Melvin Lawson From The ‘Thank God for My Reefer’ Meme Chats About Becoming Internet Famous And What His Viral Video Was Really About

hile many famous reaction images become viral sensations, more often than not, people never truly know who the individual in the meme actually is. In late 2016, 55-year-old Melvin Lawson, who goes by the handle Hoodnews24 online, became one of these individuals after he shared the viral video “Thank God for My Reefer” that became a sensation in just a short few weeks. Eventually, Lawson’s clip where he’s seen crying after smoking some particularly potent weed was transformed into the “Black Man Crying” and “How Old” Is Google Searches memes, spreading all over the internet where it’s still frequently used today.

Although Lawson has been aware of his internet fame for years and is also a fan of the format, he’s never quite received recognition for being the man behind the meme. Since we were curious to know more and uncover the truth behind his relatable reaction, we reached out to Lawson who agreed to chat with us and provide some insight.

Q: Hey, Mel. Why don’t you start us off by introducing yourself to our readers? Tell us a little about yourself and what you’re internet famous for.

A: My name is Melvin Lawson. I’m 55 years old, and I’m from Orlando, Florida. I’m famous on the internet for my video of me crying smoking reefa.

Q: Ok so let’s back up to the day of the original “Thank God For My Reefer” video that you posted which later became the meme. Give us some context on the timeframe of the video used in the meme, when you recorded it and why, and where you first shared it online.

A: I was feeling blue, and when I’m sad, I like to make a lot of videos. A video popped up in my mind and it took me one minute because I don’t do no retakes. I’m not trying to sit and make it perfect. Whatever comes out, it is what it is and it happened to be viral here.

Well, I was very excited, for real. Where I come from, the only way I was gonna be on somebody’s mind is if they watch me on the news or see me in the newspaper. At that time, I changed my whole lifestyle around and started being on the internet more. Once I made the video, I saw other people like it all over the world from China to Haiti and all the way to Russia.

Q: More specifically about what you said in the video, can you tell us why you reacted that way and what your true emotions were? It seems like people are still unsure if you were simply crying from coughing or if it was an emotional and happy response.

A: I acted that way in the video from coughing, but more so of emotions because I was so sad my reefa man wasn’t going to have any more reefa.

Q: Then the earliest known version of it being shared online with a caption occurred at the end of November 2016, which then spread to other places in the following days. Do you remember when you first stumbled across one of these or someone else reposting your video as a meme? What was your initial reaction?

A: I was so happy because I couldn’t believe that I was slowly becoming “social media famous.” I started seeing people from all of these other countries reposting me. When I went places with my family, people started running up to me asking for pictures. Never did I think I would get all this attention from my video.

Q: When the video began widely circulating, did it ever concern you that your face and identity were so closely associated with the video or with weed?

A: Never had a concern. I was so happy and high that it didn’t bother me about my face being associated with weed. I love weed.

Q: After you took notice of it becoming a meme, was this your first time learning about such internet culture, or were you already familiar with memes and things of that nature?

A: I always saw memes and always wondered “how do you make those?” so when I saw myself on one, I was so excited. Then I thought to myself, “Well is someone getting paid from my meme?” [laughs].

Q: Can you tell us more about your family and friends? What was their reaction to your likeness becoming a meme?

A: After the video went viral, my grandson, Dylan, sent me the meme. After all of that, my family started sending it and calling me, laughing and saying how excited they were.

Q: Seeing how you mentioned them in the original audio, did your dealer ever know or learn of the meme and how his weed went viral? What’d he make of all this?

A: He made money and had more customers.

Q: Fast-forwarding a bit more recently, I’d like to hear if it’s had any long-term effects on you since becoming a well-known image with thousands of memes out there now. Has it ever had any major impacts on your career or personal life, such as anyone approaching you to use it for ads or anything?

A: I’ve been reached out to by a couple of TV shows and other people, but nothing has gone further than an email. This is actually my first interview.

Q: Does anyone ever recognize you as the man from the meme when you’re out in public? If not, do you ever bring it up to people or tell anyone about it? How do they typically react?

A: People notice me everywhere I go, and they are so excited. I sometimes mimic the video for the fans and make them laugh and they are so excited to see me.

Q: How frequently do you still see your photo being used online these days? Is it funny or weird when you see it now? Do you think your meme is particularly humorous in general?

A: Honestly, I feel joy to know that I can bring laughter to others’ day. My picture is very humorous to me.

Q: Following up on that last one, there are lots of different variants from remixes turning your dialogue into songs or the “How Old Is” Google Searches where someone reacts to feelings of sadness. Which ones do you think are the funniest or unfunniest?

A: To be honest, I like all of them because as longs as they are making remixes, they are keeping me relevant.

Q: All these years later, do you keep up with memes or internet culture these days since you’re in one? Any other favorites you can share, or even some you’ve made yourself?

A: Yes, and now on Facebook and on iMessage I’m actually an animated GIF.

Q: As a final question, do you ever regret uploading that video back in 2016 that went on to become the meme, or do you embrace it now and look back on everything fondly? Would you prevent yourself from going viral and becoming a meme if you had the option?

A: I am embracing it and enjoying the fact that I am famous online and soon to be on TV!

Melvin Lawson is a content creator based in Miami and the man depicted in the Thank God for My Reefer meme. You can follow him on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram to see more of his content.