At least 7 cannabis activists were arrested in Washington, D.C., this week when they decided to carry out their plans to hold a free giveaway of cannabis joints to Capitol Hill staffers and others.
The protest was organized by the cannabis advocacy group DCMJ and they had advertised that they were going to be starting at Noon and then handing out free joints for several hours.
The invitation they advertised across social media stated that they planned to give out the cannabis to Capitol Hill staff, credentialed journalists over 21 years old, members of Congress, interns, and other congressional staff.
On their social media accounts it states that they were organizing this protest as their '1st Annual Joint Session' and they were hoping to bring attention to current legislation in place that's looking to change federal rules surrounding cannabis prohibition in the nation; HR1227.
They planned to start at Noon and it's reported that police arrested them by 12:15pm, alleging that they had already given out hundreds of joints.
The police didn't waste any time in detaining those involved over the victimless crimes they were allegedly guilty of. They've allegedly been given charges of possession and possession with intent to distribute.
The legislation that they are hoping to bring attention to, HR227, would end federal cannabis prohibition if passed. It was introduced back at the end of February of this year. It still needs to pass the House, Senate, and then be signed by the President if it is going to be fully adopted.
Pics:
Leafly
https://www.facebook.com/dcmj2014/
Sources:
http://dcmj.org/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1227
https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/dcmj-protesters-arrested-420-joint-giveaway
http://time.com/4749642/marijuana-activists-arrested-washington-dc-420/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/apr/20/420-dc-pot-activists-arrested-during-free-marijuan/
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/20/politics/dcmj-marijuana-protest-arrests/