Seven Highlights from the 2022 NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally

Despite a steady rain, New Yorkers marched and huddled together in Union Square Park for the annual NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally on Saturday, May 7.

Here are seven highlights from the soggy day:

 

1. Returrn of the 51-Foot Inflatable Joint

The inflatable joint on parade (Sam C. Long photo)

It wasn't easy carrying the huge joint balloon in the rain, but the participants managed to not bogart it.

 

2. Return of Sen. Chuck Schumer, Plus Rep. Jerry Nadler

Sen. Chuck Schumer with Steve Bloom holding the umbrella. (UPI photo)

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler read his speech in the rain. (Sam C. Long photo)

The heavyweight Congress members spoke back to back with Schumer eventually passing the mic to Nadler. Schumer also attended in 2021.

 

3. Return of Redman and Jumanne Williams, Plus Sephida Artis-Mills

Redman, Jumaane Williams and Sephida Artis-Mills all spoke on behalf of the National Cannabis Party. (CelebStoner photo)

Redman led a delegation of National Cannabis Party reps, including his sister, Artis-Mills. A longtime supporter of the event, Redman handed the mic to NYC Public Advocate and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, who previously spoke at the rallies in 2018 and 2019.

 

4. Return of Shinnecock Nation, Plus Mohawk Nation

Shinnecock Nation’s Chenae Bullock (Sam. C. Long photo)

Dressed in a colorful outfit, Chenae Bullock represented the Shinnecock Nation based in Southampton, NY. She was joined by Roger Jock Mohawk and others.

 

5. Return of Asseembly Member Richard "Dick" Gottfried

Assembly Member Richard Gottfried accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo via Gottfried)

The longest standing member of the New York State Assembly, Gottfied is retiring at the end of this year. Event organizers gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts to decriminalize, medicalize and finally legalize cannabis in the Empire State.

 

6. Return of Chris Alexander

OCM’s Chris Alexander with Pilar DeJesus

The last time he spoke at the rally, Alexander worked at the Drug Policy Alliance. Now he's executive director of the state's Office of Cannabis Management.

 

7. Cannabis Giveaway

Curved Papers’ Michael O’Malley with a bag of 100 joints next to Senator Schumer.

Six hundred joints in branded black and green Doob Tubes were passed out throughout the day by event organizers like Curved Papers' Michael O'Malley.

 

Other Key Moments

• David Bronner

Ethan Nadlemann

• The Joints Cheefs performed after three tries

Steve DeAngelo

• Imani Dawson

Java Jel covered Buzzy Linhart's "Friends"

Dana Beal

• The David Peel Tribute Band played "I Like Marijuana"

Aron Kay

 

Coverage

• Benzinga

Fox5 New York

HoneySuckle

Marijuana Moment

 

UPI

 

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Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.