Philly Marijuana March

On Saturday May 2^nd 2009 I joined hundreds of my like-minded friends for the Global Cannabis March seeking an end to prohibition. The event takes place in over 200 US cities. Philly hosts one of the largest.

It is not always sunny in Philadelphia, but it sure is getting a whole lot greener. The only 4-hour break in the past week of rainy weather seemed to happen just for PhillyNORML’s arm of the GCM.

Philadelphia has shown a strong turnout for the annual anti- prohibition rally and this year’s crowd was exceptional, with numbers over 500. The march takes place each year on one of the most popular and well trafficked areas of the city: South Street.

The unique atmosphere of South St has inspired countless musicians, filmmakers and artists. On any given weekend there are thousands of tourists and locals on the sidewalks all day and all night. It is the center of the Philly’s art, music, food, beer and counter cultures all contained in colorful storefronts along one of the oldest streets in our colonial city. 

South St is where everyone goes…and I mean everyone. If you want a tattoo or a piercing; a vintage or new guitar; new CDs or vinyl records; local designer clothes, killer t-shirts or posters; great beer, cheese steaks and pizza; hippie-wear, punk-gear, goth make-up or a local head-shop you must stroll up South.

But during the GCM supporters of medical marijuana, decriminalization and marijuana legalization shut down traffic and were walking right in the center behind an obliging police escort.

This year’s large and enthusiastic crowd formed up at Broad and South holding up dozens of colorful signs and banners proclaiming “STOP Arresting Patients!” – “Tax Me Don’t Axe Me” – “Legalize” – “Obama = ‘I Inhaled.’” As the marchers assembled there was a cacophony of sound as cars, cabs and even the city SEPTA buses honked their support.

Participants were all ages, ethnicities and classes. There were college kids, travelers following the Dead, Rastafarians, accountants, business owners and medical marijuana patients.

 A most welcome addition was Rob Robinson from New York best known for organizing the annual NY Harvest Festival. The seasoned activist was in town with a back-stage pass for the Dead show at the spectrum that night and we put him to work on the one the 3 bullhorns. Rob got the crowd chanting and cheering.

At 4:20PM Derek Rosenzweig, Rob Dougherty and myself from PhillyNORML  began the march. The crowd swelled with each passing block. Residents opened windows and cheered from balconies. Patrons spilled onto the street from restaurants and shops. Thousands cheered us as we held our signs up high and that familiar and sweet smell emanated from the area.

Willy, a professional pizza thrower came out to greet us in his red apron and flour on up to his elbows. He hugged me as we went past thanking us for marching. Hundreds of supporters on the street offered shouts, handshakes, very-high-fives, pats on the back or big hugs to PhillyNORML. 

The marchers turned the corner of Second Street to the historic brick pavilion known (appropriately!) as HeadHouse Square and gathered to hear speeches. PhillyNORML and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey had tables to educate the crowd, hand out literature and bring in donations.

There were no arrests made in association with the march, which is a tribute to the participants and the police. Indeed, the authorities thanked us for being so well organized and well behaved.

PhillyNORML’s 2009 GCM showed that the city where our nation was formed is squarely behind ending marijuana prohibition.

What better place to find Liberty for cannabis than Philadelphia?

NOTE

Pennsylvania introduced medical marijuana legislation on 4/29/09- HB1393

More at www.pa4mmj.org