Pubdate: Tue, 21 Apr 2015
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Chris Herhalt
Page: B1

DEMONSTRATORS HOPE SOFTENED STANCE ON MARIJUANA LEADS TO LEGALIZATION

KITCHENER - It's getting harder to justify any law criminalizing
marijuana use given successful legalization efforts in certain U.S.
states and private medical growers operating in Canada, demonstrators
at a Kitchener 4/20 demonstration said Monday.

"It should be like any other healthcare product," organizer Jeff
Morrison said. "Most people agree now that we do need steps (to
legalize marijuana)."

At about 4:20 p.m. on Monday afternoon, about 100 people could be seen
sitting around a corner of Kitchener's Carl Zehr Square. Some smoked
hand-rolled joints. Others carried flags and other items with
marijuana leaves on them.

Morrison said city bylaw enforcement and Waterloo Regional Police
quickly lost interest in the actions of demonstrators. "I hope most
people here will share this story with their friends and family.
Nobody got hurt and there were no problems. The police came by when we
first started but they didn't really give us any trouble."

Morrison belongs to the Kitchener Cannabis Club, a group that meets
once a month to organize events promoting the legalization of
marijuana and to help their members secure a prescription for cannabis.

Mike Horsepool said he can sense a change in how most people respond
when they see marijuana being used, and police seem to be more
concerned with other issues.

"I think if a police officer saw me smoking (marijuana) and another
person jaywalking, they'd go after the jaywalker."

He said Canada is "no longer a hostile environment" to casual
marijuana use. The U.S. states of Oregon, Alaska, Washington and
Colorado have legalized the recreational use of small amounts of
marijuana. Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has promised to
legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Canada. "I'll vote for
that," Horsepool said.

Andrew Birtch of Cambridge remembers when he was prescribed opiates as
a 19-year-old to manage pain caused by a serious back injury.

"Pharmaceuticals ruined my life, but cannabis saved my
life."

He uses edible cannabis capsules or concentrate mixed in other food to
manage his pain today, and encourages others to consider cannabis
instead of other painkillers whenever possible.

"It helps with pain, it helps with appetite, muscle spasms, mood. It
puts you in the state of mind where you can deal with (pain)."

Morrison said he's convinced legalization of the plant will happen in
Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Matt