Pubdate: Tue, 11 Apr 2017
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dalson Chen
Page: A5

MARIJUANA ADVOCATES ORGANIZING '420' CELEBRATION IN DOWNTOWN

Police say that recreational pot use is still illegal and officers
will enforce the law

As word continues to grow of the federal government moving toward full
legalization of marijuana, local potheads are preparing to celebrate
their day of days - April 20 - right in the heart of downtown Windsor.

The 420 Festival is being organized by Joshua Jacquot (who went public
earlier this year about his fight to use medical marijuana on the job)
and Leo Lucier (who was behind the Vapelated Vapor Lounge venture in
downtown Windsor last year).

Jacquot said Lucier has obtained the necessary permit and insurance to
hold the festival for the first time at Charles Clark Square (215
Chatham St. E.) on April 20, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"The theme of this event is: 'Freedom is finally upon us,'" said
Jacquot, 24. "We're showing that we're peaceful. We're not doing
anything wrong."

"But the whole point is not just smoking weed - even though it is our
day. It's about hunger in Windsor."

All attendees are asked to bring a canned food donation for local food
banks. All event proceeds will also be going to the food banks. "We
are doing something good with this," Jacquot promised.

Attendees must be at least 18 years old.

According to Lucier, next week's festival will be the first time the
City of Windsor has given a permit for such an event, and he doesn't
know of any other municipality in North America to do that - except
San Francisco.

"It's going to be epic," Lucier said. "It's our day, and we're going
to stand tough."

Jacquot and Lucier are currently seeking volunteers, and there are
plans to bring guest speakers: Sam Mellace, "Canada's medical
marijuana pioneer," and political gadfly John Turmel, who once smoked
a joint on Parliament Hill as a form of protest.

But you can't run an outdoor festival on good vibes alone. There
remains the small matter of marijuana possession being currently illegal.

"Public safety is our number one priority at any rally or protest,
regardless of the topic," said Windsor police spokesman Sgt. Steve
Betteridge. "Number two would be that our officers are sworn to
enforce the law - as it is, at that time."

Betteridge said Windsor police are aware of the media coverage of the
federal government's progress toward marijuana legalization. "While
that process is ongoing, the law is the law," Betteridge emphasized.

Asked about the prospect of legal problems at the festival, Jacquot
said he expects the majority of people who will attend will be
medicinal users with the necessary prescriptions for legal possession
and consumption.

"If a recreational user is going to show up, that's totally upon
them," he said.

"But the whole point of this is to show that marijuana is not a
dangerous substance, as some are saying it is."
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