Pubdate: Fri, 20 Apr 2012
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Era-Banner
Contact: http://www.yorkregion.com/generalform
Website: http://www.yorkregion.com/community/newmarket
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678
Author: Jeremy Grimaldi|

AURORA MARIJUANA ADVOCATES LIGHT UP

About 10 people took part in a legalize cannabis protest and
"smoke-in" in Aurora today.

The event, which took place outside the historic post office on Yonge
Street, was designed to coincide with similar so-called "420" events
around the world to celebrate marijuana and advocate for the
legalization of the drug.

Event organizer Heidi Stoecklin, founder of Aurorans for World Peace,
said she was lighting up to bring awareness to the issue.

"I hope to get across that marijuana should be seen as a medicine
rather than a drug," the 44-year-old Aurora resident said. "I would
also like people to better understand that the suppression of
marijuana causes our resources to be spent on police rather than
helping people."

She would like to see the legalization of medical marijuana spread to
allow people to grow their own cannabis plants at home, she said.

"Right now, people can access it for medical marijuana, but you have
to go through the government for that," she said. "I want to see a
world where anyone can grow it for themselves."

The Aurorans for World Peace Facebook group has 93
members.

The event marks the third year in Aurora and the 41st in North America
marijuana has been celebrated in this way by advocates.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D