Tom Crosslin

Tom Crosslin
Born(1954-11-10)November 10, 1954
Elkhart, Indiana
DiedSeptember 3, 2001(2001-09-03) (aged 46)
Cass County, Michigan
Cause of death
Shooting
Known formarijuana rights activist

Tom Crosslin (November 10, 1954 – September 3, 2001) was a marijuana rights activist who was shot and killed on his "Rainbow Farm" by an FBI agent.

Personal life

Crosslin was born in Elkhart, Indiana. Growing up he became very interested in hippy culture along with libertarian ideologies. In the early 1980s, Crosslin moved to Michigan. Crosslin was an out gay man, meeting his life partner, Rolland “Rollie” Rohm, in the early 1990s. Crosslin purchased Rainbow Farm in 1993.

Rainbow Farm

Rainbow Farm was a campground run by Tom Crosslin and his life partner Rolland "Rollie" Rohm and home to two controversial festivals, HempAid on Memorial Day and Roach Roast on Labor Day. The owner of Rainbow Farm supported the "medical, spiritual, and responsible recreational uses of marijuana for a more sane and compassionate America". Rainbow Farm was the focus of an intensive investigation by Cass County prosecutor Scott Teter. The investigation eventually came to a head in early September 2001 with the burning down of all the structures on the property and the shooting deaths of both Tom Crosslin and Rolland Rohm.

Timeline

In 2025, a film Burning Rainbow Farm based on the story was made starring Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall.

References

  1. ↑ Swiercz, Greg. "Two pro-pot activists died 20 years ago in a siege. Now, marijuana is legal in Michigan". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  2. ↑ Winkler, Jeff. "Rainbow Farm: The domestic siege that time forgot". The Outline. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  3. ↑ "Rainbow Farm – Supporting industrial hemp and cannabis legalization in Michigan. Campground, concerts, events, festivals, benefits, activism". www.rainbowfarmcamp.com.
  4. ↑ Combs, Cody (2018-07-25). "Burning Questions: What really happened at Rainbow Farm?". WWMT Newschannel 3. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  5. ↑ "Reefer Madness". The Washington Post. 2002-01-27. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  6. ↑ Leonard, Brian (2025-05-09). "Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall to play lovers in real-life thriller Burning Rainbow Farm". Attitude. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  7. ↑ Wratten, Marcus (2025-05-09). "Sebastian Stan and Leo Woodall to play lovers in thriller Burning Rainbow Farm". PinkNews. Retrieved 2026-03-20.