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The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Vendors at the Boston Freedom Rally. ANDREW BURKE-STEVENSON/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

GALLERY: The 34th Boston Freedom Rally returns to Boston Common

Andrew Burke-Stevenson September 21, 2023
The Boston Freedom Rally, also known as Hempfest, hosted weed-related vendors and speakers in Boston Common on Sept. 17, 2023. 
Hempfest Vendor

GALLERY: The 33rd annual Boston Freedom Rally

Sean Young September 26, 2022

On Sept. 17, people gathered at the Boston Common to celebrate the Boston Freedom Rally, also known as Hempfest. The event offered a place for vendors to sell marijuana related products. Hempfest featured...

Boston District 8 City Councilor Josh Zakim speaks to a constituent in November 2017. Zakim, along with District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn, filed a hearing order to have the Council debate whether or not to move Hempfest away from the Boston Common. JOHN KAVOURIS/ DFP FILE PHOTO

City Councilors call for ‘Hempfest’ to be removed from Boston Common, citing concerns

Daily Free Press Staff September 27, 2018
City Councilors Josh Zakim and Ed Flynn proposed a hearing order at Wednesday’s Boston City Council meeting to change the location of the Boston Freedom Rally, commonly known as “Hempfest,” where cannabis supporters come together with vendors at Boston Common.
Attendees of The Boston Freedom Rally, better known as Hempfest, traditionally smoke marijuana at Boston Common at 4:20PM. PHOTO BY EMILY ZABOSKI/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

“Hempfest” freedom rally draws large crowd, little enforcement

Adrian Baker September 15, 2014

Thousands attended the Boston Freedom Rally at Boston Common Saturday and Sunday, a music festival and rally for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. Several BU officials said...

Hempfest hosts first two-day festival in 20 years despite city resistance

Daily Free Press Admin September 16, 2013

For the first time in its more than 20-year history, the Freedom Rally hosted two days of festivities this weekend instead of a one-day event, but not without some resistance from the City of Boston. The...

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank says marijuana should be legal at Boston Freedom Rally

Daily Free Press Admin September 17, 2012

Speaking before a crowd on the Boston Common at the 23rd Boston Freedom Rally, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said using marijuana is an individual choice that should not be criminalized. Frank headlined the...

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank urges crowd to vote, says marijuana should be legal at Hempfest

Daily Free Press Admin September 15, 2012

After speaking before a crowd on the Boston Common at the 23rd Boston Freedom Rally, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank told The Daily Free Press that marijuana should be legal and smoking it is an individual decision. “I...

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