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Light Up: Pot Smoking Protest Rally Planned in Front of White House

© Flickr / Presna 420Obama Budget Allows for Pot Legalization in Washington DC
Obama Budget Allows for Pot Legalization in Washington DC - Sputnik International
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On April 2, a massive act of marijuana-smoking civil disobedience inspired by Bill Maher is set to take place at President Barack Obama’s front door.

In this May 8, 2014 file photo, a customer pays cash for retail marijuana at 3D Cannabis Center, in Denve - Sputnik International
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Last month, Maher advocated for the end of the federal prohibition on marijuana while smoking a joint on air. He argued that the government is unwilling to legalize weed because the war on drugs brings in too much money for private prisons, as well as enlarging police and state budgets.

“State’s rights is always code for taking away rights,” Maher pointed out, adding that when some people have it and others don’t, it is not equality.

The unpermitted White House smoke-out protest was announced on Tuesday by the D.C. Cannabis Campaign to demand that the president reschedule marijuana without Congress, thus freeing those who have been jailed over it.

The date was moved up from the normal April 20, but the baking will still begin at 4:20pm.

“There is a huge pent-up demand for this right now, we actually do have the support to do this,” Adam Eidinger, organizer of the D.C. Cannabis Campaign told US News. "We're calling on the whole country to come. This is a national mobilization. Some of us may end up in jail, and that’s fine. It’s actually necessary at this point.”

The same group organizing this protest was also responsible for a 2014 ballot initiative to cast off local penalties for minor possession and cultivation of marijuana in DC, which won. They have also organized marijuana seed giveaways in the nation’s capital.

Former US Marine Sgt. Ryan Begin smokes medical marijuana at his home in Belfast, Maine. Begin had his right elbow blown off by a roadside bomb in 2004 and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. - Sputnik International
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Eidinger was previously arrested for planting hemp seeds outside of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"We have to take action now, that's the idea," Eidinger stated. "If it’s not going to happen under Obama, it’s sure as hell not going to happen with Hillary."

President Obama has previously stated that he believes marijuana to be less harmful than alcohol. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is the only candidate who has stated his intent to decriminalize marijuana, while Clinton advocates for state’s rights, but not for the plant’s removal from the controlled substance list.

Approximately half of the nation allows for legal medicinal marijuana, while four states have legalized its recreational use.

"He should pardon tens of thousands of marijuana growers in jail right now. And he should be pardoning them all," Eidinger said. "The war on drugs is a failure? Mass incarceration is a failure? Then do something about it."

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