“Grandma” Cat Jeter

Name: “Grandma” Cat Jeter

Occupation: Canna-Accountant and Sole Proprietor at the Grandma Cat Group which includes the Deep Green Extractions

How did you become involved in the cannabis movement?

Well I have been consuming [cannabis] since 1973, and attended more than my share of rallies for legalization throughout the years, but I kind of came in through a back door through my own medication and became involved that way. Most specifically, with respect to recent activism, I was asked to help stage the 2010 Tacoma Hempfest and from there I just kept finding myself in a larger and larger role, with respect to overall rights, but more focused on medical cannabis. 

What is your greatest achievement for the cannabis cause? 

I think we can still it down to one word, relief. The relief in the parents eyes when I have one more straw for them to clutch. The relief in a patients’ eyes and body when they are suddenly released from pain. Relief in people’s eyes when they realize that they have rights that they can fight for. Relief is a pretty big accomplishment. 

How has cannabis benefited you in your personal life?

I think Kevin said it best, he says cannabis gave me my life back. I spent about 10 years in misery trying to get back to who I was. As a rheumatoid arthritis patient I found myself taking increasingly difficult to manage in my own body, pharmaceutical preparations that left me miserable, bloated my body, ultimately leading me to a point where I was on a cruise that most people couldn’t imagine themselves on being on. 15 days traveling from Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego through the Panama Canal and each and every night I wondered if I was going to go up on deck and jump off and end my life. Just a few weeks after that I looked at my doctor and said “no, I quit, there has to be a better way.”

Who do you admire or look up to? 

Well, with respect to activism, Abby Hoffman is my icon. I grew up watching him and the hippies and the yippies of the ’60s as serious subjects. Abby could always engage with a wonderful sense of irony, humor and charm. Laughing is a great activist tool, when were engaged with very difficult subjects it’s really hard to remember that if you can make them laugh that you’re half way there. You can change more minds by making them smile.