Portland Commemorates the 20th Annual Global Cannabis March

Every organization, cannabis business and individual is encouraged to participate in this quintessential free speech event.

Last year's march was a great success in Portland. Photo by Bonnie King, Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland is one of nearly 300 cities worldwide that will participate in the annual Global Cannabis March today, Saturday, May 4.

Oregonians and others from near and far will gather in Pioneer Courthouse Square for a rally that begins at high noon, with a scheduled cannabis freedom march through downtown, accompanied by a police escort at 4:00 p.m.

The day long event will showcase the Dr. Phillip Leveque Memorial Stage, with band performances, speakers and vendor booths filling the Square.

Jack Herer & Dr. Leveque 2007 Photo by Austin King

This public event is for all ages and has always been free to attend. Please join us this year as we celebrate the life of the physician who made our community legal, Oregon medical marijuana pioneer, Dr. Phil Leveque.

Dr. Leveque was instrumental to the success of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. In his time, he helped 4,000 Oregonians obtain legal access and improved the quality of life for his patients.

The Oregonian once referred to Dr. Leveque as the most dangerous man in Oregon. He was, unlike the Oregonian, ahead of his time. He was a passionate doctor who could not be bullied. His commitment was to his patients!

The Dr. Phil Leveque Memorial Stage will be the center of attention all afternoon, filled with lively acts and inspirational speakers. Doc (RIP) never liked to miss a big event. He will be there in spirit, and through us continues to educate people and save lives.

John Cornett

Dr. Phil Leveque left this world in 2015, on Global Cannabis Day. It's wonderful, and fitting, that he be honored by all of us.

If you were a patient of the good doctor, please come out to honor his legacy by marching in solidarity. If you have never marched before, join us to celebrate all who we have loved and lost in movement!

This important event grows every year as does advocacy for decriminalization of cannabis - for medicinal, industrial, and social use in Oregon and across the United States.

Founded in 1999 by Oregon’s chapter of National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, the Global Cannabis March takes place the first Saturday of May, with cities around the world participating.

If you have never marched before, make this the year to join us! If it has been a few years since you have marched, we need your voice. It's time to dust off your bull horn, make a sign, bring a drum/instrument and take action!

P Town's own, Bad Habitat, will be hitting the Dr. Leveque Memorial Stage at 3pm

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 12:20-12:50 - Band - John Cornett (Dedicated to Dr. Leveque)
• 12:50-12:55 – Doug McVay, Drug War Facts
• 12:55-1:00 - Granny Patton, Patient Advocate
• 1:00-1:05 - Bonnie King - Salem-News
• 1:05-1:10 – Eric Lewallen, CRRH, Parents 4 Pot
• 1:10-1:15 – Jenifer Valley, Stoney Girl Gardens
• 1:15-1:40 – Band - Scott Sky Johnson
• 1:40-1:50 - Madeline Martinez, NORML, Oregon Justice League
• 1:50-1:55 - John Lucy IV, Attorney, Law 420

Leland Berger

• 1:55-2:00 - Nickie Gates, Parents 4 Pot Oregon
• 200-2:05 - Mikki Norris, Activist
• 2:05-2:10 – Russ Belville, Delta 9 House
• 2:10-2:15 - Samantha Montanaro, Tokeativity
• 2:15-2:35 - Band - Young Gates
• 2:35-2:40 – Teressa Raiford, 2020 Portland Mayoral Candidate
• 2:40-2:45 - Anna Diaz, Parents 4 Pot
• 2:45-2:50 – Anna Symonds, East Fork Cultivars
• 2:50-2:55 – Jesce Horton, Minority Cannabis Business Association
• 2:55-3:00 - Leland Berger, Attorney, Oregon CannaBusiness Compliance Counsel, LLC
• 3:00-3:30pm - Band – TBA
• 3:30-3:35 – Dr. David Knox, American Cannabinoid Clinics
• 3:35-3:40 - Paul Loney, Attorney, Loney Law Group
• 3:40-3:45 – Paul Stanford, CRRH
• 3:45-3:50 - Keynote Address - Chris Conrad, BACH
• 3:50-3:55 – Keynote Address – Dr. Rachel Knox, American Cannabinoid Clinics

Paul Stanford & Bonnie King

• 3:55-4:00 - Mike Mullins, Stoney Girl

• 4:00-4:40pm - March Through Portland!

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