The Washington Times: Marijuana legalization activists in the nation’s capital plan to hand out thousands of joints during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration as a way to raise awareness about the fragility of legal pot under his administration.
DCMJ, the advocacy group behind the ballot initiative that legalized pot in Washington, D.C., in 2014, will take to the streets Jan. 20 to give away 4,200 joints — or about 40 ounces of marijuana.
“We are forced to do this type of publicity stunt because the Trump administration hasn’t mentioned marijuana once since he was elected,” said DCMJ founder Adam Eidinger. “It reminds people that the public wants change, and the politicians aren’t doing it.”
The giveaway raises awareness on two fronts — First, even though D.C. voters legalized marijuana in 2014, it is still illegal to buy or sell the drug in the nation’s capital because Congress barred city lawmakers from passing new marijuana laws.
Second, activists hope to align with Trump supporters who also back marijuana legalization in their home states so they can work together to push the Republican administration to expand legalization and address regulations that hinder pot-related businesses.
A hodgepodge of protest groups are planning massive demonstrations during Mr. Trump’s inauguration, with some aimed at disrupting the event. But Mr. Eidinger said the marijuana protests are not meant to shut down the celebration or to alienate Trump supporters.
