Snapchat criticised over Bob Marley filter on 4/20 'marijuana day'

Snapchat is coming in for criticism after launching a Bob Marley filter on the anniversary of 4/20 - a so-called "celebration of marijuana".

Some are angry at the reggae legend being portrayed as "nothing more than a weed mascot".

Others say the filter is offensive because it encourages white users to "black up".

The day known as "4/20" seems to originate from a group of friends in California back in 1971.

They met after school at 4:20pm on 20 April and went in search of a crop of marijuana north-west of San Francisco.

The farm was never actually discovered but the group smoked cannabis the whole time and began referring to the day as 4/20.

The term spread and it is still marked today, 45 years on.

Snapchat users spotted the Bob Marley filter appear earlier.

Fans are angry he's being portrayed is a "weed icon" rather than a music icon

It's been called "pathetic" and "disrespectful" by some.

One Marley fan tweeted: 4/20, and you choose Bob Marley to be some sort of filter. What pathetic mess is this? The mans a legend, and you remember him for weed

Another posted: It's rude that they have Bob Marley filter on 4/20 he was way more then a guy who smoked weed, I hate

All the things Bob Marley did, stood/fought for, & accomplished, & he's reduced to just a weed symbol for stoners. Amazing.

Why is everything Bob Marley did in his life reduced to weed and dreads?

Snapchat tripping with that Bob Marley filter. Very disrespectful.

Oh dear. Why did snapchat think that Bob Marley filter was a good idea...

If I see one more "Bob Marley" snapchat story you're getting blocked

Others questioned why Snapchat had chosen this anniversary and not the singer's birthday.

Keon tweeted: They never had a Bob Marley filter for his birthday but there's one for 4/20. :(

Ally tweeted: Snapchat puts a Bob Marley filter on TODAY? Not his birthday, not the anniversary of his death? He's known for more than weed.

And some say it is encouraging people to "black-up".

One tweeted: The Bob Marley snapchat thing is blackface in 2016 effectively. Digital disrespect

Another wrote: I get that @Snapchat probably want to capitalise on 4/20 without DIRECTLY referencing it; but their answer is a blackface Bob Marley filter?

Koko said: 2 reasons why the bob Marley snapchat filter is awful 1) it's blackface 2) over his art he's been reduced to a stoner symbol???

Meredith said: The Bob Marley filter on snapchat is not ok. It's racist and perpetrates a stereotype. He did more than just smoke weed #420

I was raised in a house full of Jamaicans for most of my life, I find people ONLY associating Bob Marley with 4/20 & weed so disrespectful.

Others just found it a bit weird.

Hennessy Complexion tweeted: Snap chat confused me with that Bob Marley filter as if he has anything to do with 4/20

This Bob Marley filter on Snapchat is so creepy. Who thought this was a good idea?

And annoying.

Ashley tweeted: That bob Marley filter finna get on my nerves today, I already know it.

Some just think everyone's overreacting.

We've witnessed Bob Marley's legacy being reduced to nothing more than a stoner for the last two decades and now you're upset about it?

Shaggy posted: If you're triggered over "black face" Bob Marley you need to uninstall Snapchat and uninstall your life

In a statement to Newsbeat, Snapchat said: "The lens we launched today was created in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate, and gives people a new way to share their appreciation for Bob Marley and his music.

"Millions of Snapchatters have enjoyed Bob Marley's music, and we respect his life and achievements."

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