Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Nick Kuhl

LOCAL ACTIVISTS JOIN POT CAUSE

When the clock hit 4:20 p.m. Sunday afternoon, local marijuana
enthusiasts took notice.

As it was April 20, or 4/20 on the calendar, which has become a
counterculture holiday in North America, about 30 local ralliers
gathered outside Lethbridge City Hall to promote their beliefs of
legalizing the drug.

They then began marching through downtown carrying signs such as "Get
Educated, Not Opinionated" and "Keep Calm, Blaze On."

The Lethbridge rally was part of the national "Erb 4 Herb" event
dedicated to longtime cannabis activist Bob Herb, who channelled his
earnings from a B.C. lottery victory towards marijuana
legalization.

For the first time, similar rallies took place from Vancouver to
Halifax, said local organizer Fiona Doherty

"There will be 4/20 events going on, all sponsored by this gentleman,"
said Doherty, who also talked about the importance of voting, "voting
smart," and learning about the different political parties.

"We trying to promote our right to ingest cannabis as medicine and for
recreational use. It's a plant. It's not hurting anybody. We're not
hurting anybody. The laws are wrong. It takes people coming out and
standing up for what they believe to change bad laws," she continued.

"It's only a matter of time before Canada's is legalized. We look to
the south and see how well it's going in states like Colorado and
Washington. It's a lot of money to pull in and money talks. If
politicians are looking around and realizing that other areas are
benefitting financially, paying off their debt and putting money
towards education - there's no reason why we can't do the same."

Municipal, provincial and federal politicians were invited to attend,
as were candidates, to speak about current marijuana laws, as pro-pot
ralliers say 73 per cent of Canadians want the laws changed. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D