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Times Square "Marijuana Man" Arrested For Selling Weed To Iron Man
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 21, 2015
Modified Apr 21, 2015
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Marijuana possession has been decriminalized in New York State since the 1970s, provided you're holding a small amount (under 25 grams) and keeping it out of sight. But the sale of marijuana remains illegal, so it's still a good idea to be discreet when conducting these transactions. For example, it might be inadvisable to sell a bag of weed while wearing a pot leaf costume and carrying a sign reading, "Legalize marijuana, Need money for weed." In Times Square.
The Post and the Daily News both gleefully report that Raymond “Marijuana Man’’ Lovell was arrested for selling $5 worth of marijuana in front of the Times Square Toys 'R' Us on Sunday night while wearing a "green fabric cannabis-leaf costume" and carrying the aforementioned pro-pot signage. His "customer" was his friend Girish Dani, who performs in Times Square as Iron Man, and sometimes Spider-Man.
"I’m Marijuana Man," Lovell told the Post after he was released from Manhattan Criminal Court. "My friend asked me for a little smoke, so I gave it to him. He gave me $5 to buy a drink. It’s my personal stash."
Dani was charged with fifth-degree marijuana possession, a misdemeanor, while Lovell was charged with possession and selling. Their arrests represent a turning point in America's War on Drugs, and it's clear that a drug-free New York City is finally within reach.
Tagged
marijuana
pot
Times Square
weed
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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