Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Cary Mills
Page: B1
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

15,000 AT PRO-POT RALLY, SAY ORGANIZERS

Clock Strikes 4:20 And Smoke Fills Air on Parliament Hill

Thousands of people were on Parliament Hill to smoke a joint or 
otherwise support legalizing marijuana in Canada on Sunday.

Organizers estimate there was a crowd of at least 15,000 people at 
the height of the event, when 4:20 p.m. struck and smoke filled the air.

Young to old people gathered from noon until 5 p.m., when there was 
music and commentary by Precious Chong, daughter of actor and 
marijuana activist Tommy Chong.

First-time attendee Larry Boissonneault, 58, had an an iced beverage 
in hand instead of a joint.

He said he gave up smoking regularly a few years ago but wanted to 
show support for legalization.

"I think it should be legalized - it's as simple as that. There's 
nothing wrong with it," he said.

Sunday's was a record crowd, organizers said. The estimate in 2013 
was 10,000 and 5,000 the year before.

Organizer Claude Galipeau attributed the increase to cooperative 
weather, a "growing momentum" and the long weekend.

"It seems that everything is just lining up nicely in favour of 
cannabis reform," he said.

He said he disagrees with Conservative changes to medical marijuana 
policy, which prohibits users growing themselves and requires 
purchase from licensed facilities. Recent musings about potentially 
allowing police to write tickets for simple possession instead of 
laying criminal charges would also make for a "bad system," Galipeau said.

"The whole system will not work until prohibition is repealed," he said.

Legalization in Colorado and Washington is encouraging recreational 
pot use, he said.

But some attendees this year just wanted to have fun on April 20, 
known as 4/20, a code referring to marijuana.

Emily Howat, 19, was back for her second year. This time she wore 
bunny ears to mark the Easter weekend and brought a friend along.

She said the event wasn't about politics for her. "It's a cool 
experience,"said Howat. "A lot of people probably wouldn't get along otherwise."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom