SKOWHEGAN, Maine. (WABI) For more than 25 years, Donny Christen has spent Patriot’s Day hosting a smoke-in on the steps of the Somerset County Courthouse in Skowhegan.
In what may be the last year Christen can continue his tradition in person, his mission to fight for the freedom of marijuana access remains the same as it did when he started in 1991.
“I’m looking at maybe my last one here. So it’s up to you guys out there to make things happen and keep things going,” said Christen.
“His health isn’t that great. He has COPD,” said Kent Walsh, a medical marijuana patient.
28 years ago, Donny Christen held his first protest in Skowhegan to advocate for the end of marijuana prohibition.
Despite the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease slowing him down physically, Christen is just as determined as ever to fight the government from banning medical or recreational cannabis.
“It’s like the blind leading the blind. And they won’t listen to the people who know what the hell’s going on,” said Christen.
Members of Christen’s cannabis activist