Nation's First Marijuana Street Fair Takes Place in California

Despite the fact that there are now 17 states that allow the use of medical marijuana, many patients feel as though they need to hide their prescriptions, only smoking in the privacy of the home. This is not the case in Oakland, California, however, as legal marijuana users took the streets this weekend to publicly tell the local government that the current laws do not offer enough protection.

Oakland is known as the first municipality to tax and regulate the marijuana business, as well as the first locality to have an educational institution dedicated to the cultivation and care of marijuana. Now they can add another first to their list.

For the first time in the country's history, medical marijuana users took over the streets in front of city hall and even created a designated smoking area for all prescription holders to smoke freely, outside and in public.

In attendance was Kim Cue, the chief executive of the International Cannabis and Hemp Expo. She is quoted saying, “Patients need to take their medicine when they need to,” and speaks out against the attitude toward prescription holders.

While private use is becoming more acceptable, it is still considered unacceptable to smoke on the streets, at parks, or in other more public areas. This type of discrimination against patients prevents them from getting the most out of their medicine and acts as a deterrent to many considering a prescription.

Despite the continuing acceptance of medical marijuana use, there are still many waves to make in the areas of discrimination and equality. Prescription holders can still be discriminated against when applying for jobs or housing, and these issues are also being publicly challenged.

The street fair, however, seems to be focused on public use. All adult prescription holders are being welcomed for a modest $20 entrance fee. Paraphernalia is readily available, from vaporizers to rolling papers, so all who want to will have a chance to blaze up in front of City Hall.

Oakland is quickly making a name for itself as one of the major bases of change in marijuana regulation, and residents are anxiously waiting to see how this street fair will affect local policy.