Sparking a Weed Uprising in Minneapolis

Sparking a Weed Uprising in Minneapolis

Author: David Bienenstock March 25, 2026 Duration: 1:08:39
Angela Dawson is a fourth generation farmer, albeit the first of her name to farm cannabis. She’s also a leading weed activist in the state of Minnesota, who's currently preparing for the 4/20 soft-launch of "The Garden on 26th," a new licensed retail dispensary in South Minneapolis that will sit just steps from where Alex Pretti was publicly executed by ICE agents in January. Angela and I discuss the many ways the War on Drugs laid the groundwork for our government's current disastrous, cruel and very racist approach to immigration enforcement. How opening a dispensary focused on mutual support and cannabis education in such a heavily impacted community can offer relief, remediation and re-education. And the details of her own personal journey with the plant, including finding deep solace in weed during the most challenging stretch of her life.  Angela is the co-founder of ⁠Forty Acre Co-op⁠, one of the only Black-Indigenous owned hemp cooperatives in the country, and ⁠The Minnesota Black Farmers Association⁠, the leading farmer equity voice in the Midwest region.  PATREON Please ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support Great Moments in Weed HIstory on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Supporters get exclusive access to video versions of this podcast and private seshes, plus cool rewards like a signed book. And it truly helps us make the best show possible. EPISODE ARCHIVE Visit our podcast feed for 150+ episodes of Great Moments in Weed History, and subscribe now to get a new weekly podcast every Weednesday. 

Great Moments in Weed History delves deep into humanity's 10,000+ year relationship with cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana) to explore the humor, heart, and historical importance of the planet's most revered and maligned plant. Hosted by David Bienenstock.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Great Moments in Weed History
Podcast Episodes
Holidaze Special: Trippin' Balls with Santa Claus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:04
Explore St. Nick’s psychedelic shamanic roots in Siberia in the only Christmas Special where Santa gifts you magic mushrooms and even the reindeer get high AF! So hang on to your sleigh bells, because it's time for Abdul…
How "Wooks" Pass the Torch of Weed Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
In an age of corporate cannabis, who keeps authentic weed culture alive? In a time of abundant strains and concentrates, whose tastes define hashish connoisseurship. Wooks, that's who! Named for the Wookies in the Star W…
The Pot Prince of Bel-Air [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:08
Todd McCormick’s weed journey began when his mom handed him a joint on the way home from chemotherapy. As a survivor of pediatric cancer, he later advocated for the plant’s legalization alongside legends of the cannabis…
Freaky Beatniks Smoked Tea and Started the Legalization Movement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
Emerging in the conformist 1950s, the Beat subculture pushed back against corporatism and consumerism in favor of a contemplatively nonconformist lifestyle focused on art, poetry, jazz and “kicks.” The small circle of yo…
How Weed Growing Went Global (w/ Jorge Cervantes) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:03
In 1983, an outlaw weed grower pseudonymously published Indoor Marijuana Horticulture, a truly game changing book that sparked a global movement. In the forty years since, "Jorge Cervantes" has traveled the world writing…
From Rope to Dope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:31
Cannabis activist Ellen Komp has been on the frontlines of the fight to end weed arrests and provide safe access to this incredible medicinal plant for decades. Including as an editor of Jack Herer's groundbreaking book…
Help Save America's Weed-basket! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
When a bunch of lawyers and shadowy political operators pushed a ballot initiative in Humboldt County, California that could destroy the legal weed industry in America's most legendary cannabis cultivation region, comedi…
From 'Bong Boy' to Pot Humorist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
Whether portraying Bong Boy as part of the Upright Citizens Brigade or taping his solo stand-up special at a weed lounge, comedian Matt Besser never shies away from embracing cannabis culture. In an appropriately stoned…