I'll only comment that I was at the Hemp Expo / Cannabis Cup event in Oakland a few weeks ago, a trade event where thousands of folks and hundreds of booths were in the exact same area as the protesters are today. Coutless folks smoking marijuana literally on the police station's front steps and in the city hall plaza.
The Oakland PD was remarkably professional in dealing with us and earned much respect from me that weekend, because they stayed out of the event and kept a low, watchful profile on the perimeter.
First class, IMHO.
If they're having a problem now, it's probably not because of them...
