Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://torontosun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Page: 3 Author: Kevin Connor TORONTO'S TOKIN' EFFORT The first whiff was getting out of the car in the parking lot. Then it seemed to be on the breath of almost every attendee. Marijuana filled the air at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Friday as the Treating Yourself Medical Marijuana and Hemp Expo opened. Although no pot was being sold on site, people with a licence for medical marijuana were being encouraged to bring their stash and try out a wide variety of vaporizers, which help inhale the smoke. Admitted pot-head Stephen Hayes was excited to check out the expo. "I'm really into this kind of stuff. It is interesting to see what is here and it is just a fun day," Hayes said. "Smoking should be legal because it helps relax you. "If alcohol is legal then why not weed?" Organizers say the Expo is about informing the public of the benefits of medical cannabis. "I created this show with one function in mind - education and knowledge," said Marco Renda, publisher of the show, which is expected to attract up to 30,000 people this weekend. "There have been other marijuana events in Canada and while they may have served a purpose for awareness, none of them have focused solely on the people with the most to gain medically from cannabis - the patients whose suffering is eased by the responsible use of the plant. "I don't think anyone denies that some people have a real need for the benefits of medical marijuana," Renda said. Show manager Jim Mahon pointed out pot has been proven to help people cope with many illnesses. "Marijuana has been shown to help combat symptoms and side effects from cancer chemotherapy management, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS symptomatic management, migraine, multiple sclerosis, pain, severe arthritis, as well as spinal cord injury, just to name a few," he said. "But how many people are aware that different cannabis seeds and strains are most effective with certain symptoms and side effects?" Dean Cavan, one of the vendors at the expo, runs the Medical Marijuana Resource Centre. "We give resources to people in need of medical marijuana. We connect people with designated growers, assist people in filling out the Health Canada forms for medical marijuana and connect them with doctors," Cavan said. Besides the educational aspect, people attending the show can buy seeds, bongs and clothes. "The Medical Marijuana and Hemp Expo features hundreds of vendors from all over the world who specialize in medical use and production of high-quality medical marijuana as well as those dedicated to the numerous applications of hemp," Mahon said. "There are also educational seminars and the Ha-Swesh Hemp Clothing Fashion Show, as well as a variety of entertainment, including the 2010 Global Marijuana Music Awards, Howard Dover comedy extravaganza, films, bands and more to make the experience educational and entertaining." The Expo continues Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 a.m. Cost at the door is $15. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart