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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D