The emergence of the National Articulation of Marijuana Marches (ANMM) in Brazil: A social movement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

His chapter explores the emergence and strengthening of the Articulação Nacional de Marchas da Maconha (ANMM)-the National Articulation of Marijuana Marches-in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ANMM, a network of activists and collectives advocating for the legalization of marijuana and the reform of drug policies, represents a significant shift in the anti-prohibitionist movement in Brazil. The pandemic, which forced social movements to adapt to virtual spaces, accelerated the integration of digital technologies into activism, reshaping the strategies and organizational dynamics of the ANMM. Using Bruno Latour's Sociology of Associations (2012), this chapter analyzes the complex interplay between human and non-human actors-such as the internet, social media platforms, and the pandemic itself-in the formation and evolution of the ANMM. The chapter argues that the pandemic not only transformed the way social movements operate but also provided a unique opportunity for the ANMM to consolidate its national presence and amplify its advocacy efforts.