Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Source: Metro (Ottawa, CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Metro
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Ottawa
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4032
Author: Drew May
Page: A1
Referenced: Cannabis Act: http://mapinc.org/url/Kd46SXou

4-20 NEEDED MORE THAN EVER: ACTIVISTS

Weed community isn't fully behind legalization plans

With marijuana legalization tabled - and ahead of April 20, as
promised by the governing Liberals - some Ottawa activists say they
aren't confident the new laws will reflect the concerns of the
cannabis community.

Mike Foster, owner of Crosstown Traffic, a sponsor of Ottawa's 4-20
event, said there will be mixed emotions at the April 20 event on
Parliament Hill.

"Some people are going to be celebrating this, what they perceive as a
newfound liberation," Foster said. "Anyone who actually reads the
whole document is going to realize there's not much there to celebrate."

Foster said he takes issue with the criminal punishments in the
marijuana legalization bill. The proposed law says people can legally
have up to 30 grams in public and grow up to four plants. He said the
punishment for having more - the proposed calls for up to five years
in jail - is too harsh.

"It doesn't look like anything to celebrate," he said. "Maybe the 420
is needed again more than ever as a protest."

Russell Barth, the event co-ordinator for 420 Ottawa 2017, said the
local cannabis community has become more cynical since the government
tabled legislation to legalize marijuana. He said he is also concerned
about the punishments in legislation.

"We said, 'OK, we'll give them a chance' to see what their legislation
is and then we're handed this turd pie."

Barth said the Ottawa 4-20 event is the "tip of the spear" because of
its location on Parliament Hill.
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MAP posted-by: Matt