Niambe McIntosh, Chairperson of the Peter Tosh Foundation – Interview Series

A compelling aspect of the movement for large-scale cannabis reform and social justice is the deep dedication of activists who serve multiple impactful organizations simultaneously. One such leader is Niambe McIntosh. Holding a Master’s degree in Education, McIntosh brings her expertise to several vital groups, including Minorities for Medical Marijuana.

To gain insight into the essential work of these organizations—and to explore how she is honoring the legacy of her father, reggae icon Peter Tosh—mycannabis.com sat down for an exclusive conversation with McIntosh.

What was it like being raised by a musical icon? What was it like growing up in those unique circumstances?

When my father passed, I was only five years old, and my mother and I had already moved to Boston, where she’s from. So my memories of him aren’t traditional ones. They’re the stories my mother shared, the music that was always playing, the photographs on the walls, and the energy people carried when they spoke about him. He didn’t physically raise me, but I was raised with his presence. His voice, his conviction, and his message were always in the room. It felt normal to me. He was my father before he was an icon, but I grew up knowing that what he stood for carried weight.

As I got older, especially in my teenage years, his music became personal. I fell in love with Equal Rights, and that’s when it shifted for me. It wasn’t just my father’s song anymore, it was something that spoke directly to my own awareness. It made me think about justice, dignity, and responsibility. Growing up in those circumstances meant I always had a certain consciousness about the world around me. Legacy, for me, was never about fame. It was about purpose. And over time, I realized that understanding his message was one thing, but living it in my own way was the real work.

What has kept Legalize It so relevant over the last 50 years? How has the public perception of the song changed over the years, and how will it continue to be relevant in the future?

Although some states in the US and countries around the world have legalized cannabis, Legalize It continues to be the anthem of the movement and a universal song of liberation. We are living in a real dichotomy. You have places like Singapore that still execute people for certain cannabis-related offenses, and states like Louisiana where individuals are currently serving 30+ year sentences for selling twenty dollars’ worth of marijuana. At the same time, you have cities like New York where someone can walk into a bodega, purchase cannabis, and smoke it while strolling through Central Park with little consequence. The contrast is striking, and the song continues to resonate within that tension.

Public perception has shifted significantly. In the beginning, some people treated the song as rebellious or even as a joke. Now, people listen to it and recognize how forward-thinking it truly was. For a song that was actually banned on the Jamaican radio stations, it amazing to see states and countries are legalizing; Research is validating the medicinal and economic benefits, and entire industries are being built around what was once criminalized.

Moving forward, the song remains relevant as long as the work is unfinished. Legalization is not the finish line. Equity, expungement, access, and justice are the true measures of progress. Legalize It continues to remind us that policy has human consequences.

How does the Peter Tosh Foundation continue to honor Peter Tosh’s legacy of human rights, justice and freedom?

We honor his legacy by treating it as a living mission, not a museum piece. Peter Tosh stood for human rights, justice, truth, and freedom, and our work reflects those values through education, advocacy, and direct community service. Everything we do is rooted in the same spirit: protect the people, uplift the community, and speak the truth even when it is uncomfortable.

How is the relief effort in Jamaica going? And what do you wish more people knew about these efforts?

Months after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, the headlines have moved on, but the reality has not. In Belmont Bluefields, half the houses were completely demolished. Families are displaced and in need of support to rebuild. Many are living in makeshift homes and are still dealing with unstable access to electricity and water, not to mention the emotional weight of loss and the trauma of surviving such devastation, including the loss of loved ones. Recovery takes time, and it requires consistent support, not just a one-time donation.

I wish more people understood how much of this work is local. The real heroes are the community partners who keep showing up every single day. We are supporting and working alongside the local preschool, the high school, the Benevolent Society, and the Fisherman’s Society. These trusted anchors are doing the hard, unglamorous work of helping people survive and rebuild.

I also wish people knew that relief is not only about food and supplies. Relief is cleanup. Relief is medical support. Relief is mental health support. Relief is educational resources. Ultimately, it is about restoring dignity.

What interested you about studying Electrical Engineering and why did you decide on the program at Wentworth Institute of Technology?

Honestly, I grew up in the inner city of Boston. I didn’t even know what an engineer was at the time, but I knew I liked taking things apart, figuring out how they worked, and solving problems. I probably would have been just as happy being a technician, but engineering was the path I knew about, so that’s what I pursued.

What never changed was my curiosity. I’ve always appreciated understanding how the world works around me — how systems function, how things connect, and how to fix what isn’t working. That mindset has stayed with me, no matter what field I’ve been in.

What were the most useful and impactful courses that you took while attending the Master’s in Education program at UMass Boston? What student organizations were you involved with while attending grad school?

After a few years in engineering, I realized I didn’t really care about the work. I was capable, but I wasn’t living in my purpose. The only real excitement came from the occasional company-paid trip out of the country and the paycheck at the end of the week. That wasn’t enough for me. Growing up, I had always loved children and enjoyed being around young people; teaching them, learning from them, watching them grow.

One day, I Googled one of my old teachers and saw that he was directing an accelerated Master’s in Education program called Boston Teacher Residency. I applied and didn’t look back. I continue to find joy in educating and helping others discover their own purpose. I also appreciated the opportunity to deeply understand the community I aimed to serve; the community I come from. Black Boston.

While every cannabis advocate and professional has their own introduction to cannabis, few professionals have a reggae music legend as their father. How did your father’s influence and music play a role in your introduction to cannabis and its possibilities?

I grew up in Black Boston, but I was deeply immersed in Jamaican culture and music. My mother was a reggae concert promoter and producer, so as pre-teens my brother and I were passing out flyers, posting flyers, and helping at her events. I grew up around many of the great reggae musicians of the 1990s, so the music and culture.

In my late teens, I discovered turntables and never wanted to step away from them. That’s when I really began listening to my father’s music with intention. Equal Rights and Legalize It were in heavy rotation. Growing up around the Rastafari faith, where cannabis was routinely consumed within my family, normalized it for me. It wasn’t something to hide or criticize. It was part of a cultural and spiritual practice, and over time I came to understand its broader possibilities — medicinal, economic, and political — especially in the context of criminal justice and equity.

How long were you a teacher for, and why did you feel that it was a rewarding experience? What subjects did you most enjoy teaching?

As an educator, I taught and inspired high school students in Boston Public Schools for nearly ten years, specializing in math. I have always loved working with children and young people, and they have always gravitated toward me as well. What I enjoyed most was simply connecting with them and helping guide them toward becoming the best version of themselves.

What in particular inspired you to create the Peter Tosh Foundation? What parts of your father’s legacy and spirit are included in the organization?

I took over my father’s estate and legacy in 2009, twenty-two years after his death, when the intellectual property was finally controlled by his children. Knowing that my father used his music to empower people, it was essential that we build his legacy on a strong foundation, both literally and figuratively.

We have been intentional about ensuring that most of our licensing partnerships also supported the work with of the Peter Tosh Foundation. Through initiatives like Peter Tosh Town and our continued efforts to support my father’s hometown, we have created a holistic approach to addressing the community’s needs by working across multiple sectors and partnering with various groups within the community.

What have been some of the most important or otherwise enjoyable events that the Peter Tosh Foundation has hosted? What are some special causes that the foundation advocates/raises funds for?

Tosh Fest was our most recent major event, held in honor of my father’s birthday, just ten days before Hurricane Melissa struck the very community that was later hit by the eye of the storm. It takes place in his hometown, and we worked closely with the community to create economic opportunities for local businesses during the festival. We partnered with the local schools, raising funds for the preschool to install solar power and working with the high school to provide hurricane shutters for the building.

Since the hurricane, we have continued working closely with local organizations to address immediate and evolving needs, recognizing that each group faces different challenges. We are committed to meeting community members where they are. I am especially looking forward to organizing service trips in the near future that bring various groups of professionals and everyday people into the community to help — educators, social workers, medical teams, skilled tradespeople, and volunteers who simply want to lend a hand in clearing debris, restoring stability, and supporting families as they rebuild.

How does M4MM advance and advocate for both minority-owned cannabis businesses and overall diversity in the greater cannabis industry?

M4MM has been a leader in supporting state policymakers and industry stakeholders in advancing equitable regulations, fair laws, and inclusive hiring practices across the cannabis space. The organization works to ensure that minority-owned businesses have real access to opportunity, not just language around equity.

M4MM has also been instrumental in elevating Black-owned businesses and amplifying their visibility within the industry. This work is ongoing. Advocacy, education, and policy reform are continuous efforts. The goal is not simply participation in the industry, but true equity, representation, and economic liberation for communities that were disproportionately harmed under prohibition.

What are notable future plans that you and the Peter Tosh Foundation have? With federal cannabis rescheduling possibly in the future, how does the Foundation plan on growing alongside such a huge sweeping reform?

Many fans across the world celebrate International Peter Tosh Day on 4/20, a date that naturally aligns with his Legalize It message and global advocacy for cannabis justice. This year, we are also amplifying a year-long celebration of Legalize It, honoring its legacy and continued relevance. We remain committed to educating people about my father’s impact on the movement and the culture, while partnering with organizations across the cannabis space to ensure that legalization continues to evolve in a more equitable direction.

Thank you for joining us, Niambe! For more information on the Peter Tosh Foundation, please visit its website.