ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

'Dr Marijuana Pepsi' Gets Herself PHD After Refusing To Change Birth Name

'Dr Marijuana Pepsi' Gets Herself PHD After Refusing To Change Birth Name

She doesn't smoke weed or drink soda

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

A woman who has the real given name of Marijuana Pepsi has gone and proven the haters wrong, by getting herself a PHD.

After refusing to change her name for her whole life, Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck has earned her doctorate and has also been successful in real estate - despite being teased by friends and teachers for her name over the years.

The 46-year-old Wisconsin woman, who ironically doesn't smoke weed or drink any type of soda, has completely turned it around with her dissertation. Titled 'Black names in white classrooms: Teacher behaviours and student perceptions', it sounds like she's well and truly kicking back at the people who have mocked her for her name.

She has earned a PHD in higher education leadership from Cardinal Stritch University.
Facebook/Marijanua Vandyck

For her studies, she interviewed students who had come forward to say they had had a similar experience to hers in the classroom, where teachers and other pupils mocked their name.

"Regardless of what they do, say or what they're trying to put in place, you still have to move forward and succeed," Vandyck told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Obviously, picking a name for your kid is a massive responsibility. Marijuana's mum Maggie made the unconventional choice, insisting that it would take her around the world and make her a stronger woman. Her sisters, Kimberly and Robin have comparatively normal names.

Some people Vandyck met straight up refused to call her by her name, instead trying to push her to have a nickname like Mary.

However, Marijuana stayed strong, refusing to be called anything other than her given name. The only thing she changed was her signs - when working as a real estate agent she used the initials MP to stop stoners stealing her signs.

That's Dr Marijuana Pepsi to you.
Facebook/Marijuana Vandyck

When asked about her views on smoking cannabis, she said: "My main concern are the individuals serving time for marijuana-related offences. I would like to see all their sentences overturned. These people were locked up for making money from the sale of marijuana, and now that the government has figured out ways to make the money themselves, it is 'legal' and, further, encouraged."

She also doesn't drink, explaining: "I feel great. I party with drunk people; you can't tell us apart."

Although she left her unstable home at the age of 15, she put her all into proving herself - and still credits her mum with the unusual choice, saying: "I've grown into my name because I am a strong woman. I've had to be."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Marijuana Vandyck

Topics: News, US News