Washington, Mar 27 (EFE).– A group of 30 defenders of marijuana use distributed 15,000 seeds of the plant in Washington D.C. to celebrate the fact that, since a month ago, it has been legal to smoke, plant and possess cannabis, though not to sell it, in the capital of the United States.

The promoter of legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Washington, Adam Eidinger, told Efe on Friday that more than 2,000 people were on hand Thursday for the first of two meetings to share pot seeds, organized by the DC Cannabis Campaign group, of which he is president.

The group had promoted a popular legislative bill which, in last November’s elections, was supported by 70.1 percent of voters in the District of Columbia, home of the nation’s capital.

It was already legal to consume marijuana for medicinal purposes in Washington, even though weed possession was fined approximately the same as a traffic ticket.

But since a month ago, anyone age 21 or older has been able to possess 60 grams of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home, though only three can have flowers.

The distribution of seeds took place on 18th Street in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in northwest Washington, known for its nightlife and the murals adorning the walls of its bars and restaurants.

“We were handing out seeds for almost three hours. It was a success. People stood in long lines that went right around the block,” Eidinger said, adding that it all went off in a relaxed atmosphere and that people waited up to an hour to get their seeds.

For this Saturday, the DC Cannabis Campaign group has organized another exchange of seeds during which, besides handing out marijuana, it plans “to open the debate and go forward with the battle against the lack of citizens’ rights in the District of Columbia,” Eidiger said, referring to the constant opposition of Congress to the local ruling legalizing pot.

The battle between Congress and local authorities has reawakened discontent in the capital, where for decades local citizens have wanted the District of Columbia to become the 51st state of the union. EFE