April 23, 2017
A day after 22 people were arrested at a marijuana event in Philadelphia, protesters gathered to demonstrate this weekend outside police headquarters.
The protest began Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Philadelphia Police Department Roundhouse on 7th and Race Streets.
#marchforscience #philadelphia Gathering protest pic.twitter.com/faQ3wJxikN
— Dan Kauder (@Dispatchula) April 22, 2017
Dubbed the "Jailhouse Solidarity Philly Smoke Session," the protest was organized in response to the department's raid of a meeting of marijuana activists in the city's East Frankford neighborhood.
.@PHLstoner + marijuana advocates plan jailhouse support event today 4PM at @PhillyPolice HQ 750 Race St. https://t.co/YIiVPwWMvR
— Chris Goldstein (@freedomisgreen) April 23, 2017
A public Facebook group called those arrested "good people who provide an invaluable service to cannabis consumers and medical cannabis patients in the city," inviting the public to demand authorities release them.
The demonstration was created by Mike Whiter, a medical marijuana activist who told 6ABC he attended Saturday's event but was not arrested. Tickets to the event were $50 and allowed attendees to buy a variety of products containing marijuana from vendors.
Police said 50 pounds of marijuana, 100 pounds of THC-infused edibles, four handguns, and $50,000 in cash was confiscated.
While the city decriminalized the possession and smoking of small amounts of marijuana, the sale of the drug remains prohibited.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has legalized the use of medicinal marijuana, but state officials are still crafting guidelines for the industry. Full implementation is expected to occur in 2018.
Check back for updates.
