Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Page: 4
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Trevor Robb

POT EVENT BLUNTED BY RAIN

Annual Marijuana Celebration Battles Weather, Permit
Issues

No amount of Mother Nature can snuff out the enthusiasm of local pot
smokers.

Hundreds of peaceful Edmonton pot smokers occupied the Alberta
Legislature grounds on Sunday for the 2014 4-20 Rally - Alberta's
largest pro-cannabis gathering.

The event - which saw close to 8,000 people attend in 2012 - was
temporarily hijacked by a flash rain storm which forced attendees to
take cover under the tress, seemingly taking the wind out of the sails
of the event. But as the clouds moved out, the crowd came tumbling in
and the number of attendees swelled to just under 1,000.

Looking at the sea of people - smoke clouds billowing into the air,
footballs and Frisbees flying around and hacky-sack cycles abound -
the scene could commonly be mistaken for a music festival.

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) members and Alberta Sheriffs could be
seen patrolling the perimeter on bikes and on foot, and occasionally
mingling with protestors.

While the gathering was more of a celebration - think St. Paddy's Day
but for pot users - than a formal info-session, politics were still on
the minds of those in attendance.

For organizers, the event is very much social issue.

"The majority of the people here are here for a celebration but it is
a peaceful protest - we are protesting by breaking the law peacefully
- - and showing that there is really nothing wrong with it (cannabis),"
said local hip-hop musician and event co-organizer, Komrade of
Brothers Grim.

"Ultimately it comes down to bringing attention to policy that people
just don't support - people don't support prohibition," said Sonik,
another event co-organizer and hip hop musician.

"They saw what it was like with alcohol and they see what it's like
with cannabis and they understand that the similarities are not an
accident."

Past events were organized through the Edmonton 4-20 Community. But
organizers say efforts on behalf of the city and police have hampered
their ability to organize the event - citing issues with obtaining
permits for stereo and PA equipment, and food permits.

Last year, organizers spent money on radio advertisements, sound
systems and food venders. But Komrade says the city refused to grant
them permits, which caused speakers they had lined up to attend the
event from Calgary to cancel.

Organizers were also upset that for the second straight year the
bandshell auditorium was fenced off, which was historically used as
stage for organizers to broadcast their message from.

"They don't want us up there amplifying our voice because once we get
up there we can start our chants and start talking to the people,"
said Komrade. "When you cannot talk to this many people then it's just
a celebration, there's no organization.

"It kind of makes us just look like we're just sitting around - like
potheads."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D