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São Paulo, July 21.- Thousands of people participated this Sunday in a march in São Paulo to demand changes in marijuana policies in Brazil, in a mobilization marked by slogans in favor of its legalization, access to medicinal cannabis treatments, and the end of the so-called war on drugs.
n” “nLoaded with banners and dressed in eye-catching outfits, activists, researchers, health professionals, and supporters of the cause gathered from the early afternoon on the iconic Avenida Paulista under the intense sun that welcomed winter.
n” “nSigns of different sizes with the phrase “Legalize it now!” were seen along the road, which was also dyed green amidst glitter and smoke clouds dispersed by the participants.
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Some protesters, with a carnival-like appearance, marched while holding high a huge joint about six meters long, while several smoked the herb brazenly while loudly calling for its legalization.
The march took place peacefully and was held at a time when the future of cannabis is being debated in Brazil, amidst advances in the medicinal area and regulatory discussions regarding its cultivation and national production.
n” “nIn a manifesto released before the protest, the organizers of the Marijuana March argued that the legalization of cannabis should be addressed as a matter of public health and human rights, and not from the perspective of criminal repression.
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The document also criticized the mass incarceration and violence associated with the war on drugs, and advocated for regulatory models that include criteria for racial reparation, gender equity, territorial justice, and social inclusion.
n” “nLikewise, the organizers expressed concern about a potential economic concentration in a regulated cannabis market and advocated for policies that guarantee opportunities for small producers, traditional communities, and groups affected by decades of prohibition.
n” “nThe Supreme Court of Brazil decriminalized the possession of marijuana for recreational use in 2024, and in January of this year, the Government authorized the cultivation of medicinal cannabis for companies to conduct scientific research.
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