Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Not wanting their protests for the Democratic National Convention to go up in smoke, the men who pushed for the decriminalization of marijuana in Philly informally met with two of the city's top police supervisors this morning to discuss how marijuana activists and users will be handled by authorities during the DNC next week.
"We have a lot of cannabis consumers coming in from out of town - and some of them are delegates," said Chris Goldstein, co-chair of the board of directors for Philly NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).
Goldstein, comedian N.A. Poe and Marine Corps veteran Mike Whiter met with SEPTA Transit police Chief Thomas Nestel and Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan across the street from City Hall. The cannabis activists have several protests scheduled for next week, including one on Monday from City Hall to the Wells Fargo Center that will include a 51-foot inflatable joint.
The activists and officers set up the meeting over the Twitter. The two groups have been meeting to discuss issues surrounding marijuana protests since 2013, when Goldstein and Poe organized a number of "Smoke Down" protests in the city to speak out against federal marijuana prohibition.
One of Goldstein's main questions for the cops today was what would happen to cannabis consumers if they were spotted smoking or holding marijuana by law enforcement officers from outside of Philadelphia.
Since Oct. 20, 2014, when marijuana decriminalization took effect in Philadelphia, those who are caught possessing a small amount of marijuana (less than an ounce) are issued a $25 citation and those who are caught smoking it in public are issued a $100 citation. No custodial arrest. No court date. And, most importantly, no criminal record.
But Goldstein wondered if authorities from other agencies could issue the citations or if they might place cannabis consumers under arrest.
Sullivan and Nestel said if someone is caught in possession of marijuana by an officer from an outside agency during the DNC, that officer will hand over the individual to a Philadelphia police officer, who will then issue the appropriate citation.
The cops and cannabis users meeting was brief, respectful and funny. Poe told the officers that by next Friday, he hopes to be able to say that there were no marijuana arrests in Philadelphia during the DNC.
"We want that too," Nestel said.
"Well it's good you two aren't patrolling the Snoop Dogg concert then," Goldstein laughed.
Sullivan and Nestel have been the face of police at Philadelphia protests for years. Nestel, who has a popular and prolific presence on Twitter, often tweets while policing protests about protecting protesters' First Amendment rights and preserving democracy. Sullivan's cool and collected demeanor is also an important calming force at Philly protests and major crime scenes.
But perhaps, the high-ranking officers' best assets are their willingness to listen and to laugh. Though both towering men can appear intimidating in their duty uniforms - once they smile, that seems to melt away.
"You know, I'm genuinely grateful to all of you because your protests are peaceful, cordial and professional," Sullivan told then men today. "I've met with many protests groups (ahead of the DNC) and they've all been great."
Goldstein nodded.
"We appreciate our relationship with you," he said.
The men shook hands, posed for a quick photo and parted ways.
"I think it's going to be a good week," Sullivan said. "I really do."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot Activists Meet With Cops To Prep For DNC
Author: Staff
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: https://www.inquirer.com/
"We have a lot of cannabis consumers coming in from out of town - and some of them are delegates," said Chris Goldstein, co-chair of the board of directors for Philly NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).
Goldstein, comedian N.A. Poe and Marine Corps veteran Mike Whiter met with SEPTA Transit police Chief Thomas Nestel and Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan across the street from City Hall. The cannabis activists have several protests scheduled for next week, including one on Monday from City Hall to the Wells Fargo Center that will include a 51-foot inflatable joint.
The activists and officers set up the meeting over the Twitter. The two groups have been meeting to discuss issues surrounding marijuana protests since 2013, when Goldstein and Poe organized a number of "Smoke Down" protests in the city to speak out against federal marijuana prohibition.
One of Goldstein's main questions for the cops today was what would happen to cannabis consumers if they were spotted smoking or holding marijuana by law enforcement officers from outside of Philadelphia.
Since Oct. 20, 2014, when marijuana decriminalization took effect in Philadelphia, those who are caught possessing a small amount of marijuana (less than an ounce) are issued a $25 citation and those who are caught smoking it in public are issued a $100 citation. No custodial arrest. No court date. And, most importantly, no criminal record.
But Goldstein wondered if authorities from other agencies could issue the citations or if they might place cannabis consumers under arrest.
Sullivan and Nestel said if someone is caught in possession of marijuana by an officer from an outside agency during the DNC, that officer will hand over the individual to a Philadelphia police officer, who will then issue the appropriate citation.
The cops and cannabis users meeting was brief, respectful and funny. Poe told the officers that by next Friday, he hopes to be able to say that there were no marijuana arrests in Philadelphia during the DNC.
"We want that too," Nestel said.
"Well it's good you two aren't patrolling the Snoop Dogg concert then," Goldstein laughed.
Sullivan and Nestel have been the face of police at Philadelphia protests for years. Nestel, who has a popular and prolific presence on Twitter, often tweets while policing protests about protecting protesters' First Amendment rights and preserving democracy. Sullivan's cool and collected demeanor is also an important calming force at Philly protests and major crime scenes.
But perhaps, the high-ranking officers' best assets are their willingness to listen and to laugh. Though both towering men can appear intimidating in their duty uniforms - once they smile, that seems to melt away.
"You know, I'm genuinely grateful to all of you because your protests are peaceful, cordial and professional," Sullivan told then men today. "I've met with many protests groups (ahead of the DNC) and they've all been great."
Goldstein nodded.
"We appreciate our relationship with you," he said.
The men shook hands, posed for a quick photo and parted ways.
"I think it's going to be a good week," Sullivan said. "I really do."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pot Activists Meet With Cops To Prep For DNC
Author: Staff
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: https://www.inquirer.com/
