Pubdate: Sat, 04 Nov 2000
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  380 Hunt Club Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5H7
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/
Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html
Author: A.J. Blauer

HILL RALLY AIMING TO FIRE UP POT SUPPORT

Rick Reimer isn't satisfied being one of the few allowed to grow and 
possess marijuana -- he wants to legalize it for all Canadians. The 
Pembroke man is organizing a rally at the Centennial Flame on Parliament 
Hill at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 -- two days before the federal election.

"It will force the politicians to actually talk about it instead of 
sniggering around and making little jokes," said Reimer, puffing a roach 
under the shadow of the Peace Tower yesterday.

Reimer, who has multiple sclerosis, is one of 74 Canadians allowed to grow 
and possess a tiny amount of pot for medicinal purposes. He said it helps 
him fight nausea, ward off fatigue and generally improve his quality of life.

No Harm Done

"The only harm it ever does to anyone is you're ingesting smoke into your 
lungs," he said, suggesting pot is less harmful than legalized tobacco, 
alcohol and prescription drugs.

Reimer is somewhat of an enigma in Canada; people can't share the contents 
of his "happy box" or even water his ration of seven marijuana plants.

Sotos Petrides, Marijuana Party candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean, said he 
attempted to enlighten the public about cannabis as an outreach worker for 
Health Canada's Office of Natural Health Products. He quit after 10 
stifling weeks.

While acknowledging he'll never be elected, Petrides hopes his party 
garners enough votes to force the government to legalize marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens