Weed the People
Date | July 3, 2015 |
---|---|
Time | 2–9pm |
Venue | Metal Craft Fabrication 723 North Tillamook Street |
Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
Coordinates | 45°32′17″N 122°40′26″W / 45.5381°N 122.6740°W |
Theme | Cannabis |
Organised by |
|
Participants | 1,500–2,000 |
"Weed the People", officially "Weed the People: A Cannabis Legalization Celebration", was an event held in
Background and planning
"Weed the People: A Cannabis Legalization Celebration",[1] or simply "Weed the People", was held two days after recreational marijuana became legal in Oregon.[2] The Burnside Burn, which was organized by Portland NORML and held on the Burnside Bridge starting at midnight on July 1, 2015, preceded the event.[3][4] "Weed the People" was sponsored by the local alternative weekly newspaper the Portland Mercury and two cannabis businesses—The CO2 Company and Oregon's Cannabis Concierge.[1][5] It was produced by Connie Wohn, who said enthusiasm and demand were high.[6] The event sold out quickly (by June 24–26),[7][8] and there was a waiting list with 750 additional interested participants.[6][9][10] The Mercury's cannabis correspondent Josh Taylor, who organized "Weed the People",[7][11] said the event "celebrates the throwing off of oppression and the freedom of legalization".[5] Referring to the observance of Independence Day on July 4, he said: "And now, people can watch the fireworks tomorrow while high. They were probably going to do that anyway, but we're just helping them along."[5]
According to Wohn, event organizers were prepared and met with "any agency that could've had any sort of recourse or legal ramification on this event".[6] The Portland Police Bureau "gave it their blessing" and did not have a large presence.[5] Security guards were hired to perform bag searches and enforce a ban on outside alcohol and cannabis consumption. The promotional poster for "Weed the People" had patriotic imagery depicting an eagle carrying a stem of marijuana leaves in one talon and several joints in the other.[12]
Event
The alcohol-free celebration, believed to be the "first formal event with free cannabis giveaways", took place from 2:00–9:00 pm at Metal Craft Fabrication (or MCF Craft Brewing Systems), a former craft brewery and industrial building in the
"Weed the People" had a few complications: organizers sold 1,336 tickets and were prepared to supply enough product for all attendees, but the building's capacity was 500, resulting in long entry lines. Hot temperatures both inside and outside the building resulted in at least two people fainting and a visit from the local fire department for medical treatment.[5][14][15] However, people were reportedly patient as they waited in lines. There were no personal disputes during the event, and there were enough cannabis products for all attendees.[5]
Commentary
Jamie Hale of The Oregonian called the event "historic" and "a veritable stoner's paradise", writing:
In a city where recreational marijuana events have struggled just to get off the ground, Weed the People represented an effort that, while it had its issues, was unprecedented ... In cities around the country, carrying around seven grams of cannabis can mean serious jail time. In Portland on Friday, it was a cause for celebration ... It meant freedom to consume a drug people many had already been consuming, it meant freedom from fear of arrest for doing so, it meant the opportunity to smoke, to eat and to vaporize freely—a freedom many in Oregon will be exercising enthusiastically.[15]
References
- ^ a b c Humphrey, Wm. Steven (June 8, 2015). "Celebrate Your Cannabis Independence with... Weed the People!". Portland Mercury. Portland, Oregon: Index Publishing. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ Greenberg, Will (July 1, 2015). "Oregon celebrates with free weed as recreational marijuana becomes legal". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Tuttle, Brad (June 28, 2015). "Oregon Is Celebrating Marijuana Legalization with Free Weed". CNN Business. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Ross, Philip (June 29, 2015). "Marijuana Legalization In Oregon 2015: How To Get Free Weed On July 1". International Business Times. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hamilton, Keegan (July 4, 2015). "In Photos: Celebrating America and Legal Marijuana at Portland's 'Weed the People' Party". Vice News. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Steele, Tim (July 3, 2015). "Weed the People draws thousands in Portland". Portland, Oregon: KOIN. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Cizmar, Martin (July 7, 2015). "Green and Goal: What we can learn from the Weed the People "shitshow."". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ "Inbox: Letters to the Editor". Willamette Week. July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ KATU. Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- Verizon Media. Archivedfrom the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Labrecque, Jackie (July 1, 2015). "Pot sharing, midnight giveaway celebration on Burnside Bridge". KATU. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Hale, Jamie (June 22, 2015). "Marijuana giveaway and smokeout event will celebrate legalization in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Sherwood, Courtney (July 3, 2015). "Oregon marijuana fans look to cash in on new law". Reuters. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Hale, Jamie (July 3, 2015). "Marijuana giveaway draws huge crowds at historic Weed the People event in Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Marijuana giveaway draws huge crowds at historic Weed the People event in Portland". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. July 4, 2015. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Peck, Jamie (June 30, 2015). "They're giving away free weed in Portland". Death and Taxes. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Catherman, Sam (July 4, 2015). "'Weed the People' – Oregonian potheads gather to celebrate new law". The State Column. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ Frizzelle, Christopher (July 4, 2015). "Meanwhile in Portland, Where Weed Is Now Legal, "Weed the People" Attendees Got Seven Free Grams Each". The Stranger. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
External links
- Weed the People: A Cannabis Legalization Celebration! at Bold Type Tickets
- Weed the People Portland—A Cannabis Legalization Celebration! at Facebook
- Hurry! Get Your Tickets Quick for Weed the People! (June 21, 2015), Portland Mercury