As a part of the international movement to legalize marijuana, thousands of Chileans participated in Saturday’s Million Marijuana March. Since 2005, Santiago has been participating in this event, joining more than 300 cities around the world. By marching, sparking public debate and signing a petition, the afternoon was all about having the right to possess Cannabis if one so desired. Their statement: We’re not asking for tolerance, we’re demanding respect.

As I walked toward the starting point, close to Los Heroes Metro, a distinct smell permeating through the air got stronger and stronger. Knowing that just a few years ago, Chile changed their marijuana laws from a slap on the wrist to more stringent repercussions–it’s now classified as a hard drug, equal to cocaine–I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.

Drum circles, dancing, people dressed as plants, handmade jewelry, a ton of soy burgers, bongs, pipes and some amazingly huge joints. The march was escorted by the police, who really seemed indifferent, and the movement went off without a hitch; everything was quite peaceful, they marched down Alemeda to make their point, signed the petition in Parque Bustamante and dissipated.

I got to thinking about the movement, going on around the world, in which millions gathered for this one purpose. You never really see people fighting to legalize cocaine or hear, “We should be able to inject heroine in our veins if we want to!” But they’re always fighting for marijuana, since the day it became illegal. People surely feel passionate about the issue, the thousands in Chile just one example.