Pubdate: Fri, 15 Apr 2005
Source: Niagara This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.niagarathisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3733
Author: Mike Zettel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARCHING FOR A FEW REEFERS MORE

Protestors Plan To Walk And Light Up While Calling For Legalization

NIAGARA -- Recreational and medicinal marijuana users will be gathering in 
the Falls Saturday for a protest march and group toke in Victoria Park.

The event starts on a more scholarly note with a speakers' conference at 
Niagara Falls Public Library in the LeMarsh Room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Matt Mernagh runs the Niagara Compassion Society, which provides patients 
with medical marijuana, and is organizing the all-day conference and 
protest. While he's trying to attract people who may not be pot enthusiasts 
but have an open mind, he concedes the speakers will likely be preaching to 
the converted.

"I'm resigned to that," Mernagh said. "But even if we get one or two -- I'm 
working hard to get around that problem. It's a major concern."

One of the major discussion topics will be the effect the drug policy south 
of the border is having here and Mernagh is expecting several visitors from 
western New York to speak on that.

"I believe that America is exporting its drug war to Canada," he said.

The protest march begins at 3:15 p.m. at a parkette near the corner of 
Victoria Avenue and Highway 420 -- 420 is the slang for pot use and Mernagh 
said the highway is becoming a "Mecca" in pot culture. The march will lead 
towards Clifton Hill, ending in the park.