Cannabition Cannabis Museum will be the first public home to the iconic ‘Great Red Shark’ from Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The museum, which will open in September 2018 celebrates the best of cannabis art and culture in a uniquely “Las Vegas” way. Discover which of your favorite artists and icons were also cannabis advocates with Cannabition.
Cannabition Cannabis Museum pays tribute to marijuana art and culture
As the world’s only cannabis-themed attraction of its kind, the Aug. 8 unveiling of Hunter S. Thompson’s 1973 Chevrolet Caprice was a fitting first exhibit for Cannabition Cannabis Museum in Las Vegas, given the gonzo legend’s history of support and advocacy of the marijuana plant.
The car, which had been stored in Colorado hasn’t been shared with the world until now. Thompson’s widow, Anita Thompson, donated the piece to Cannabition in an effort to continue her husband’s legacy. In an exclusive with Forbes, she said:
“I continue Hunter’s work by bringing awareness of marijuana laws that target minorities and destroy families all over this country for possession of this plant. The ‘Red Shark’ is a symbol of our journey together as active citizens to stop putting responsible smokers in jail. Cannabition is also doing this work in a way that is fun and informative for guests.”
The literary roots of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Originally a two-part series was written in 1971 and later published by Rolling Stone, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” is a pseudo-autobiographical adventure following protagonist Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, as they chase the American Dream in a cherry red Chevrolet Caprice, called “the Great Red Shark,” all the way to Las Vegas. Re-released as a novel and inspiring its own film adaptation, the literary piece is Thompson’s most famous and impactful wora.
Noted for its unabashed descriptions of drug use; its rumination on the failures of the 1960s counterculture movement; and Thompson’s employment of gonzo journalism, the “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” is credited for capturing the spirit of post-1960’s America. Gifted his own ‘Great Red Shark’ by friends almost two decades after penning “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Thompson’s car was also featured in the ’98 film adaption starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro.
Living in Sin City with the Great Red Shark
Now installed at Cannabition Cannabis Museum, The Great Red Shark is just one of more than 20 larger-than-life art pieces calling Cannabition home. Hoping to inspire a new era of cannabis enthusiasts, Cannabition’s exhibits also highlight the relationship between art, cannabis, and advocacy. In addition to Hunter S. Thompson, who was a vocal cannabis advocate, the museum also features tributes to icons like Bob Marley and Jimmi Hendrix who helped bring cannabis to the mainstream.
Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride with Cannabition
Cannabition will be welcomed to the city with a green ribbon cutting by Mayor Carol Goodman on September 20 but passers by can already expierence the museum’s incredible art installations just by visiting their location in Neonopolis on Fremont Street.
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