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Just two weeks before a landmark ballot initiative that seeks to make California the first state in the US to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, Ziggy Marley has released his latest song, a pro-marijuana anthem entitled “A Fire Burns For Freedom.” The song is available at ziggymarley.com as a free download, as part of a larger set of free Ziggy Marley downloads called the “Wild and Free Singles”.

According to Marley, “We need to enlighten people about the multiple uses the plant has beyond its recreational, spiritual and medicinal uses. This plant in both its forms, hemp and marijuana, is a gift from nature to us. It has medicinal value, environmental value, nutritional value, as well as energy value. The seeds of the plant could cheaply provide nutrition for malnourished children all over the world. We should free the plant in all aspects of its uses.” In the song, he goes further to make his point with the line, “Denied the tree of life, sold us your lies, this damned hypocrisy costs so many lives.”

Proposition 19 goes to the California ballot on November 2, 2010, and would allow persons of age 21 and older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. It would also open the door to the state’s taxation of marijuana, and could possibly provide much needed revenue for the state of California.