Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck, a 52-year-old woman with a distinctive name, refuses to change it, despite not using marijuana, fizzy drinks, or alcohol.
Brandy ‘Maggie’ Johnson chose the name Marijuana Pepsi for her daughter in hopes of gaining global notoriety. Marijuana’s uncommon name sparked interest and rumors, leading many to believe her mother had a bad history.
She defied expectations and earned a PhD in Higher Educational Leadership. She now works at the Community College of Baltimore County and founded the Action as Empowerment Center for Change, as reported by the New York Post.
Marijuana refuses to change her name, despite numerous suggestions from others. Despite her protestations, people frequently refer to her as Mary due to discomfort with her own name.
Ironically, she does not drink soda and has never smoked marijuana, yet she is frequently approached by cannabis entrepreneurs seeking collaborations.
Marijuana is adamant to maintain her distinctive name, making a striking message about judging people just by their names.
Marijuana, who lives near Live Oak, Florida, said: “Classmates and even teachers would whisper and come up to me asking if it was my real name.
“I would overhear people spectulating if my mother was a ‘crackhead’ – I still have people say that to this day.
“When people find out my name, they ask my nickname instead. I tell them if calling me Marijuana isn’t comfortable, they can call me Dr Vandyck.
“I always knew I would get a PhD as I’ve dedicated my life to education – and I thought if people would be calling me Marijuana Pepsi, I’ll be Dr Marijuana Pepsi.
“It’s my superpower because I don’t have to live within the expectations of others – people think things about me based on my name but I define success on my own terms.”
Marijuana, who is now a mother to 21-year-old Isaac Sawyer, believes that her mother chose the unique name to help her daughter stand out and become a “force in the world.”
Despite her extensive qualifications, she has faced job rejections and doubts about her suitability for education, solely because of her name.
Even those aware of her accomplishments as a director and academic often remark upon meeting her that she defies their expectations.
She explained that she embraces her unique name despite it making others uncomfortable, as she is not ashamed of it.
Marijuana said: “I won’t answer to a different name to appease someone who is clearly in their head about what they think it means to call me my own name.
“It’s a problem, but it’s not my problem.”
Marijuana said she has been inundated with questions about whether she uses drugs or alcohol, but she firmly stated that she has never indulged in either.
She said: “People don’t believe me when I say I’ve never smoked weed – because ‘there’s no way someone called Marijuana isn’t a smoker’.
“I do get hit up by marijuana companies, but I wouldn’t do anything with them unless it was centred around education.
“I just get high on life.”