Marijuana Activists Return to the White House

Cannabis activists in Washington, D.C. held a civil disobedience action in front of the White House at 5:20 p.m. on May 20. They demanded a higher level meeting with Obama Administration officials about ending federal marijuana prohibition.

After a series of speeches, the Weed4Warriors project spilled thousands of empty pill bottles at 6 p.m. to represent the dangerous opioids that could be replaced with marijuana. Following that moment, some of the participants staged a symbolic «die-in,» laying down in front of the entrance gate.

«We’re not going to move,»said organizer Adam Eidinger. «We are not going to leave. We are going to get taken to jail.»

On April 2, the group held a smoke-in on Pennsylvania Ave. that received international media attention. Following that protest, Eidinger received some criticism from marijuana reform non-profit groups. Then they got a surprise invitation for a listening session from the White House. But instead of influential staffers, they were met by two officials from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) on April 25. They’ve appealed for additional meetings, but received no reply.

Last time, just two public smoking citations were issued after hundreds lit up.

Eidinger’s group, DCMJ, led the effort which saw 70% of D.C. residents vote to fully legalize cannabis for adults in 2014.

«We will keep protesting,» he tells Freedom Leaf. «We’re planning to bring our 51-foot inflatable joint to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. The more marijuana voters complain about the candidates the more they can respond.»

If you enjoyed this Freedom Leaf article, subscribe to the magazine today!