Legalize It

Here's Peter Tosh calling for the legalization of marijuana in 1976 (in Jamaica). Tosh also said "Herb will become like cigarettes," in an NME interview in 1978. Yet here we are, 46 years later, and cigarettes have become much less common and marijuana is still not culturally acceptable at the level Tosh was pleading for. Five years after this album was released, President Nixon called for a "War on Drugs" as part of the tough-on-crime platform of the Republican Party, and countless lives have been ruined by this war in the years since. In Jamaica, possession of up to 2 oz. of ganja was decriminalized in 2015, and in 2018 the first medical cannabis dispensary opened after medical marijuana was legalized. In the United States, marijuana is legalized in 18 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia – but illegal at federal level. Decriminalized in another 13 states and 1 territory. Despite these recent changes, 8.2 million Americans were arrested for marijuana between 2001 and 2010, and 80% of those were for simple possession. On top of that, blacks are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites. The numbers improved only slightly from 2010-2020, mostly offset by increases in methamphetamine arrests. Over 40,000 Americans are in prison for marijuana offenses, and millions more have criminal records that impact their quality of life. The War on Drugs is a failure. Legalize It.

I opened the first legal aquaponic cannabis growing facility in Washington State. I ran my business for over 5 years, and then sold it. The profits from that sale bought me and my wife a farm in the county where we raise our now raise our two beautiful girls. I believe that I have lived Tosh's dream. I am so grateful to everyone who came before me and fought for our right to enjoy this plant. Thank you Peter!

Give me 85 degrees, a beach, and a cooler full of beer and this album is a 5.

You smoke weed. I get it.

I'm sorry but all regge sounds the same THIS IS 40 MINUTES OF THE SAME SONG WH

Legalize It cemented Tosh's position as a giant in reggae, and the album is one of the best albums of the genre.

The record store I worked at growing up had the biggest reggae selection in the entire northeast, thanks to my owner who hosted the reggae show at the college radio station for over 40 years. This album was in constant rotation at the shop, and for damn good reason. For a genre that gets criticized often for being too one-note, I think there’s quite a bit of variety on this album. Charged political statements sit alongside ballads of love and yearning; bursts of killer electric guitar, keyboards, and harmonica lend unique textural palettes to almost every song; Tosh’s vocals range from pointed almost-spoken word deliveries to beautiful melodic passages. I think it’s a fantastic collection of songs, one that takes me back to a lot of fond memories. My old boss passed away a few years ago; I think about him and everything he did for me all the time. When I listen to albums like Legalize It, I feel like I’m dropping in to visit him. His name as also Peter; I’m glad I got to spend time with both Peters tonight. 4.5/5

Good to hear reggae albums not featuring Bob Marley for a change, though I do like his stuff. This was consistently great throughout as well which is an extra bonus. Love how there's meaningful messages and really good music to back it..Highly recommended listen.

Was ok. Wouldn't really listen again

Great songs and sounds. Strong start with "Legalize It." "Ketchy Shuby" bumps and "Brand New Second Hand" is a great diss track. The bits of piano really enhance the musical layering. Tosh singing on "Till Your Well Runs Dry" rather than reggae styling is really interesting. Only track I didn't really like was Igziabeher.

Wow. Such a great reggae album. Love the cadence and delivery on the vocals. Incredible instrumentals and backup vocals. Great lyrics and storytelling from the case for legal weed to good vs evil to loyalty and fleeting beauty. Compelling and various composition throughout. Never stale reggae sound. Burial, whatcha gonna do, why must I cry, legalize it.

An utter joy after 2 Iron Maiden albums. I knew this was his first post-Wailers album - and the important political message behind it (not just about cannabis). Not perfect, but essential listening.

It was fine. Not especially memorable.

I'm no big Reggae enjoyer. But some tracks on here i found quite enjoyable! I doubt this will stick for years to come though. Standout tracks: Legalize It, No Sympathy, Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised, Ketchy Shuby, 4 out of 10

This was almost exactly what I expected it to be. Bloopy reggae jams that are criminally inoffensive, but generally boring. There is harmonies and stuff I like here, as they remind me of some great 50s and early 60s doo-wop, but otherwise this is stereotypical. Sure, albums like this had to be a thing for this sound to be stereotypical, but that doesn't make it any less so to a modern set of ears.

Love it! Varied song themes, great instrumentation, great vibes. Legalize!

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Legalize it, Why must I cry, Ketchy shuby, Till your well runs dry

Amazing, lush, melancholy, relaxed

Perfect kick back on the beach album.

I think I (or my brother) bought this album in the 70s. I remember not being in love with it, possibly I was comparing Peter to the only other reggae guy I knew, Bob. I like it better now, the rootsy feel, the keyboards (clavinet?) and the song-writing is solid - lots of memorable tunes on the side 1. Side 2 not as catchy. Between a 3 and a 4 but since I'm in a good mood...

Good shit, man. I'm not a huge reggae fan, never bought a single album, but I can listen to this all day.

Ketchup Shuby was my fave

Peter Tosh flexes his musical gift with this solo effort with the backing Wailers. Tosh proves he can function in his own spotlight without Marley and comes away with good vibes and a message.

A very nice and enjoyable album. I liked it.

feels fresh & original after his work with the wailers. fav track: burial

This went well with a tired night working session, though this isn’t the revelation that would make me seek more reggae.

Gorgeous and totally without fuss, fully-formed grooves unroll as if they've always existed and are just popping out to stretch their legs. Such is the gift of the magi-musician.

I remember listening to Legalize It back in the day and thinking "This guy actually thinks they will legalize weed. What's he smoking?" 25 years after he died he is smiling in his grave. Tosh also wrote some tunes on The Wailers' albums before he moved on. It seems Bob had a one or two song cap on Tosh tunes per LP similar to the cap John and Paul gave George. There are some good tunes on this one including Burial and No Sympathy in addition to the title track. Till the Well Runs Dry is very clever with the verses and solo done in a blues style and the chorus in a Reggae style. He lays down a good solo in No Sympathy and his guitar work makes this song much better than the version previously released with The Wailers. Around the time this album was released Bob released Exodus. I suppose comparing these two albums validates the two song cap. 

Reggae and marijuana policy, fascinating. Last few tracks weren't bad though.

I made it. Album numero one hundredo. One hundred albums that I have successfully listened to before I have died. The dev of this website sells the process of listening to all of these albums as a journey, and I'd certainly agree. From the familiar peaks of some of my all-time favourite albums to the comfortable "reprieve" albums to the shocking swings and misses, I feel like I've already been through a lot despite only clearing a tenth of the list. While I don't exactly have the most positive rating average, I can say with certainty that I've loved every second of it. I've developed somewhat of a fascination with checking user profiles over the course of working my way through this list. I've noticed that the majority of users either peter out after 20 - 40 albums (as did I, initially), power their way through this list or find ways to slowly keep clawing ahead. There's a sombre, meditative quality to slowburning my way through this 3-year project. So many lives and people that I will never know beyond the faceless blocks of text that populate these pages. At the same time, I can't help but look at how much time this process demands. Will I be a changed "music appreciator" come the end of this list? Will I be happier and more fulfilled than I am now? I hope so. In the time since I initially gave up on this project in January of 2024 and picked it up again in October of the same year, my appreciation for music has changed dramatically. What once was another hobby of mine has grown into becoming one of my few current interests. As a way of counterbalancing the albums on this list that I don't care for, I've started listening to music that personally interests me on the side, which results in a metric shitton of my time being dedicated to music listening. Out of the hundred albums that I've listened to thus far, there are two new albums that have entered my rotation (A Wizard / A True Star and The Stone Roses) - none of which I've had the foresight to rate above a 3. If I end up with 12 new albums that I really like by the end of this list, I'll consider that a win. Anyways, moke sweed erryday ganja 420 I love injecting crackarooski crack rocks into my system that's some mighty darn fine KUSH!!!! I LOVE WEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgettable

Reggae. No.

I really don't like reggae. I listened to this album and it felt like one long song.

Never been a fan of rastafari music because of its blatant sexism and homophobia. But yeah. Smoke some more weed and claim one love. As long as it's your narrowly defined definition. No thanks

Love my weed. I do not like Raggae. When I smoke weed, I do not like Raggae. When I smoke weed, I like Tosh.0, but not Peter Tosh. That was a hilarious, inappropriate show. I would think most weed lovers would like Tosh.0. Of course, if you're stoned, you probably enjoy a lot things you wouldn't when not stoned. But in my case, not raggae music. All this talk about being stoned makes me want to eat a doughnut. Mmmmm, doughnuts. Especially chocolate covered doughnuts. Anything chocolate. Mmmmm, weed. Great album cover. All I got. 5 for cover 1 for the music 5 for making me think of weed AND chocolate doughnuts

Reggae sux

What a silly Billy, doesn’t he realize that the devils lettuce has been legalized in most states these days

Awesome! Positive vibrations only.

This is the 64th album I’m rating. I’m assuming this is about weed and not incest. Adding to my Playlist - Legalize It, Burial, Whatcha Gonna Do, No Sympathy, Why Must I Cry, Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised), Ketchy Shulby, Till Your Well Runs Dry, and Brand New Second Hand. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 9/9 of the songs. I haven’t really listened to much reggae and this was a great introduction into the genre.

Sublime

Chill reggae, just as I love it.

...and I will advertise it. RIP

Reagge vom besten! Schön wieder mal zu hören

A treat for my ears and my emotions

What a great album, fantastic from start to finish. Great message and still relevant today.

My knowledge of reggae doesnt extend much past Bob Marley's hits, so usually I cant tell bad from good, but I'm pretty sure this is good. Even though my initial impression of the album was mostly "weed, man lol" its a great vibe that explores various subjects, I guess it feels a little darker, but in a good way. Great way to utilize the genre.

The older I get the more Peter Tosh usurps Bob Marley as my favorite reggae artist. This is a delightful collection of songs. I especially enjoyed “Why Must I Cry” this time around

Impeccable timing that my gummy was kicking in as I generated this one.

Кайфовая музыка для летнего настроения даже зимой

Made me think of thr beach. Love this album and always have

I love the calm relaxed vibes from Reggae music. It’s just so easy to listen to and enjoy. I love this album!

Ja man!

Best Peter Tosh album, lots of classic reggae songs, not as good as all the Bob Marly & The Wailers albums in this list, but still: 9/10.

Classic reggae. Really good.

Dope

Astonishingly rich. Praise Jah for this being so “Ketchy Shuby” – and not just tonight but for 40+ years now. Not sure this is positive medical advice (def not good for asthma; for tuberculosis and thrombosis perhaps). Every cut works and offers charm or sharpness or depth or all three. A marvel and immensely enjoyable and happy-making besides.

Äntligen ett reggaealbum. Riktigt bra dessutom. Det var även lite skillnad till annan reggae enligt mig dessutom. Mer soul och blues inflytande definitivt. Unik och passande röst och schyssta instrumentalister. Även om jag håller med om vad han sjunger om så är det inte texten som intresserar mig, utan musiken. Som trummis så har reggae gett stort inflytande på mig och därför tycker jag att det är svårt att göra ett dåligt reggaealbum, om man är bra musiker det vill säga. Samma som med disco så låter nästan allt ganska lika men det gör inget enligt mig. Alla låtar på denna var bra så jag kan inte ge den något annat än en femma.

Vibes

Despite being a big fan of this era of reggae, the wailers, and bob marley, this album still exceeded my expectations this was great. There's a quality to tosh's voice that feels unique amongst the various powerful voices of early reggae and ska and makes a lot of these songs feel closer to the american soul music of the day than a lot of other acts. His vocals are tender and sweet yet he will absolutely command your attention when he needs to in a way that makes this album's blend of politics, love, and heartbreak gel so perfectly with his performance that this album flows effortlessly. Doesn't hurt that the sweet little guitar parts all over the record also sound absolutely heavenly

A classic I've heard hundreds of times. Outstanding reggae.

Yeah mon

Fun

I absolutely love Bob Marley, so it’s great to be introduced to other members of The Wailers. I’m gonna be expanding my repertoire of reggae now. The beach playlist is getting better! And yeah, I think we should legalize it, too. And free every person in prison who has been preyed upon.

Legendary

The debut solo album of Peter Tosh. I do not particularly like the title song Legalize It. A lot of rest of the songs are reggae classics though (Burial, What'cha Gonna Do?, No Sympathy, Why Must I Cry, Till Your Well Runs Dry, Brand New Second Hand). Robbie Shakespeare on bass guitar and the rest of the Wailers backing band. You cannot wish for more.

Jah

Jah-Man! Excellent Album!

A really great find and I did not expect to enjoy this album or be able to differentiate it from other reggae albums I have heard. This is an excellent album and I love hearing Tosh do reggae songs that are not all political. I have always enjoyed Bob Marley's music and I find this album to be on-par with Marley's best work.

Love it

I think Peter liked marijuana

Extremely enjoyable reggae outing

This is Quintessential Reggae, outside of Marley of course. But a fellow Wailer is still a vital part of the music.

🕴

I just love reggae. He’s the man!

Le ga liiiiiiiize iiiiiit yeeaaah. Yeaaaah.

🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

Pure chill reggae. Him and Robert (Marley) were the GOATs !

You're only acting like You are somebody But I don't no say You know nobody You're only a show off Your painted face, yeah But underneath that face Your just a disgrace Amazing album, I agree that this is one that everyone should hear. 5/5

very cool

Sorry I missed this. Fucking legendary album. Even the goats love it.

LEGALIZE!

9/10 good vibes, love reggae the mixing on some of these songs were a bit weird but idc, still sounds great

Don't be fooled by the simple and clear message (agreeing or not) at the beginning and in the album's title. There's a lot going on and to me this album just gets better the longer it runs. Especially Tosh's feeling for melody and the guitar play makes this a great listen.

I think it's the first reggae album I bought. Love the riddims.

Trying my best not to give everything five stars . Aw well

Muito bom!

5, based album

legalizeeeeeee it

Title track must have been so transgressive in its day.

I'd probably give this a 3.5 star rating, as it is good, but it's not incredible, I don't feel, even for its time. The back third of the album gets pretty dull and doesn't have the excitement or engaging reggae of the first part of the album. I feel there are better Peter Tosh albums to put on this list, but I have honestly not listened to his music in a while. However, I do at least now want to listen to some of his other albums.

Nice 4/5

Maybe I'm coming around to Reggae or maybe it's just because the sun is finally starting to come out. This one has some interesting twists and changes of pace that I can definitely get onboard with.

not that this is a fair comparison but this well-loved wailers member never quite manages the frontman gravity or lyrical power of bob marley, but tbf he's kind of going for a different thing! on the whole id say his approach reads a bit more impish, ironic, and provocative, even extending beyond the title track theres some interesting uses of tonal dissonance i wouldnt necessarily associate w/ reggae. on the whole im more given to marley's warmer, more pressingly earnest approach, but its cool that tosh isnt just a weaker copy. rly solid, semi lo-fi roots reggae besides all that...idk if its particularly Lush in timbre but its still v Rich in sound generally, which is what i always like to hear!! a nice and more playful supplement to the more fervently political music of the time and place

Solid reggae with a few exceptional tracks.

Really nice, chilled out reggae. And I can get behind the decriminalisation message

“It’s good for asthma… goats love to play with it.” You can’t argue with that. You also can’t argue with the tunes.

This is a legendary album. Tosh was a pioneer of the genre. Chill and controversial at the same time. 3.5/5

You'd have to be a fool not to see that this album is about far more than the legalization of marijuana. Tho Tosh is dead serious in that regard - he does indeed advertise the benefits of the plant, the specifics of which we can for sure doubt - 'good for tuberculosis, even umara composis' - this record is at bottom a profound meditation on colonialism and the mess that sort of domination engenders: 'Mama, mama, dem hold papa / Seh dem charge him fi smoke ganja.' It's about the absurdity of a system based on nominal distinctions of power: 'Them claim say, them claim say / Them are the general.' And it happens to be incredibly enjoyable to listen to - especially when Tosh goofs and frolics, i.e., check out 'Ketchy Shuby.'

You know what, I actually enjoyed this way more than I was expecting to. Does it help that it’s like the first warm sunny day after a long winter? Probably: it’s not music for a rainy day. But it’s chill and mellow and the groove is pretty irresistible. I’d revisit it as an album on a hot day with not much to do other than sit in the back garden and drink beer.

Probably better than any Bob Marley record. This was just what I needed today.