Pubdate: Tue, 14 Sep 2004
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2004 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Betty Ann Adam, The StarPhoenix
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjparty.htm (Canadian Marijuana Party)

WEEKEND RALLY 'SMALL VICTORY,' POT ACTIVISTS SAY

Marijuana activists are claiming "a small victory" after a weekend
rally where about 100 people openly smoked pot ended without any drug
charges being laid.

"It's a small victory and a step in the right direction," said David
Malmo-Levine, who was master of ceremonies for the event at the Vimy
bandshell.

Malmo-Levine estimates more than 100 of the 150 people who were
present between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. smoked pot.

The only police presence occurred when two officers on bicycles
responded to a 911 call about a purse theft around 4:30 p.m. The
officers helped retrieve the purse and talked with the victim,
Marijuana party member Jodie Giesz-Ramsay, about the event.

Malmo-Levine and others who attended said they take the absence of law
enforcement as a sign Saskatoon police are backing off marijuana laws.

"I'm glad they decided to use their discretion and prioritize and
allow for a certain amount of political activity and what I would say
is legitimate civil disobedience in this case," Malmo-Levine said in
an interview from Vancouver on Monday.

Members of the B.C. Marijuana party have maintained a near-constant
presence in Saskatoon since Aug. 19 when their president, Marc Emery,
the so-called Prince of Pot, was convicted of drug trafficking for
passing a joint at a similar event and was sentenced to three months
in jail.

Activists have occupied an information table across the street from
the provincial courthouse since then. They think their efforts are
paying off with a new police attitude toward marijuana law
enforcement.

"I think they were just being sensitive to the community and the
increasing awareness regarding what cannabis is and how illegitimate
the law is," Malmo-Levine said.

"It's unfair to Marc but maybe they're moving in the right direction
now. Maybe since Marc got arrested, the ensuing debate has maybe
softened their heart a little bit," Malmo-Levine said.

Insp. Jeff Bent said the Saskatoon Police Service has not changed its
handling of marijuana offences and denied police arbitrarily charge
some people and not others.

He thinks police were just not aware of the rally.

"We're not backing off. Our job is to enforce the laws. Any violations
that come to our attention will be dealt with accordingly. If we
locate people in possession of marijuana or trafficking in marijuana,
they'll be charged.

"Our officers weren't aware of the activity taking place or they would
have taken action. We didn't turn a blind eye to this," Bent said.

If the drug unit had known about the rally, undercover officers would
have been at the scene, he said. Bent did not know how the
well-publicized rally escaped the attention of the drug unit.

Organizers had run a quarter-page advertisement in The StarPhoenix the
day before the rally, ads in Planet S weekly newspaper for two
editions and on CFCR radio station. As well, organizer Dana Larson
talked about the event on 650 CKOM on Friday and Global News ran an
item about it on Friday's evening news.

At least some members of the Saskatoon integrated drug unit were
occupied with a raid that captured a 35-plant marijuana grow
operation, Bent said.

One man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and
with cultivation of marijuana.

Giesz-Ramsay said someone called 911 after some young males grabbed
her purse, which contained about $1,100 cash.

"The police showed up and did a fantastic job and they were interested
in the rally as well," she said. "I told them what my position was. I
work with Marc Emery. They said, 'Well you know, we're not all after
Marc Emery, so don't worry about that.' "

Bent confirmed the bicycle patrol attended the call. The report says
the incident happened at a benefit concert for Emery but did not
mention people using marijuana in the park, he said.

Bent said he has asked for a detailed account of the officers'
observations.
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