ITG

4th of July Smoke-In
07/01/09 | Washington City Paper | Mike Riggs

A few weeks after being sworn into office, President Obama told the Oregon’s Mail Tribunethat the “basic concept of using medical marijuana for the same purposes and with the same controls as other drugs prescribed by doctors…is entirely appropriate.” Convinced that one liberalization would lead to another, smokers everywhere rolled off their beanbag chairs and gave one another tepid high-fives. But then just this month California medical marijuana dispensary owner Charlie Lynch was sentenced by a federal judge to a year and a day in prison. As a result, expect more than a few promise-breaker signs at this year’s Fourth of July Smoke-In, D.C.’s longest-running annual pro-marijuana rally. The mile-long parade wraps up with tunes from Lloyd Stuart Casson, San Francisco jammers Ashpool, and Bad Brains singer H.R.’s Human Rights. Organizers advise against bringing “large quantities of contraband” through security—in other words, a spliff or two, toked in moderation, should be enough to celebrate the day.

THE PARADE BEGINS AT 2:45 P.M. AT LAFAYETTE PARK AND ENDS AT 23RD STREET AND CONSTITUTION AVENUE NW. LIVE MUSIC UNTIL 9 P.M. FREE. (202) 251-4492.

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It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.