Pubdate: Fri, 21 Apr 2006
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jack Boland
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

TOKING UP IN STEELTOWN

Cannabis Activists Light Up At City Hall 'Pot-In'

HAMILTON -- Steeltown turned into Hamiltoke yesterday as cannabis 
connoisseurs descended on the steps of city hall for a "pot-in."

With scores of police keeping a watchful eye, at least 400 pot 
enthusiasts openly lit up during the afternoon rally to call for the 
legalization of marijuana.

Alison Myrden, 42, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for 30 
years, said she needs a daily dose of marijuana to control chronic pain.

"It feels like lightning hitting your face. Just imagine an 
excruciating toothache that lasts 24 hours," Myrden said.

Myrden said she was a former corrections officer before the disease 
incapacitated her, preventing her from even walking short distances.

She is one of the first 20 people in Canada to be licensed to use 
marijuana as a medicinal remedy, she said.

"I used to have to take 32 pills a day plus morphine to control my 
pain," she said.

FREE JOINTS

She now heads LEAP -- law enforcement against prohibition -- in a bid 
to help decriminalize marijuana use.

As the pot-in wound its way along King St. E. to the front steps of 
city hall, organizers handed out more than half a kilo of pot plus 
500 free joints.

Marchers prepared to "blaze up" at 4:20 p.m. The day is known as 
4/20, which promoters have adopted to proclaim the benefits of marijuana.

Organizer Chris Goodwin, owner of the Up in Smoke Cafe, said he was 
happy with the turnout, double last year's.

"It is very successful. An achievement in civil disobedience and in 
that people were willing to get arrested," Goodwin said.

Goodwin said his goal was to show Hamilton Police that those smoking 
pot are a peaceful group and that cops should place pot possession on 
their low end of priorities.

Police were ordered to simply keep watch as long as the demonstration 
was peaceful.

A global marijuana event will run May 4-10 in Toronto with the main 
event set for May 6 at Queen's Park, co-ordinator Tracy Curley said.

A "4/20 magic bus tour" is scheduled for this weekend in Niagara Falls.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom