Pubdate: Sat, 16 Sep 2017
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2017 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Jacob Carozza

MARIJUANA RALLY ON BOSTON COMMON FEATURES VENDORS, MUSIC, AND PLENTY OF POT

The Boston Freedom Rally was on Boston Common on Saturday.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Boston Common this
weekend for the 28th annual Boston Freedom Rally - the first time the
marijuana festival has been held since voters approved a ballot
referendum last November legalizing the drug for recreational use.

As of Saturday morning, about 7,400 people indicated on Facebook that
they plan to go to the rally, organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis
Reform Coalition.

The festival, which began Friday, is scheduled to be held from noon to
8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday according to its Facebook page.

Musicians are slated to perform throughout the weekend on stage near
Charles Street and at the Parkman Bandstand.

Organizers did not face the same kind of legal battles this year that
were fought leading up to last year's event, when Mayor Martin J.
Walsh's administration withheld a permit over the coalition's plans to
use vendors who were not previously licensed by the city. A judge
sided with the organizers and issued an emergency order that allowed
the rally to be held.

A spokeswoman for Walsh told the Globe in late August that both sides
"have better communicated expectations and conditions" leading up to
this year's event.

Dozens of vendors, music, and plenty of pot were at the event.
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MAP posted-by: Matt