Civil disobedience and MMJ

As we approach the annual 4/20 holiday, celebrations, rallies and protests are being organized all over the United States, and the world. Earlier this month, activists took to the streets of Washington D.C. near the White House with a 51-foot inflatable joint. The goal of that rally was to draw attention to the roughly 5 million Cannabis related arrests since Obama took office and to also seek the reclassification of Cannabis from the current Schedule 1 drug status. When the protesters reached Pennsylvania Ave NW, Secret Service approached the group and insisted that they deflate the massive joint. The oversized joint was then deflated, but shortly after 4pm, it was inflated again and just before 4:20, activists lit up outside of the White house.

So we ask, how much civil disobedience is civil? Looking back to the 60's, protests were an empowering part of our youth. Does belligerently shouting a slogan in large mobs accomplish the same as an organized and respectful march? The crowd of more than 100 people, definitely had some eyes on them, surrounded by officers from the U.S. Park Police, Metropolitan Police and the Secret Service. Still, because the activists remained on the street (owned by the District, which has legalized Cannabis possession) and off the sidewalks (owned by the federal government, which has not) no one was arrested. Just two people were given citations and $25 fines for public consumption.

Hek, we encourage civil disobedience in many occasions but we'd like to point out a concern with the rally in Washington D.C.. The White House and Pennsylvania Avenue are highly visited tourist destinations, this includes many school aged children. Carrying a message and educating others to your opinion is one thing, smoking Cannabis openly in public in view (and whiff) of minors is pushing the envelope of responsibility. If parents take their children to any of the Marijuana / Medical Marijuana events this 4/20 holiday or if they choose to educate their children about Cannabis at an early age, that is their decision. However, as the anti-marijuana groups have pointed out, the tourists in the area of the White House that day didn't have the chance to decide on that type of exposure for their children. This is a problem.

Most likely, an unintended "collateral damage" of the protest but these are the types of situations that fuel the image of the non-responsible stoner. Although a majority of Americans (in recent polling) agree with the idea of legal adult Cannabis use, it's the law makers who are blocking the way. They operate in soundbites and this gave them a great one. When in public, not smoking near minors should be rule #1 in the etiquette handbook. We need to be a little more adult about this, we already have their attention.

4/20 is only a few weeks away, so before you go out to celebrate, protest or participate in civil disobedience by lighting up, please be responsible, use your head and keep the progress of the legal Cannabis movement going forward. Thank-you and enjoy!

#legal