BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Riot police have broken up a pro-marijuana demonstration in Colombia’s capital city, as the South American country takes a harder stance on drugs.
Dozens of people showed up at Bogota’s planetarium Thursday with posters and small amounts of marijuana to stage a “smoke-a-thon” to defend recreational use of the plant.
But the crowd was dispersed by police in riot gear minutes after protesters began to light up their marijuana cigarettes. At least half a dozen people were arrested as clashes broke out.
Colombia’s constitution enables marijuana users to possess small doses meant for personal consumption. But new President Ivan Duque is tightening drug laws and recently issued a decree that enables police to confiscate any drug consumed in public.
An activist shouts during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Activists hold a banner reading “Yes to personal dose” during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for consumption, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers in riot gear secure the area where activists are holding protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for consumption, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist takes part in a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist rolls a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist rolls a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint defying police officers, during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator is restrained by Colombian police, during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers in riot gear secure the area where activists are holding protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators are restrained by Colombian police, during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator is restrained by Colombian police, during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers in riot gear secure the area where activists are holding a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers in riot gear secure the area where activists are holding protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Activists roll joints during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist takes part in a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
An activist smokes a joint during a protest against the prohibition of bearing a minimum dose of marijuana for personal use, in Bogota on September 6, 2018. – The government is preparing a decree that empowers the police to confiscate small quantities of drugs to consumers. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images
Police detain a man who was blocking traffic during a protest against a decree by Colombia’s President Ivan Duque that would allow police to confiscate any amount of drugs from people in the street in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court approved a government bill to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A protester carries carries a flag featuring a cannabis leaf during a student march against a decree by Colombia’s President Ivan Duque that would allow police to confiscate any amount of drugs from people in the street in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court approved a government bill to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Youth smoke marijuana to protest a decree by Colombia’s President Ivan Duque that would allow police to confiscate any amount of drugs from people in the street in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court approved a government bill to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Youth smoke marijuana to protest a decree by Colombia’s President Ivan Duque that would allow police to confiscate any amount of drugs from people in the street in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court approved a government bill to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A youth smokes marijuana as police stand by during a student march against a decree by Colombia’s President Ivan Duque that would allow police to confiscate any amount of drugs from people in the street in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. In 2012, Colombia’s Constitutional Court approved a government bill to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
