Pubdate: Thu, 21 Apr 2016
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Paula McCooey

POT FANS CHILL ON THE HILL FOR 4-20 RALLY

With the federal Liberals blazing forward with plans to legalize
marijuana, pot advocates gathered in droves Wednesday for the annual
4-20 rally at Parliament Hill.

At previous rallies, when the Conservative government was in power,
members of the pro-cannabis movement had used the 4-20 event as a
platform to voice displeasure with Canada's marijuana laws. However
this year's rally took a more relaxed tone. Instead of protesters
waving placards, there were clusters of people sitting on the front
lawn, quietly using bongs and smoking joints in the name of solidarity.

And with the end seemingly nigh for illegal marijuana, some at this
year's event said 4-20 rallies will eventually cease to exist.

"Apparently this is going to be the last 4-20 since (Prime Minister
Justin) Trudeau is apparently going to announce the legalization from
what I heard," said Lyndsay MacDonald, 23, who admitted that the day
was more about the "opportunity to smoke on Parliament Hill" without
consequence.

As the huge crowd of 4-20 supporters went about their business,
tourists visiting Parliament took in the sights, and some saw more
than they expected.

"I'm seeing big bags of weed and bongs and I'm thinking, what is going
on?" said New York City tourist Lena Mirchandani, 56, who was in
Ottawa to see family and take a tour. "I have never seen anything like
this in my life. I am just blown away. I'm from New York City. You
can't smoke weed on the streets of New York. You'd be arrested."

Meanwhile, Health Minister Jane Philpott was in New York City on
Wednesday to announce the process of legalizing and regulating
marijuana will be introduced next spring. She made the announcement at
the United Nations, where she is leading the Canadian delegation to
the UN General Assembly special session on drugs.

Angela Douglas, 56, has been coming to 4-20 rallies for six years. She
said Philpott's announcement is a step in the right direction but
she'll believe it when she sees it.

"We voted last year for change now, not two or three years from now,"
said Douglas, holding a banner that read 'It's time for peace. Legalize.'

"It will (happen) but it's not going to be as quick as they said it
would. It will take a long time," she said.

Russell Barth, a longtime marijuana activist, echoed those thoughts
and questioned why the government needs to prolong what can be changed
now, suggesting immediate decriminalization.

"(The federal government) could sign a paper today removing marijuana
from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and end the arrests
immediately," he said.

Those who oppose legalization saw Wednesday as a dark day. Pam McColl
from SAM Canada, the Canadian chapter of Smart Approaches to
Marijuana, said the move to table a bill to legalize marijuana by next
spring is disappointing.

"We are greatly disappointed that Canada used its precious time on the
global stage to promote the legalization - and thus commercialization
- - of cannabis," said McColl, who is at the UN conference this week.
"This statement sent a powerful message from our government that
profits come ahead of public health."

While the Liberals are basing the push to legalization on harm
reduction, 4-20 supporter Calvin Major, 17, is not confident new laws
will keep marijuana out of the hands of young people.

"People who like to smoke will smoke no matter what, whether change is
coming or not."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D