Activists protesting marijuana prohibition will be holding both a rally and march at the Democratic National Convention this month.
The events are being organized in part by Denver Chicano activist Miguel Lopez and legalization advocate Robert Chase to take advantage of the convention’s media spotlight.
On the Friday before the convention, Aug. 22, a rally will be held on the west steps of the state capitol building according to organizers, although a specific time has not been set. The activists are careful to note that smoking of cannabis is not permitted on the state Capitol grounds.
Then on Thursday,Aug. 28, the last day of the convention and the same day an immigrant rights parade is planned, there will be a pro-legalization march starting at 2 p.m. from Lincoln Park.
Earlier this year, Lopez organized the first "4-20" event celebrating marijuana to be sanctioned by the city through a park permit.
"4-20" is a day traditionally celebrated by pot supporters as a day to smoke marijuana on April 20th, sometimes in public as an action of civil disobedience.