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Huge lines to smoke free weed on Inauguration Day

The pro-cannabis protest got rolling early Inauguration morning

Marcus Gilmer

on January 20, 2017

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Things were seriously laid back at one protest in Washington D.C. ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, as throngs of pro-marijuana protesters turned out for a wake and bake courtesy of thousands of free joints.

Lines stretched for blocks as eager protesters churned out for a pro-cannabis smoking session hosted by activist group DCMJ at Dupont Circle. The event features free weed, coffee, a message to the incoming administration on legalization, and, again, most importantly, free weed.

Joints were handed out by volunteers locked up in pretend jail cells, part of DCMJ's not-so-subtle message about their advocacy for legalization and criminal justice reform.

DCMJ co-founder and director of communications Nikolas Schiller told Mashable a few weeks ago the event isn't a protest against Trump but, rather, "about raising awareness about cannabis reform and getting Trump to support the full legalization of cannabis throughout the United States."

By the looks of the lines early in the morning, many, many, many people support such reform.

A particular target of the group has been Trump's attorney general nominee, Jeff Sessions, who is a staunch opponent to legalizing marijuana. The group is also raising awareness and fighting the extremely tight restrictions on legalized marijuana in D.C.

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And there were plenty of anti-Sessions signs out in force at the event.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Once the group reaches the Mall, where Donald Trump will take the oath of office, protesters will be left to make their own decision as to whether or not to smoke -- starting at four minutes, 20 seconds into Trump's address, of course.

Schiller said the gathering will be situated closer to the Washington Monument so as to avoid the crowds and security checkpoints for official inauguration guests. Still, the mall is federal land and smoking marijuana is illegal there.

The group won't be hard to spot, either. Sure, they may be a peaceful bunch, but they also wear their beliefs, quite literally. If the smell of weed wafting over the Mall doesn't get your attention, maybe their Obama-themed pro-weed shirts will.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Oh, and this, guy, too. Look out for him. The giant marijuana leaf mascot. He'll be hard to miss.

Lest there be any concerns, ID's are being checked at the event and anyone under 21 is being turned away.

Sorry, sad teens. But keep up the fight and come back in 2020.

Marcus Gilmer

Marcus Gilmer is Mashable's Assistant Real-Times News Editor on the West Coast, reporting on breaking news from his location in San Francisco. An Alabama native, Marcus earned his BA from Birmingham-Southern College and his MFA in Communications from the University of New Orleans. Marcus has previously worked for Chicagoist, The A.V. Club, the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.