Elected Officials and Industry Leaders to Speak at NYC Cannabis Parade and Rally May 5

In its 47th year, the event starts in Midtown and marches to Union Square Park for an afternoon rally.


NEW YORK, NY, 4/12/18 - PRESS RELEASE - New York’s longest running annual pro-cannabis event, the NYC Cannabis Parade and Rally, returns for its 47th year on May 5, according to a press release.

A powerful roster of elected officials, including two state legislators and three City Council Members, will be speaking from stages in Midtown and Union Square Park throughout the day.

They include:

• Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (State Assembly District 75, Manhattan)
• State Senator Jesse Hamilton (State Senate District 20, Brooklyn/Queens)
• Council Member Rafael F. Espinal (City Council District 37, Brooklyn)
• Council Member Donovan Richards (City Council District 31, Queens
• Council Member Jumaane Williams (City Council District 45, Brooklyn) and a candidate for New York State Lieutenant Governor

The Event begins at 11 a.m. with a pro-legalization speak-out at the assembly point at W. 31 St. and Broadway where State Sen. Jesse Hamilton and Council Member Williams will be among the speakers. At 12:30 p.m., the parade marches down Broadway to Union Square Park, with speakers and music starting at 1 p.m. in the park and continuing until 5 p.m.

“Nine states and the District of Columbia have decided to legalize and regulate marijuana,” says Senator Hamilton. “By joining these states, New York would allow law enforcement to prioritize real public protection needs. Alongside broken windows policing, our outdated marijuana laws direct police resources, court time and the justice system’s authority at people who are not violent, not dangerous and do not pose a threat to the public. We must continue to work towards the day that New York rejects the deeply flawed policies of the past, embraces sensible reform and passes the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.”

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act is currently being considered by the New York State legislature.

“We must expand out medical marijuana program to include all those who can benefit from its use,” adds Council Member Williams. “We also should rapidly move towards the full legalization of marijuana, expunge state criminal records of past users and create a pathway for all New Yorkers to benefit economically from this industry, not just a select few chosen by the Governor.”

Additional speakers and performers include:

• Stuart Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers (RWDSU)
• Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for Governor
• Joel Giambra, Former County Executive of Erie County and candidate for Governor

• Immortal Technique 
• Chief Rocker Busy Bee 
• Lord Digga da Highsman 
• Real One 
• Davey Fresh 
• Ismael Levi 
• Comedian Rob Cantrell 

Check out the full lineup of speakers and performers here.

The Event’s emcees are the Cannabis Cultural Association’s Jake Plowden, Nelson Guerrero, Amanda Reyes and Joseph A. Bondy.

The NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally’s Coalition Partners include Drug Policy Alliance, Women Grow NYC, Empire State NORML, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Hemp Industry Association, Patients Out of Time, Marijuana Business Association and the Green Party of New York State.

The Event sponsors are the Dutch company Sensi Seeds, and Etain Health, one of New York’s medical cannabis providers with dispensaries in Manhattan (142 E. 39 St.), Yonkers and Kingston.

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