Coinciding with the unofficial World Marijuana Day, activists and advocates of its legalization in New York on Tuesday gave away cigarettes of this drug to all people over the age of 21 and who can show they have received at least one dose of the covid vaccine – 19.
“Literally, if you got your vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna or whatever and you can show your vaccination card today to show you applied it, we’ll give you a free joint,” assures Todd Hinden Efe, while distributing cannabis cigarettes in central Union Square.
Under the equestrian statue of the first president of the United States, George Washington, who, according to a passerby, has stretched his arm because he also wants to smoke, Hinden has dressed for the occasion in a tailcoat printed with green marijuana leaves and a hat of matching cup.
Nearly a hundred people wait their turn with the vaccination card in hand to receive their award on Tuesday, April 20, which is written in the United States as 4/20, a number synonymous with marijuana.
“Today is a lucky day, it’s April 20th, today we’re celebrating marijuana, which is legal in New York State and it’s good that people who got the vaccine can have a free joint,” assures Bill Efe as he sits on you. wait. turn.
LEGAL MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK SINCE MARCH 30
New York legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use on March 30, after years of discussions in legislative chambers.
Authorities say the regularization of this drug, which is legal in 14 other states and the capital Washington, could generate $ 350 million in annual taxes and create between 30,000 and 60,000 jobs.
With its legalization, it also aims to give priority to the marginalized communities who have suffered the most from the police and judiciary against the use of this drug.
“This is a historic day in New York, one in which the mistakes of the past are corrected by ending harsh prison sentences; embracing an industry that will grow the economy of the ‘Empire State’ (New York), and a day that gives priority to marginalized communities so that those who have suffered the most are the first to reap the benefits, ”said Governor Andrew Cuomo at the time.
THE HOPE OF A RETURN TO NORMALITY
Cameron has just received his second dose of the covid vaccine, and as he returned home, he heard about the initiative and did not hesitate to stop by Union Square to pick up a unit of bundled marijuana that he enthusiastically displays.
“It’s exciting, things are moving forward and we’ll get it out,” she admits on a sunny spring morning in New York, wearing a colorful red mask.
One of the organizers of the initiative is pro-marijuana activist Dana Beal, one of the main promoters in New York’s 1999 Global March on Marijuana, held annually on the first Saturday of May.
“We have prepared beautiful big, long and thick joints. Anyone who can teach us (who has been vaccinated) can line up. These are people who have been vaccinated and who come to collect their joint,” said Beal who his shows. wish that everyone can be vaccinated as soon as possible so that they can return to normal life and live without a mask.
MARIJUANA, “AS AMERICAN AS APPLE TART”
For the activist, just as people can get a free donuts or a beer if they’re vaccinated today, they can take a marijuana cigarette that is “as American as apple pie” to Beal.
The veteran advocate of this drug was referring to the numerous initiatives by restaurant and coffee shop chains in which they offer products or discounts to encourage Americans to get vaccinated.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could do without these masks? All you have to do is get vaccinated and we can do without them too,” he says before complaining about the deniers and former President Donald Trump’s blame. gives for stirring people’s feelings. those who refuse are vaccinated.
It’s 11:30 a.m., the line is long and the delivery promises to go on until 4:20 p.m. (to mark today), but Hiden, distributing the joints in clear bags saves, lights one up, shows confident that there will be for everyone.
“I’m not quite sure, but we made maybe 3,000 joints. And what we’re trying to do is make people aware of the situation and get vaccinated and take care of themselves and help everyone get back to normal, if the things will ever go back to normal, ”he says right before several signs that read“ joints due to punctures ”.