SP: Marijuana March brings together public in favor of cannabis legalization

The 17th edition of the Marijuana March was held this Saturday (14), on Paulista Avenue, in São Paulo. With the motto “The Climate is Tense”, the march fights against the repression of cannabis use and for the legalization of the plant, focusing on three aspects: freedom, rights and reparation.

Among those present were rapper Marcelo D2 and representatives of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST).

For the state director of the MST, Luciano Carvalho, the march is in line with the movement's causes.

“The march is such a big movement, with a large youth presence, that is against discrimination and prejudice. And then we said: – why not bring these issues together?. Raise our flags against an oppressive State, against an aggressive latifundium that destroys nature and against prejudice.”

For Marcelo D2, it is dystopian that marijuana is still not legalized. The rapper also highlights the social role of the march.

“I think it’s a community gathering. It’s very important to be here, you know? It’s kind of dystopian that in 2025 it will be necessary to hold a march to legalize marijuana, to end violence. While almost all of South America is legalized, we’re here in the illegal sector.”

Cannabis has great medicinal potential, capable of helping with mental health issues, such as anxiety. Bekoy, who is 41 years old and of Tupinambá origin, points out that the oil contained in cannabis helped her with serious mental health issues.

“I was sexually abused until I was 32 years old. I went through exploitation and I didn’t know what it was. I lived a whole life of violence. It was through marijuana that I was able to live. That’s why I’m here today [at the march]. To demand legalization. Let’s treat life with this plant. This plant saves lives,” Bekoy said.

The “freedom” aspect refers to the free use of marijuana without oppression by entities. “Right” refers to the legalization of marijuana by law. And “reparation” addresses the need for justice for those who are wrongly accused under the pretext of drug trafficking.

* Intern under the supervision of Eduardo Luiz Correia