Bob Marley Weed Brand Just Came Out and There's Controversy Over Singer's Capitalism Views

Months after being announced, the official Bob Marley weed brand, Marley Natural, is being released to the public, and while the idea makes all the sense in the world, fans of the reggae and marijuana icon aren't wholly comfortable with the launch. Why? Because the "I Shot the Sheriff" singer had such strong views against capitalism and his family approved such a huge venture with his name.

According to New Cannabis Ventures, the product, which was just released last February 5, has been met with concern on varying sides of the media over not only its supposed disrespect to Marley's beliefs, but also with his roots. The singer, the most iconic member and proponent of Rastafarian culture, is also arguably Jamaica's most famous son ... and, in all, production of Marley Natural has little to do with his native country.

The Verge reports that Privateer Holdings, a Seattle-based equity that supports marijuana brands and teamed up with Marley's family for this product, attempted to have the brand made in Marley's native Jamaica, as the country recently approved medical marijuana. However, it was ultimately decided to grow it in California, where legislation on the matter is clearer, but the botanic materials still come from Jamaica. However, this isn't enough for everyone.

"All blessings and success to them," Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah, a Rastafarian journalist, told International Business Times about the new venture the Marley family has undertaken. "But what I would like to see is as they continue to branch out into more and more Marley products is to contribute a small percentage of the royalties, I would say 5 percent, to the Rasta nation from which Bob's inspiration came."

The four marijuana strains, Marley Green, Marley Gold, Marley Red and Marley Black, were made in pesticide-free California environments, from American black walnuts. They became available in the eve of what would have been Marley's 71^st birthday.