Pubdate: Sun, 06 May 2012
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Dave Dormer

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S IRE

The pungent smell of marijuana wafted over city hall Saturday 
afternoon as protesters gathered to call for the drug's legalization.

Despite snow, a cold wind and near freezing temperatures, about 70 
people rallied downtown as part of the annual Global Marijuana March, 
held in some 300 cities around the world, with a few local protesters 
surreptitiously toking from pipes.

Turnout was down from the several-hundred strong pro-pot crowds that 
have gathered in years past, but despite the smaller number this 
year, organizer Keith Fagin said the group's message is resonating in 
society, albeit slowly.

"Down in Colombia recently (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper actually 
said 'yeah I realize (the war on drugs) is not working' and we've 
never heard him say things like that," said Fagin, who heads Calgary 
420 Cannabis Community,

"And now we've got a lot members who are non-consumers and they tend 
to speak out more."

A sufferer of chronic pain from spinal arthritis, Allan Howes - a 
pastor - took part in the rally to push for legalization.

"People think (marijuana users) are just potheads who want to sit 
around their house and smoke pot and listen to rock and roll all day," he said.

"That's not the case at all in my situation, there are those days 
when (the pain) is beyond what I can take."

The group rallied for a little more than two hours, waving signs and chanting.

Calgary police officers kept an eye on the protest, however there 
were no incidents, said Insp. Craig Skelton.

"We have our beat members in the downtown core and as things develop 
they usually stand back and have a look," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom