People again lit up for marijuana legalization in Keene’s Central Square Friday in a protest that’s given new meaning to the word “grassroots.”
Drivers honked. A sign proclaimed pot safer than prison. Even the soldier statue in Central Square got into the act with a sign that read “4:20 Everyday.”
During the ganja-happy gathering that’s recently become a daily event downtown, people congregate to smoke at 4:20 p.m., a number identified with the marijuana subculture.
“It started as two guys just smoking a joint every day. … I’m ecstatic about the way it’s turned out,” said Richard G. Paul, 40, of Keene, who said he was one of the event’s originators.
Surprised by how quickly these lone tokers multiplied this week, Paul said the rally’s purpose is “to point out to people that the war on drugs is a war on peaceful people.” (more…)
KEENE – Anti-drug-law advocates were out once again yesterday afternoon, and while some came dressed in costume, masked and with bongos, one left town square in handcuffs.
Jason Hart, 20, of Troy was arrested at a pro-marijuana rally by Troy police on a warrant for receiving stolen goods from an incident about a month ago, said Troy officer David Ellis.
“It had nothing to do with the meeting they were having in the square,” Ellis said. “It was on a totally unrelated warrant.” Although Ellis did say he was tipped off to Hart’s whereabouts from media coverage of the rallies. Hart is being held on $10,000 cash bail.
“He’s really not a bad kid,” Ellis said. “Actually, he autographed (more…)
During 9/23’s Cannabis Celebration several shiftless, lazy, loser, do-nothing, jobless, braindead marijuana smokers assisted a broken-down motorist while Keene’s police stood around. Police scanner audio reveals an officer actually asked his supervisor for permission to go help the motorist, instead of just going and doing it. All the cops were doing was standing on the outside edge of the traffic circle, parked in the way of traffic, talking to participants in the celebration. He asked permission to walk fifty feet over to the broken-down motorist! How micromanaged are these guys? (You can hear the police audio on the forum discussion thread here. You need to be logged in to see and download them. Accounts are free, of course!) The footage of the community service by the recreational tokers starts at 1:21 –
Of course, the typical comment on the news articles about this story has basically been: “Useless losers – get a job! Get a life!”
The fact is, most cannabis consumers are responsible, upstanding members of society. Same with alcohol. Open your eyes, angry ones. These people are your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family, whether you want to believe it or not.
KEENE, N.H. — About 80 people rallied in Keene on Friday, as they had earlier in the week, to advocate for decriminalizing marijuana.
The rallies this week began at 4:20 p.m., a time popularly associated with using marijuana. Police kept their distance, deciding to let the protests play out without arrests or confrontations.
Many of the demonstrators in the town’s central square were smoking cigarettes, cloves and, in some cases, what appeared to be marijuana. (more…)
Thanks to the Union Leader’s Melanie Plenda for 
