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21 Facts About Steve Berke

1.

Steve Ryan Berke was born on 5 May 1981 and is a co-founder of the International Church of Cannabis, two-time candidate for mayor of Miami Beach, cannabis activist, rapper, YouTuber, entrepreneur, and former All-American tennis player.

2.

Steve Berke was a candidate for mayor of Miami Beach on two occasions, in 2011 and 2013, attracting international media attention with his unorthodox campaigns.

3.

Steve Berke founded Bang Holdings, a digital media company that specializes in cannabis advertising.

4.

In 2017, Steve Berke was one of the founders of the International Church of Cannabis, a religious organization that regards cannabis as a sacrament.

5.

Steve Berke started playing in tennis tournaments at the age of 7.

6.

Steve Berke left home to live and train at the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in Bradenton, Florida.

7.

Steve Berke went to Yale University and played number 1 for the tennis team.

8.

Steve Berke went undefeated all season in his sophomore year and then made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament as the first unranked male player to do so.

9.

Steve Berke was nationally ranked No 45 in singles by the International Tennis Association in the preseason.

10.

Steve Berke finished with a national singles ranking of No 74 and doubles ranking of No 29.

11.

Steve Berke received his degree from Yale later that year, and subsequently entered the professional tennis tour.

12.

Steve Berke competed and came in eighth, featuring in all but one episode.

13.

Steve Berke spent a few months setting up a business selling the Moosh Pillow, a neck support for airline travelers that he had pitched during one episode of The Rebel Billionaire.

14.

In 2009, Steve Berke started showing up at open-mike nights at Miami comedy clubs.

15.

Steve Berke's effort attracted the attention of pro-legalization groups such as NORML.

16.

Steve Berke's drive to decriminalize marijuana gathered 9,000 signatures to get the issue on the ballot.

17.

Steve Berke made a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to make a documentary that would focus on his campaign and the political processes in Miami Beach.

18.

Steve Berke created a platform he called "2020 Vision," unveiling a six-year plan to address police misconduct, flooding, and pension liabilities.

19.

Steve Berke's idea was taken up by Sir Richard Branson, who expressed his interest in sponsoring the SkyLink as a public-private partnership.

20.

Steve Berke decided to create a social media network allowing advertisers to target the marijuana community and industry.

21.

Steve Berke bought the church with his parents, originally with the intention to turn it into condos or rental apartments.