Spencer Boston made headlines in January 2020 when he lit up a joint in a courtroom of Wilson County, Tennessee while appearing for a simple cannabis possession charge. Boston hoped to make a statement with this action, which he certainly did. The video went viral.
Spencer was hopeful that in doing so he would put the spotlight on the need for cannabis reform after seeing other peaceful protests largely ignored by his state legislature. “We the people deserve better” Boston told a stunned courtroom.
Spencer served 10 days in jail for contempt of court as a result of this incident.
In the time since the event, Spencer used his audience as an outlet to educate and demand cannabis reform.
Boston’s court appearance was seen by millions, even airing on A&E network.
“I would like everybody to know that I have some plans!!
I would like for us, as a community, to band together and have a peaceful protest/rally” Boston said in a February 2020 statement. “We can no longer hide. If they want us then we shall go to them! Not one at a time, but as a single gigantic group. You can stop a few waves but you CAN’T stop a tsunami!” Boston proclaimed of those demanding justice in the form of cannabis rights in March of 2020.
Boston was killed early Thursday morning when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a guard rail on the Interstate 40 East in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.
Spencer Boston was a lighthearted, yet persevering presence in the cannabis reform movement. Our condolences go out to his friends and family. May his message live on.