Like every year since 1995 on the third Saturday of September, the 35th annual Boston Freedom Rally took place in Boston Common. The rally is one of the largest gatherings advocating for marijuana reform in the Northeast, drawing advocates, enthusiasts and curious learners. The vibrant event, which originally started in 1989 to demand Massachusetts officials legalize recreational marijuana, celebrates cannabis culture and advocates for the end of the stigma surrounding marijuana use.
As the movement for cannabis reform continues to gain momentum across the country, the rally served as a reminder of the progress that has already been made, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.
“I love the inclusiveness with everybody,” said Ava Tahmasbi, a student at MGH Institute of Health Professions who was attending the rally for the fifth time. “Everyone’s really friendly and chill and, obviously, smoking.”
With a lineup of speakers, live music, education centers and a marketplace showcasing local vendors, the Boston Freedom Rally served as a celebration of community and freedom.
The event ran from noon to 8 p.m. with free admission and a special 21 and up section. The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, or MassCann, hosts the event annually and offered a virtual Education Village for anyone who wanted to continue their cannabis education or could not attend the rally.
Right outside the Chinatown MBTA stop and in the rainy outdoors, the celebration was in full swing. Joints were lit, bongs were smoked and edibles were consumed. As a result of the dreary weather, the day featured many ponchos, umbrellas and muddy shoes, making it memorable for many attendees. Families, friends and even a dancing bear were all in attendance, making for a diverse crowd.
This was not the first freedom rally for Tahmasbi and her friend Nadin Othman, also a current student at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Both said they weren’t going to let the rain stop them from having a good time.
“I just like seeing what every different vendor has and everyone is really friendly, there’s good food, good vibes, good atmosphere,” Othman said.
The rally included two stages of music: a general main stage, and one specific to attendees aged 21 and up. With a total of 17 performers and 26 speakers, the day was a music-filled symposium of freedom. This year featured a meet-and-greet with performers in the 21 and up section, along with featured new brands from legal cannabis companies.
235 booths were available for vendors to buy and sell from with six food trucks of various cuisines, capable of satisfying any munchie needs.
Andrew Nunes, owner of CB Disco, one of the merchandise sponsors for MassCann, worked a booth, excited to meet new customers.
“We are a custom merchandise branding company out of Easton, Massachusetts, so we’re small,” Nunes said. “We just wanted to get out into the community to try to get some new business here, meet some new people and reconnect with people we’re already working with in the cannabis space.”
Not only was this event good to promote his business, but Nunes was also excited about “talking with the public” and “giving out freebies for some likes on social media.”
For other vendors, such as Matthew Duval, the rally was an opportunity to introduce their business to the city of Boston. Their small-town arts and crafts business, Duvals Crafts, was able to get an influx of customers at such a large event.
“Hemp fest is a well-known organization,” Duval said. “There’s a lot of people here so it’s super good for our business to try to make some sales. I also like the openness and education.”
Despite the poor weather and muddy conditions, security officer Sarah Smith said, “It’s been a smooth day.”
This year’s theme, Keep the Joint Rolling: Continued Advocacy, proved to be true to dancing bears and families alike. Whether someone is a cannabis user, learner or merely there to spectate, there were plenty of activities to participate in and ways to find enjoyment.
