Pro-Cannabis Groups Invite Thousands to Light Up Inauguration Day

Whether you’re dreading it or eagerly awaiting it, January 20 is shaping up to be a memorable day. The D.C. Cannabis Coalition says it plans to hand out 4,200 joints on Inauguration Day to protestors in an effort to promote federal cannabis legalization. Although the protest is not identified as an “anti-Trump” movement, the pro-cannabis groups involved have voiced their concerns about the president-elect, and specifically his Attorney General pick, Jeff Sessions. Advocates are concerned Sessions could overturn the laws that have recently been put in place regarding cannabis consumption. Sessions, who has been a very strong opponent of cannabis, has voiced his disapproval of the plant many times, calling it “dangerous.”

The handout is scheduled to begin at 8am at Dupont Circle in our nation’s capital. While giving cannabis away for free is legal, it is still illegal to smoke cannabis on government land, which makes lighting up during the march on the National Mall a little risky. Protesters who accept the “gifts” being distributed that morning are encouraged to light up precisely four minutes and 20 seconds in to Mr. Trump’s speech.

While some may argue that the protestors’ message is justified, serving a purpose to educate others of the benefits that come from cannabis consumption, as well as support the rights of the cannabis industry, it could also be argued that taking part in an illegal activity to promote its legality is counterproductive and could backfire. Is it safer to cater to your audience in order to be heard and taken seriously?

Adam Eidinger, founder of DCMJ, a group that helped get Initiative 71, legalizing cannabis in Washington D.C., told USA Today that the protest is “a form of civil disobedience,” and that those participating in the march would be informed of the risk for arrest.

As for Mr. Trump who has flip-flopped on his stance concerning the laws surrounding cannabis consumption, it is certain that come January 20th, those views will have to be addressed.