With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
We Get It, Men's Wearhouse Founder: You Smoke Weed
George Zimmer with some of his smoking buddies. (Photo by Kimberly White via Getty Images)
()
At the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo here in Los Angeles last Friday, the keynote speaker delivered an incendiary political speech in favor of marijuana legalization. Just who was that speaker? No, not Marijuana Don. It was the second-most interesting man in the world, Men's Wearhouse founder George Zimmer.
"Everybody in the country knows what the truth here is, except the 535 people we elect to make these decisions in Washington, D.C." Zimmer said at the expo. "It's astounding."
He told CNBC that he's been smoking pot regularly for 50 years. "As you can see, it's really impacted me in a negative way," he said jokingly, gesturing down to his custom suit that we imagine was paid for in part by his $150 million fortune. Zimmer railed against the government's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug. "It's treated like it was heroin...This is the biggest con that has been perpetrated on this country in the last century."
Zimmer, who was ousted from his position as as executive chairman of Men's Wearhouse in 2013 in a totally unchill way, has made a comeback with a new tuxedo rental company called Generation Tux. But that's not the only business endeavor on his mind; last year, Zimmer told CNBC that he had looked into investing in a pot-related start up but gave up when he realized the IRS prevents normal business deductions for dispensaries.
Support for LAist comes from
This man is no bandwaggoner. Back in 2010, he was an outspoken advocate of marijuana legalization, donating $50,000 to Prop 19, the ballot initiative that would have legalized marijuana in California (also on that donor list: chill-ass PBS travel show host and author Rick Steves).
The timing of Zimmer's speech is quite good: Snoop Dogg just launched his own lifestyle media platform with original videos and editorial content dedicated to the herb, called Merry Jane, and he'll probably need someone to cover the menswear beat.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.
Best of LAist