the most acclaimed association of ipanema with cannabis dates back to 1988, an historical summer still famous today as the 'verão da lata,' - the summer of the can.

late in 1987, a boat carrying 22 tons of marijuana was forced to get rid of its cargo while being pursued by brazilian navy forces. 

so, 20,000 cans containing 22 tons of marijuana fell to the bottom of the ocean - to be slowly released by the tide along a great portion of the brazilian coast.