Pubdate: Sun, 21 Apr 2013
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2013 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Randy Turner
Page: A4

OFFICER PREFERS POT SMOKERS TO ALCOHOL DRINKERS

4/20 Participants Hope to 'Free the Plant'

Scott Webster was sitting on the lawn of the legislature, about to 
load up a bowl of orange kush into his pipe.

In fact, the usual residence of provincial lawmakers was going to pot 
on Sunday afternoon, the gathering place for an annual 4/20 
celebration to legalize marijuana, which culminated Saturday at 4:20 p.m.

"It was a lot smaller 10 years ago," said Webster, referring to the 
hundreds of mostly teenagers and 20-somethings who milled about the 
front of the legislature, parked on blankets with bongs and Bob 
Marley music blaring on loud speakers.

"This is the biggest turnout I've ever seen in Winnipeg. The more 
people that turn out, the more it helps the cause."

Despite a heavy police presence, the smell of marijuana wafted in the 
air, and there was a Woodstockian vibe as, by coincidence, a man 
named Don Woodstock mingled in the crowd gathering signatures for a 
petition to urge local leaders - such as Mayor Sam Katz and Manitoba 
Justice Minister Andrew Swan - to decriminalize pot.

"I want to get 10,000 signatures," Woodstock said. "One thing we lack 
is people going to the polls. If we can get the federal government to 
put it on the ballot... there will be more intelligent conversation 
on the issue. How would this impact us?

"Why not? What are they afraid of?"

Jane Ridge, the CEO of the Canadian Medical Marijuana Clinic in 
Brandon, Manitoba's only cannabis clinic, was also on hand to push 
for changes to laws that she claims only empower and fund organized 
drug dealers.

"In Winnipeg, police aren't running the city, but gangs," she said.

Ridge believes Manitobans should be allowed to grow and smoke their 
own marijuana. "Make it so you can go to the Home Depot and buy your 
own (cannabis) grow kit, just like you can buy a kit to grow 
tomatoes," she said.

Webster, meanwhile, is a proponent of "cannabaking," a form of 
marijuana edibles, and melts cannabis buds into butter (hence, 
"cannabutter," he said.)

"I put it on pancakes," he said. "I put it on toast. Peanut butter 
squares. Rice Krispie squares."

Those in attendance cited a recent movement among U.S. states to 
decriminalize marijuana in Washington and Colorado as progress. Said 
Woodstock: "Whenever the United States sneezes, we get a cold."

"I think the wave is happening in Canada," Webster added. "I've seen 
polls where more than 50 per cent of Canadians want it legalized. 
Whether they smoke it or not, people are seeing the economic 
possibilities (of government taxing legal marijuana sales)."

Even the Winnipeg 4/20 celebration is more about awareness now, said 
Webster's partner, Tegan.

"It's getting a little more like an event," she said, noting the 
circulation of petitions and pamphlets promoting legalization. "It's 
not like everybody is coming here to get stoned."

Webster noted the Manitoba marijuana culture is still "pretty 
closed," relative to places like Vancouver and Toronto. "People are 
very cautious."

Still, at the 4/20 event, dozens of Winnipeg police who encircled the 
legislative grounds stood passively as teenagers stood a few feet 
away holding bongs and blunts.

One constable interviewed said the police presence was more for 
security and health reasons.

"You have some kids here who are used to sitting in their parents' 
basements playing video games and some of them are gang members," he said.

"We're here as a contingency."

Pressed on the leniency of the open drug use at the event, the 
officer replied: "I've never had a problem with anybody who's been 
smoking pot. I have had trouble with people who've been drinking alcohol."

Ridge, meanwhile, surveyed the scene, wrapped her arm around a 
reporter and concluded: "Look at this. This is a beautiful thing. All 
of these people coming together to share one thing: to free the plant.

"Let it be. Just let it be."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom