Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jan 2014
Source: Expositor, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Brantford Expositor
Contact: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/letters
Website: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1130
Author: Susan Gamble

RETHINK POT, GROUP SAYS

A group of local marijuana supporters is gearing up for a Brantford
420 Freedom Rally, calling for the legalization of the drug.

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at downtown's Victoria
Park on April 20 .

"This event is being held all over Canada," said organizer Brittni
Mitchell. "It's held on Parliament Hill, in Toronto and Vancouver.

"It's a chance to draw people together, get things going and show the
community that we're not hurting anyone and we're not bad people. How
can you be in a bad mood when you're smoking up?"

Mitchell, a member of the Brantford Cannabis Club, said the group has
notified the city of its intentions.

She said she expects the rally to feature guest speakers, prizes,
music and - at 4:20 p.m. -- a group light up of marijuana.

The time of 4:20 and date of 4/20 have become associated with
marijuana use.

"It's really time for people to reconsider the prohibition on
marijuana," said Mitchell. "Our laws are causing youth to get off on
the wrong foot after being arrested and put in jail because of
something so small. And people have no idea how many people they know
are using it - doctors, lawyers and all sorts of people you come into
contact with."

Mitchell added that there's a misconception that marijuana use makes
someone a bad person. She likened marijuana use to someone coming home
and having a beer after work.

A Facebook group about the event indicates there are 35-45 people
planning to attend so far.

But Mitchell says it's hard to predict how many people will be at the
park in April.

"Lots of people say they're going to go but back out because they have
this fear about how others will react."

She said the event will be a positive one and is likely to benefit the
area restaurants.

Along with Mitchell, the event is being hosted by Mikie Dinsmore. It's
co-sponsored by Bob Erb of British Columbia, a $25-million dollar
lottery winner who is using his funds to push for marijuana's
decriminalization.

For more information, go to the Facebook event at www.bit.ly/JI3O54 . 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D