U.S. Capitol Police officers unexpectedly arrested eight marijuana activists on federal charges Thursday as they gave away free joints to Capitol Hill staffers in proclaimed compliance with a local legalization law.

Activists affiliated with the D.C. Cannabis Campaign, or DCMJ, did not plan on getting arrested, and sought to stand on non-federal land – a sidewalk near Senate offices – to avoid intervention by the Capitol Police.

A ballot initiative approved by District of Columbia voters in 2014 allows adults 21 and older to possess 2 ounces of pot and to give some away. Although local law generally is respected, marijuana possession for almost any reason remains a federal crime.

The arrests provoked outrage from the few dozen activists, who booed the officers loudly as they walked those arrested across Constitution Avenue to waiting police vans.

"Filthy pigs!" one man shouted, using language that would not have been tolerated at a large smoke-in near the White House last April, when activists thanked officers and cleaned up garbage after flouting even local law against public consumption in full sight of U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department officers. Just two people were ticketed at that event amid rumors they had blown smoke in proximity to officers.

Marijuana activists booed loudly as U.S. Capitol Police officers arrested joint giveaway participants. (Steven Nelson for USN&WR)

The Thursday arrests come at a time of uncertainty for marijuana activists who banked many gains during the Obama administration, and DCMJ activists initially didn't know why arrests were being made.

At first, activists believed two participants were arrested for blocking a sidewalk. But as police returned again and again, it became clear they were targeting individuals handing out joints.

A police officer who was not authorized to speak on the record said activists were being targeted for distribution, and that, even though it also is federally illegal, mere possession of marijuana on the sidewalk would be tolerated – a point seemingly underscored by the fact that two large cannabis plants sat undisturbed near the site of the arrests.

Among the arrested was Adam Eidinger, a co-founder of the D.C. Cannabis Campaign and the public face of legalization in the nation's capital, who was inspired to launch the campaign by his anger at a police raid of his business, Capitol Hemp.

The joint giveaway was scheduled to run from "high noon" until 6:20 p.m. Eastern time to accommodate congressional staffers who did not want to risk federal charges by bringing joints back into their Capitol Police-guarded workplaces.

But the giveaway ended before 2:15 p.m., with activists saying officers had "stolen" many of the 1,227 joints rolled to express support for H.R. 1227, which would roll back federal cannabis prohibition.

Many of those who did get free joints Thursday did not wish to speak with reporters. Among the recipients were a health care lobbyist from Virginia who looked to be middle-aged and a Florida college student interning in Congress.

Two activists smoked marijuana in an act of defiance after U.S. Capitol Police arrested people on April 20 for offering marijuana to congressional staff. (Steven Nelson for USN&WR)

It's unclear why Capitol Police chose to depart from a typically laid-back approach to cannabis policing in the nation's capital, but it was clear the response had been decided upon before the well-publicized event.

The arrests came after more than 4,000 joints were distributed without any arrests in a more residential area of the city on Jan. 20, the day of President Donald Trump's inauguration. Massive cannabis seed shares also have been allowed to proceed.

The Thursday arrests were a departure even for the Capitol Police, who despite being a federal law enforcement agency did not make arrests in December when D.C. Cannabis Campaign members and allies plopped raw cannabis on a table in former GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions' office and rolled a joint.

Sessions, confirmed as U.S. attorney general in February, has announced a review of federal policies regarding marijuana, which under the Obama administration were generally permissive.

One activist wore a clever disguise to an April 20 event near Congress. (Steven Nelson for USN&WR)

Ultimately, three of the people arrested Thursday were detained on charges of possession with intent to distribute, and five others on charges of mere possession.

Eva Malecki, communications director for U.S. Capitol Police, issued the following statement reflecting seven of the arrests:

At approximately 12:18 p.m. today, United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers began arresting several individuals after witnessing them distributing marijuana in public view to passersby at First and Constitution Avenue, NE.

Under federal law, it is unlawful to possess marijuana. As of 2:30 p.m., one adult male and two adult female arrestees were charged with 21 USC 841(a) (possession with intent to distribute). Four adult females were charged with 21 USC 844(a) (possession). They were taken to USCP Headquarters for processing.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Columbia was not able to comment specifically, saying, "We will have no information on charging decisions until the court appearances." It's unclear if the office will prosecute the charges.

Eight states have laws allowing adult possession and regulated sales of recreational marijuana, and more than half allow medical marijuana.

In the nation's capital, possession, home-growing and gifting are allowed under local law. Congress, which had the power to block the district's initiative with a motion of disapproval, did not do so, though lawmakers have blocked regulated sales.

Large marijuana plants were not seized by U.S. Capitol Police. (Steven Nelson for USN&WR)

On Wednesday, Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican who has staunchly opposed the district's legalization efforts in the past, told U.S. News he viewed the giveaway as dangerous, saying that "if such events occur on federal property, for the sake of our children, I urge federal law enforcement officials to fully prosecute this egregious violation of federal drug law."

It's unclear if any outside influence spurred Capitol Police to make arrests.

Spokespeople for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Nikolas Schiller, the other co-founder of the D.C. Cannabis Campaign, took on emceeing duties following Eidinger's arrest, and announced the giveaway had to end early.

"It looks like the police stole most of our cannabis," Schiller said. "We're going to be suing the hell out of U.S. Capitol Police."

Activists had intended to invite arrests Monday with a smoke-in on the steps of Congress. It's not immediately clear how the Thursday events may alter the plans.

Watch: U.S. Capitol Police jeered for arresting activists:



A clip from earlier: Boos for US Capitol Police who unexpectedly raided #jointsession420 pic.twitter.com/CPAUGFL9F8 — Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) April 20, 2017



Update – 04/21/17:

On Friday, the U.S. attorney's office announced it would not pursue federal charges against any of the eight people arrested.

Instead, two men, Adam Eidinger and William Angolia, who was arrested after packing up, were charged with possessing more than 2 ounces of marijuana, a misdemeanor violation of local law.

Eidinger allegedly was arrested with a bag of 78 joints that weighed around 2.07 ounces. Angolia allegedly had various cannabis products in his car totaling about 2.4 ounces.