First, they let this guy speak…

Dominic Holden in 2011

Then this guy celebrated…

An unidentified fan of democracy on election night, 2012 (Images: CHS)

With legalization, comes legitimization. One of the scheduled speakers at the annual Cannabis Freedom Rally and March starting at Volunteer Park on Saturday is acting Seattle Chief of Police Jim Pugel:

The annual Cannabis Freedom March will feature interim Seattle police chief Jim Pugel. Having the leader of a major US city police department speak at a marijuana march is obviously of historic significance, and it demonstrates that after years of marijuana-law protests and organizing, including a legalization initiative that passed last year, the political movement has co-opted officials once seen as opponents.

“This is a public outreach opportunity,” says SPD spokesman Sergeant Sean Whitcomb, who is also speaking at the pot rally.

The annual rally starts at Volunteer Park’s amphitheater at 11 AM with the march from the park, down Broadway to downtown slated to begin around 1 PM.