Bob Marley to be the face of new marijuana line

NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The family of Reggae singer Bob Marley announced he will be the face of Marley Natural, "a premium cannabis brand rooted in the life and legacy" of one of the drug's most loyal advocates.

The line will include pot-infused creams, vaporizers in the style of e-cigarettes and strains of "heirloom Jamaican cannabis," inspired by the herb that Marley enjoyed in extravagant, finger-sized joints. Most of the marijuana will be sold in packets -- buyers will have to roll their own joints.

"This is what the end of prohibition looks like," said Brendan Kennedy, the CEO of Privateer Holdings, which owns Marley Natural. "Bob Marley started to push for legalization more than 50 years ago. We're going to help him finish it.

Marley's children appeared on NBC's Today Show to discuss the new line.

"Herb is for the healing of the nation; herb is for the meditation; herb is for the higher vibrations," said Rohan Marley.

The launch of the product has its critics. Professor at the University of Florida and a former White House senior drug policy adviser Kevin Sabet said this is just a way for corporations to profit on the marijuana market.

"This is 'Big Marijuana' at its worst," he told ABC News. "This is further evidence that legalizing marijuana isn't about getting people out of jail or letting adults smoke in their home: it's about today's corporate CEOs making millions. This is very troubling, but it confirms our biggest fears about 'Big Marijuana.'"

Marley Natural will hit shelves in late 2015.