Weed the people: Park preps for pot

MassCann’s annual marijuana reform festival will be the largest party since the Grateful Dead toured, the grass group’s treasurer Steven Epstein said.

“It’s a protest and a dance party,” he said.

This year’s slogan at the  22nd festival is “Repeal Prohibition,” urging lawmakers to lighten up on marijuana laws and make hemp legal in all forms.

Epstein said of the 100,000 people he expects to attend the all-day, pro-pot party, at least half will use marijuana.

Despite the large crowds  who will clog the Common Saturday, rolled together with 20 local music acts and 30 speakers slated to support marijuana reform, Epstein doesn’t think the cops will be a problem.

Last year brought just two arrests and more than 100 tickets to those toting toking trinkets or carrying less than an ounce of pot.

“People have a right to assemble, provided they do so peacefully and orderly,” said BPD spokesman Officer James Kenneally. “By and large that was the case last year, and this year we would hope for a repeat.”

Police presence will be very visible said Kenneally, even though Epstein expects there to be clouds of smoke.

The event comes on the heels of a recent petition filed by pro-medicinal marijuana advocates and efforts to pass legislation through a ballot initiative.