Supporters of Jack Herer Say They're Focusing on the Positive

Family and friends remain hopeful that Jack Herer will recover from a heart attack Saturday.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Marijuana icon Jack Herer's supporters say the legendary author continues to receive constant care at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, following a heart attack over the weekend.

The author of "The Emperor Wears No Clothes", regarded as the premiere book of the entire cannabis culture, was in Portland over the weekend for Hempstalk, one of the Northwest's largest hemp and marijuana festivals.

Jack hasn't shown signs of consciousness yet, but he is under close medical supervision. "The longer that he stays alive, the better chance he has," his friend Chuck Jacobs told Salem-News.com tonight.

"We're just trying to focus on the positive," Jack's friend Eve Lentz added. "People have sent their prayers and positive vibes from everywhere. Every body loves Jack." She talked about the outpouring of support that his illness is bringing.

The support was hard to miss at Hempstalk, which people Sunday said was being referenced as "Jackstalk". It is also clear by our initial story on Jack's heart attack. The comment section is full of words of encouragement.

Grandma Kay Lee wrote: "I read Jack's book, 'Emperor wears no clothes' in college at age 50. It changed my life from a do-nothing mom to an active grandma, traveling the country to educate people about the need to return cannabis to the people. I had heart surgery 2 years ago, so am sending wishes to Jack for the best doctors available and a full recovery. He's been important in many lives to so many people he doesn't even know."

Jack Eich stated simply: "My prayers go out to this relentless hero exposing the lies and half truths of the drug moguls. they kill thousands of people with their dangerous drugs. legalize cannabis."

The message from Jack's closest friends at "The Farm" in California was: "Our prayers go out to Uncle Jack, Jeanie and Chuck.. If you need any thing call HOME! We LOVE you!!!!and are praying for a speedy recovery. Eddy, Linda, the family, the farm and Ministry"

Another name that is huge in the movement, longtime hemp activist, William Conde, wrote: "Jack Herer a dear friend for many years, a true patriot, an American Hero, a man that I truly love and respect with all my being, lays wounded. I pray for his return to health as there is much left to do and we are not allowed many like him in our lives. Dear God please send your comforter and heal this great man. Show your power and make him well. Jeannie stay strong girl we love you too."

Chuck Jacobs explained that a chemical had been used to chill Jack's body temperature, and he has been in an induced semi-coma. Now that process is changing and Jack's temperature is again being raised, allowing for his heart to do its job.

Eve says Jack made a pledge a long time ago that he was going to keep going, "until he turns 85, or sees cannabis become legal, whichever comes first."

Since cannabis is only partly legal, and Jack is far from 85, it looks like his chances may be pretty good.

Jack Herer, the "Emperor of Hemp", was close to kicking off a speaking tour in Europe with Dr. Lumir Hanus with Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Rick Simpson, creator of Phoenix Tears Healing Hemp Oil that Jack firmly believes in as a cure for multiple medical problems, including cancer.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor.
Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), the first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several other awards including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website, affiliated with Google News and several other major search engines and news aggregators.
You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Sue from Oregon December 3, 2009 5:06 pm (Pacific time)

Jeannie Herer and Chuck Jacobs are NO HEROES they have both put Do Not Rescutitate on Jack that is not a familial thing to do. But a scorned wife yep...

DdC October 5, 2009 11:15 am (Pacific time)

"Emperor of Hemp" Jack Herer Improving, Moved Out of ICU http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/emperor-hemp-jack-herer-improving-moved-out-icu Jack's awake and out of ICU. He's not talking yet or moving around much. He starts physical therapy on Monday. I just want to thank everyone so much for all the prayers and good wishes. They really seem to be working. Progress will probably be slow so please keep it up.

ElectroPig™ September 17, 2009 12:22 pm (Pacific time)

Latest UNCONFIRMED word is that Jack may have suffered damage to 70% of his brain. Let's hope that is not the case, and we can see him back on his feet SOON!

Eve Lentz September 16, 2009 8:08 am (Pacific time)

Thank you, Tim and Bonnie, for getting out this information about Jack's condition. I would like to let everyone know that the nurses had put a body ice-pack on him to bring his temperature down, not a chemical, and they had to induce the coma to keep his body from shivering. This is a procedure they use to minimize damage to his brain. He was also put on a ventilator and pain medication. After about 24 hours, they started to warm him up and then wait another 48 hours before trying to bring him out of the induced coma. Jack's doctor told Jack's assistant, Chuck Jacobs and I, that it may take several days for him to wake up, and that he had had a "small" heart attack. He said that Jack's vital signs were stable and that we wouldn't know until he wakes up, what damage was done. As Chuck and I watched him laying there, we sensed that his strong will and his pledge to his "teacher, partner and friend", Edwin "Captain Ed" M. Adair III that "we'd swear to work everyday to legalize marijuana and get all pot prisoners out of jail, until we were dead, marijuana was legal, or we could quit when we turned 84." would motivate him to fight to come back to us all. Jack is still with us and with the incredible outpouring of love from people around the world, I believe he is coming back to us soon!

Wendy (MarijuanaMom) September 16, 2009 4:16 am (Pacific time)

Jack people around the world are praying for you, your work here is not done yet! God Bless you and your family.

Storm Crow September 15, 2009 10:39 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you for printing this- no one else has it, not even as a "page B-12" story! Please keep us informed!

Greenbud from Lamsterdam September 15, 2009 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

Yes, please continue to report on Jack's condition. You are the only news source carrying this important story.

Jack's Our Hero ! September 15, 2009 2:58 pm (Pacific time)

Our prayers are with you Jack..You are one GREAT MAN..you have opened the eyes of many in the most positive way..You R brave and strong in your convictions..GET WELL Please!

~One Love~ September 15, 2009 2:42 pm (Pacific time)

God Bless you Jack, the world is praying for you and sending you healing prayers, because I know you are here for a reason, and We love you so much, Get better Soon, God Bless, Linda and Terry

ElectroPig Von Fökkengrüüven September 15, 2009 12:57 pm (Pacific time)

For those who appreciate Jack Herer's contributions to the cannabis/hemp legalization movement over the last 4 decades, and who are upset at the developments over the weekend, I offer an image of a sign that I "slightly modified" at the local coffee shop. If it doesn't INSTANTLY remind you of anything, just think of Jack standing over a barbecue... NOTE: Image released for use by any NORML organization worldwide, press uses, please contact me via myspace.com/ElectroPig http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/25/l_2433da1cdeaf4d6b9fbf117619db6773.jpg Spread the image far and wide...and always think of Jack when you view it!

Aiko September 15, 2009 10:15 am (Pacific time)

Jack and Jeannie you are both a great inspiration to millions. Get Well Emperor! Blessings!

Miracle Herb September 15, 2009 7:24 am (Pacific time)

I learned everything I know about Cannabis and Hemp from Jack Herer,I just bought his book and I plan on getting it signed so get well soon Jack,we Love you Jack~we need you Jack!!

Miracle Herb September 15, 2009 7:15 am (Pacific time)

The World is Praying for you Jack~We Love you Jack!We need you Jack!!

Anonymous September 15, 2009 5:51 am (Pacific time)

thank you for reporting this. it was the only non-stoner paper i found anywhere with any mention of the tragic occurence.

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