Pubdate: Fri, 29 Aug 2003
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 The Sudbury Star
Contact:  http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Author: Rob O'Flanagan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT ACTIVISTS LIGHT UP IN SUDBURY

'They Are Allowed To Make Their Point,' Police Say

Local News - Canada's high priest of pot culture was basking in his celebrity
Thursday when he visited Sudbury.

Canada's leading advocate for legalizing marijuana, was swarmed by about 100
supporters and autograph seekers on the front lawn of Greater Sudbury Police
headquarters.

The police acted as though he wasn't even there.

"They are allowed to make their point," said Staff Insp. Brian Jarrett.

"We live in a democracy and until the legislation is straightened out in
November, any activity that involves simple possession of less than 15 grams
will not be acted upon by the police."

Emery, on his nationwide Summer of Legalization Tour, is spreading the word
that it is legal to smoke pot in public places in Ontario.

He encouraged the crowd to fearlessly light up in parks and streets.

For now, at least, Emery is correct.

Recent court decisions in Ontario have struck down laws that made simple
possession of cannabis a criminal offence.

Law enforcement officials are now awaiting federal legislation that will define
new laws governing the herb. Parliament will vote on the proposed legislation
sometime in November.

At 4:20 p.m., Emery, a businessman who publishes Cannabis Culture Magazine and
runs Marc Emery Direct Seeds, shared a giant joint with the crowd.

Dozens of smaller joints were sparked.

Emery rallied the crowd with a pro-pot speech that accused the Canadian and
Ontario governments, along with health officials, of misleading the public
about the realities of marijuana.

Cannabis, he said, is a purely benevolent substance.

"Pot was declared legal in Ontario over two years ago," said Emery, as he
signed the copies of Cannabis Culture that were thrust at him.

Dressed in a green suit and tie, the activist looked out of place in the
casually dressed gathering.

"Why hasn't the Attorney General of Ontario announced this publicly?" he said.
"It is a dereliction of duty and he should resign."

Although the jury is still out on pot's health benefits and hazards, Emery is
convinced that no pot smoker has ever contracted cancer or respiratory disease
from toking.

THC -- the active drug in cannabis -- "attacks tumours," he said, and pot smoke
improves circulation and digestion rather than restricting it, like cigarette
smoke.

No police officers could be seen near the rally. Jarrett was found inside the
lobby of police headquarters.

He showed no sign of anxiety about the gathering, but disagreed with Emery's
message.

Legalizing pot, he said, would create a major policing headache. Society has
determined, he said, that drinking and driving is unacceptable. The criminal
offence is a drain on police resources and danger to public safety.

If pot smokers get behind the wheel while high, he said, a new hazard would be
introduced to our streets and roadways.

"It will open up a whole new spectrum for law enforcement," he said. "It will
be much harder to police than impaired driving, which is hard enough as it is."

Emery said the criminalizing of marijuana decades ago resulted in its illegal
growth and distribution by organized crime. Legalizing it and allowing people
to grow it in their backyards, he said, would take organized crime out of the
equation.

Jarrett disagreed. As long as there is a demand for cannabis, he said,
organized crime and "clandestine" growers would be there to supply it.

Greed, he said, will keep them in the trade.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk