Pubdate: Tue, 21 Apr 2015
Source: Metro (Winnipeg, CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5322
Author: Eva Wasney
Page: 2

420 RALLY GOES ON BELOW ZERO

Organizer sees turnout as symbol of resilience

The cold weather was the biggest buzz kill for cannabis supporters at
Winnipeg's annual 420 rally on the Manitoba Legislature grounds.

Still, the small crowd of people who did brave the wind, snow and
negative temperatures Monday is a testament to the resilience of the
city's pot-smoking advocates, said 420 organizer Steven Stairs.

"There's a huge little community here," said Stairs.

"We're definitely growing, and people coming out, even though the
weather's crappy, is a great sign of things to come."

This year, Stairs held a raffle to raise money for next year's rally
and led a pro-pot parade through downtown.

For him, 420 means informing the public about marijuana use and
breaking down stereotypes, he said.

"It's not just for teenagers to smoke pot and skip school; a lot of
people have that idea," said Stairs.

"It's really about making a stand, making a public display of
society's want for change."

In Canada, residents can apply for medical-marijuana licences based
on their individual conditions.

Holly Plouffe has been using medical marijuana since 2013, and she
said accessing her medicine is a struggle because the government
charges too much for its weed.

"I have to buy it off some unknown guy every other week; that's not
right," said Plouffe.

"I should be able to go to a dispensary, have a bud-tender there
that's knowledgeable about the product he has."
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MAP posted-by: Matt