The annual “Freedom Rally” will be held at the Boston Common this weekend, Saturday, Sept. 14, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you’ve never heard of the event, I promise, its not a Tea Party rally. People in attendance are likely to be a little more liberal-minded.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, the state chapter of NORML, will host the event, which hopes to raise awareness of the positive uses of marijuana — the dankidy-dank, if you will.
And, no. Its not “legal” to smoke at the event.
Dubbed “Hempfest,” the rally, which has been held on the Carty Parade Field section of the Boston Common annually since 1995, had been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 15.) According to a report by MassLive.com, however, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department only issued a one-day permit to organizers.
“For the fourth time MASS CANN/NORML is singled-out for special bad treatment
from the City of Boston administrators who don’t appreciate the fact that
Boston Common was America’s first public place and is, therefore, the first
place on earth where freedom of speech and freedom of assembly were
guaranteed,” said MassCann President Bill Downing in a statement to MassLive.
The Facebook page for MassCann/NORML, however, has yet to acknowledge that Sunday’s scheduled events have been cancelled. The organization reported that an injunction would be filed last week to force the city to issue permits for both days. BostInno will update when information is clarified.
Between the 12 p.m. start time on Saturday and the inconsistent updates, MassCann isn’t doing itself any favors trying to change stubborn conservative views about the drug and its users.
This recent permitting issue was the second hit (Awful pun, I get it. Sue me.) the organization has taken in the last month. Boston Magazine reported in August that a city official wanted to raise the amount police can fine people for B.P.S — blazing in a public space — from $100 to $300.
Last year, police issued 34 $100 citations to people smoking weed at the event.
In order to help Freedom Rally-attenders prevent any troubles with the law, Masscann.org published a “How to Safely Enjoy the Boston Freedom Rally” report.
Quick rundown:
- Don’t go looking to buy weed. MassCann is opposed to that.
- You can smoke if you want. MassCann doesn’t judge, but police might.
- Undercover officers tend to be present
- If cited for simple weed possession, you’re not obligated to provide I.D.
- Don’t bother providing a fake name if cited.
- Bongs, bowls, steamrollers, papers, bubblers etc. won’t be sold
- Don’t buy food from strangers
Last but not least, there will be a battle of the bands. I have heard music and the pot tend to go together. Here’s who’ll be playing.
[Flickr Image by Colleen Townsend]
