Pubdate: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Joel OpHardt Page: A8 MARIJUANA-SMOKING MARCHERS RALLY AT CITY HALL It's 420 =C2=85 time to smoke and protest country's pot laws Clouds covered both sky and ground at City Hall as hundreds turned out for Hamilton's 420 pot rally. A cold and wet Monday didn't stop supporters of legalization from voicing their displeasure with federal marijuana legislation. "We should be able to grow it like tomatoes," said Peter Melanson, organizer of the event and frontman for the Melanheadz Vape Lounge on York Boulevard. "I don't want anyone to go to jail for it - it's not hurting anybody." The term "420" reportedly stems from a code word a group of California teens used to signify the time they would meet to smoke up after the school day ended. Now the 20th day of the fourth month of each year (April 20) is recognized internationally as a time to hold pro-pot rallies. Hamilton's rally started with a march from the Melanheadz lounge on York, with participants arriving at City Hall around 1 p.m. By that time the crowd had grown to about 200 people, with more expected to arrive before the 4:20 p.m. pinnacle, at which point Melanson said he would be giving away 710 joints to the crowd. By 3 p.m., there was no obvious police presence at the event. David Breitwieser, an 18-year-old Hamiltonian and first-timer at the event, said he was for decriminalization, but recognized that the drug may not be for everyone. "My girlfriend has schizophrenia, so the last thing I would want to do is give her weed," he said, adding that he chooses to use cannabis instead of other drugs like alcohol, which he sees as more damaging. Others cited that legalization would lead to better regulation and control of the substance. "They're wasting our tax dollars policing it, when they could be making money legalizing it," said 48-year-old David Reid, also from Hamilton. Under federal law, it's illegal to grow, process or consume marijuana and its products for so-called recreational use in Canada. However, doctors can prescribe it for medicinal use and the federal government is allowing companies to grow it for registered patients. Andre Gagnon, a spokesperson for Health Canada, said that Health Canada does not approve of marijuana consumption, but that courts have "required reasonable access" when prescribed. Hamilton police could not be reached for comment. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt