A Giant Joint in the Streets of Philadelphia

Pro-cannabis activists marched through the streets of Philadelphia carrying a giant 15-meter-long joint to call for the federal legalization of cannabis.

The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday in Philadelphia. While politicians are putting on a show and announcing their support for Hillary Clinton, a parade unlike any other is taking place outside. Pro-legalization activists have taken to the streets of Philadelphia and organized a 5-kilometer march from City Hall to the Democratic Convention.

To make a lasting impression, the activists inflated a giant joint balloon measuring 15 meters long. It reads: «Duped by the Democrats" » (a play on words with Bernie Sanders), and on the other side: « »Hillary, regulate cannabis now!".  In fact, the legalization of cannabis at the federal level does not appear to be part of the Democratic candidate’s platform, whereas it was part of Bernie Sanders’ platform; he had to throw his support behind the candidate due to a lack of backing. These protesters had already rolled a giant joint during a sitting in front of the White House last April for 4/20.

A protester told CBS: «It’s a plant; you don’t have to use it, but everyone should have access to it.».

These protesters are calling on the Democratic Party to keep its promises because Hillary Clinton has remained silent on the matter. While Bernie Sanders was clearly in favor of federal cannabis legalization, less radical Democrats are opposed to it and are sidestepping the issue: «We believe that states are laboratories of democracy when it comes to cannabis. If states want to decriminalize it, they can.» However, the party has taken a stance in favor of reclassifying cannabis. It wants to lower cannabis’s classification to at least Schedule II, which would allow for more scientific research on cannabis and easier access for patients.

Bernie Sanders invites his supporters smokers to vote for Hillary Clinton. He says he will push for reform once his former rival is nominated. «We need a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate to work on cannabis.».

Still, be wary of losing votes to Donald Trump. The Republican candidate calls for the legalization of medical cannabis at the federal level, after changing their position on the matter several times.