Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck, a 52-year-old woman with a name as unique as her story, has no plans to change it despite not indulging in marijuana or fizzy drinks and alcohol.
Her mother, Brandy ‘Maggie’ Johnson, named her Marijuana Pepsi, believing the distinctive moniker would bring global recognition. Growing up, Marijuana faced constant curiosity and whispers about her unique name, with many wrongly assuming her mother had a troubled past.
Defying stereotypes, she pushed on to earn a PhD in Higher Educational Leadership and now works at the Community College of Baltimore County and is also founder of the Action as Empowerment Center for Change, according to the New York Post.
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Despite frequent suggestions to change her name from some people, Marijuana remains steadfast. People often feel so uncomfortable with her name that they call her Mary, despite her objections.
Ironically, she does not drink soda and has never smoked marijuana, yet she’s regularly approached by cannabis companies seeking collaborations.
Marijuana is however determined to keep her unique name, making a powerful statement against judging people based solely on 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.”
