IT is one of pop music’s iconic album jackets — Peter Tosh sitting in a ganja field in his native Westmoreland for the defiant Legalize It album, released in 1976 by Columbia Records.

This year marks the 35th year since Tosh’s death but his message of black awareness and advocacy for decriminalisation of ganja remain resonant.

Today the world celebrates 4/20 and International Peter Tosh Day. His family honours his passion for all things ganja at The Anderson, a venue in Miami.

The Peter Tosh Foundation, through its ‘Legalize It Initiative’, will be staging a fund-raiser to help “change the stigma around cannabis and support the continued efforts towards legalisation”, according to Niambe Tosh, the singer-songwriter’s daughter.

She said International Peter Tosh Day has grown since it was first celebrated in 2015.

“It started off as just an idea and has grown to the point where we have fan participation on every livable continent. This year, we even have some fans of the legacy hosting a celebration in Tokyo, Japan, and we aim to have this concept continue to grow,” Niambe Tosh told the Jamaica Observer.

At The Anderson there will be live performances from The Resolvers Band and Nyahbingi drummers, complemented by recorded selections by Lance O and Walshy Fire.

Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Livingston (Wailer) were the most famous members of The Wailers, which formed in Trench Town during the early 1960s. Tosh was most vocal of the trio about his feelings re: ganja, which thousands of persons were prosecuted for using during his lifetime. Some of Tosh’s most famous songs, including Legalize It and Buckingham Palace, had strong ganja themes.

Tosh was murdered at his Kingston home in September 1987. He was 42 years old.

Since 2015 Jamaica has passed legislation decriminalising aspects of ganja use. This has paved the way for groups with high-profile memberships to invest in the plant.

Niambe Tosh disclosed that the Peter Tosh Foundation focuses on issues her father was passionate about.

“Through workshops and partnerships the Legalize It Initiative addresses cannabis wellness and spirituality, education on the racist history of cannabis prohibition, and expungement clinics with our advocacy partner, Minorities for Medical Marijuana,” she shared.