Pubdate: Mon, 04 May 2009
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Graeme Wood
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT ACTIVISTS TOKE UP TO FIGHT PROPOSED NEW DRUG LAWS

Pro-marijuana activists marched Saturday in downtown Vancouver to 
enjoy some 'wacky tobbaccy' and protest Canada's drug laws.

Led by organizers on bullhorns and 'Herb,' a larger-than-life 
marijuana leaf mascot, about 300 pro-pot citizens began exhaling 
plumes of smoke at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

"I'm out of the closet," Herb said while blasting his lungs with a joint.

The group then marched to the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the 
Liberal Party of Canada was meeting.

"I hope [Liberal leader] Michael Ignatieff pays attention to the 
polls," said event organizer Jacob Hunter, a pro-cannabis activist.

Hunter was referring to a recent Angus Reid Strategies poll that 65 
per cent of British Columbians support legalizing marijuana to curb 
violence related to the drug trade.

A number of signs at the march endorsed legalizing marijuana for the 
same reason.

Last week, in an effort to scale back organized crime, Mexico's 
legislature passed a law allowing Mexicans to carry small amounts of 
the herb, but in Canada it is still illegal to be in possession of 
any amount of reefer.

"It's amazing this law still exists," Hunter said.

He said the activists are asking the Liberals not to support Bill 
C-15, new legislation proposed by Stephen Harper's Conservatives that 
Hunter said could mean anyone caught growing just one dope plant 
could go to jail for at least six months.

Demonstrators like Dave Douglas believe there are better alternatives 
to harsher penalties and held a sign reading 'Tax Pot.'

"Why not make some money off it just like alcohol and tobacco? Funds 
can go to health care," Douglas said.

Green Party members were handing out 'End Drug Prohibition' leaflets.

The march was part of a worldwide event dubbed The Global Marijuana 
March, which in Toronto has drawn tens of thousands of people in recent years.

"We're still building up the Vancouver march," Hunter said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom