Johnny Boone Obituary, Death: Legendary Kentucky Outlaw and “Godfather of Grass” Dies at 80, Fellow Cornbread Mafia Leader Joe Keith Bickett Pays Tribute to a Friend and Neighbor Who Became an Outlaw Folk Hero, Earning Loyalty and Respect from Community Despite Years of Eluding Federal Law Enforcement.

Johnny Boone Obituary, Death: Legendary Kentucky Outlaw and “Godfather of Grass” Dies at 80, Fellow Cornbread Mafia Leader Joe Keith Bickett Pays Tribute to a Friend and Neighbor Who Became an Outlaw Folk Hero, Earning Loyalty and Respect from Community Despite Years of Eluding Federal Law Enforcement.

Johnny Boone, the notorious Kentucky outlaw who led the infamous Cornbread Mafia, a vast domestic marijuana-producing organization in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on Friday night at the age of 80. Boone’s death marks the end of an era for a man who became a folk hero and a symbol of defiance against federal authorities.

Boone’s journey from a small-town farmer to a legendary outlaw began in the 1970s when he and his companions started growing marijuana in Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties. The operation eventually expanded to ten states in the Midwest, making the Cornbread Mafia one of the largest and most successful marijuana-producing organizations in the country.

However, in 1987, federal agents caught up with Boone and his associates, charging them with drug offenses. Boone was sentenced to 20 years in prison but managed to avoid cooperating with authorities, earning him the respect and loyalty of his community.

After his release from prison, Boone’s legend only grew as he continued to evade federal authorities for eight years, despite a “third strike” that could have resulted in a life sentence. His ability to evade capture and his loyalty to his community earned him the nickname “Godfather of Grass.”

Boone’s story is a testament to the complex and often contradictory nature of American drug policies. While he was a convicted felon and an outlaw, he was also a respected member of his community and a symbol of resistance against federal authorities.

In recent years, Boone had joined his fellow Cornbread Mafia leaders in promoting a hemp CBD enterprise, which grows low-THC cannabis on their Raywick farm. The enterprise is a testament to the changing times and the growing acceptance of marijuana use in the United States.

As the country moves towards legalizing marijuana, Boone’s legacy serves as a reminder of the complex history of drug policies in America. His death marks the end of an era, but his legend will continue to inspire and fascinate people for generations to come.

Rest in peace, Johnny Boone. Your legend will live on.