state.
Brownie Mary became a well-known figure in the [[Castro District, San Francisco|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.


Brownie Mary's legacy extends beyond her brownie baking. She is remembered as a pioneering figure in the medical cannabis movement, and her work has inspired subsequent generations of activists. Rathbun's story is a testament to the impact that individual activism can have on broader social and legal change.
=== 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.


==Death==
== Legal Challenges ==
Mary Rathbun passed away on April 10, 1999, from complications related to diabetes. Her death was mourned by the many people whose lives she touched through her activism and compassion.
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.


==See Also==
== Legacy ==
* [[Cannabis (drug)]]
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]]
* [[Medical cannabis]]
* [[AIDS epidemic]]
* [[AIDS]]
* [[Compassionate Use Act of 1996]]
* [[California Proposition 215 (1996)]]
* [[Cannabis in California]]
* [[LGBT rights in the United States]]
 
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:American cannabis activists]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brownie Mary}}
[[Category:People from San Francisco]]
[[Category:American activists]]
[[Category:Medical cannabis activists]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
{{medicine-stub}}
{{No image}}

Latest revision as of 16:29, 16 February 2025

Brownie Mary[edit]

File:Brownie Mary at People's Park 1995.jpg
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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]