Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jul 2016
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Sarah Hanlon
Page: 46

INTERSECTION GOES TO POT

Multiple sclerosis sufferer Justin Loizos led a group of frustrated
medical marijuana patients into a downtown intersection Friday for a
smoke session, which shut down traffic. The group of about 30
protesters were diverse but united in their mission to be heard.

The patients who gathered at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Sts. were
protesting Bill 178, which groups medical marijuana in with tobacco
products in the Ontario Smoke Free Act. This bill would prevent
patients from medicating in many places and threatens the existence of
cannabis lounges in the city.

Hamilton comedian Dan Peters showed up to support the
cause.

"It's all about patient rights," he told passersby as the crowd grew.
"They have a right to be able to safely medicate in a safe and
community-oriented space."

He said some of these lounges have operated in Toronto for more than a
decade - "renting space, employing people and paying taxes."

At 4:40 p.m. - 20 minutes late for their planned 4:20 start (420 is
synonymous with weed smoking), members of the small but determined
group walked out and took a seat - they even brought chaise lounges.

Cars and passersby immediately responded.

The reaction was mixed, many people showed support with thumbs ups and
420 chants, while others made their disapproval heard with car horns.

Some very angry taxi drivers weaved through the protesters at high
speeds with no concern for people's safety.

The protesters didn't stay long, leaving after five minutes and just a
few light changes. Longtime medical marijuana patient Naomi Poley,
known to the cannabis community as "Ganja Gramma," told reporters she
was shocked by the cabs' hostile reaction.

"Our plan wasn't to make people mad. It was just to be heard and I
think we accomplished that in a short amount of time," she said.

Loizos felt it was a successful day and plans on holding more
"smoke-ins" in the coming weeks, adding that there were enough
supporters to shut down the intersection.

"It actually doesn't take a huge group of people, which is exciting. I
want this to be big and happening in different cities," he added.
"Tens of thousands of people use cannabis medically inside of Ontario
and we need to start coming together - not to cause chaos but to be
heard."

When asked what he'd say to those who are critical of protesters
halting traffic in such a busy area, he responded with a sigh: "I
don't want to do this. The last thing I want to be doing is smoking
out here in the streets. That is the whole point - we need a place to
medicate.

"I'm a sick person - for a lot of the protest my legs were shaking and
I was having trouble walking," said Loizos. "I could see other
patients who were in distress as well, but we need to be heard."

Interestingly, there was a police presence at the smoke-in.

A single officer dealt with a fight between two men as the protest
started and sped away in his patrol car.

Many protesters were quick to note the city obviously has bigger
issues than pot lounges to deal with.

Hanlon is a pot activist and a columnist for 24 Hours
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MAP posted-by: Matt