This past week advocates and politicians from around the country descended upon New York City for their annual Cannabis Parade and Rally (NYCCPR). The NYCCPR is one of the longest-running cannabis legalization events in the world. What began as a “smoke-in” in Washington Square Park in 1973 has now evolved into a parade down Broadway, followed by a rally in Union Square Park.
This year’s event had new meaning for many of the attendees because this was the first year that cannabis is officially legal in the state of New York. Steve Bloom, the former editor of High Times and the the organizer of the event was immensely proud of the speakers who spoke this year, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“It was the biggest day for cannabis in New York since the MRTA passed on March 30. Senator Schumer and Attorney General Letitia James were among the many elected officials we contacted over the years to speak. A few joined us in the past. This year it was almost an embarrassment of riches with all the high-profile speakers who showed up. Of course, it took legalization to make that happen,” said Bloom.
Schumer fired up the crowd with promises to push forward legalization on the federal level and recounted how he fought for New York’s legalization.
