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With the federal Liberals blazing forward with plans to legalize marijuana, pot advocates gathered in droves Wednesday for the annual 4-20 rally at Parliament Hill.
At previous rallies, when the Conservative government was in power, members of the pro-cannabis movement had used the 4-20 event as a platform to voice displeasure with Canada’s marijuana laws. However this year’s rally took a more relaxed tone. Instead of protestors waiving placards there were clusters of people sitting on the front lawn, quietly using bongs and smoking joints in the name of solidarity.
And with the end nigh for illegal marijuana, some at this year’s event believe 4-20 rallies will cease to exist.
“Apparently this is going to be the last 4-20 since (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau is apparently going to announce the legalization from what I heard,” said Lyndsay MacDonald, 23, who admitted that the day was more about the “opportunity to smoke on Parliament Hill” without consequence.
As the 4-20 supporters, who numbered in the hundreds, went about their business, tourists visiting Parliament took in the sights, and some saw more than they expected.
“I’m seeing big bags of weed and bongs and I’m thinking what is going on?” said New York City tourist Lena Mirchandani, 56, who was in Ottawa to see family and take a tour. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. I am just blown away. I’m from New York City, you can’t smoke weed on the streets of New York, you’d be arrested.”
Meanwhile Canada’s Health Minister Jane Philpott was in New York City Wednesday to announce that the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana will be introduced next spring. She made the announcement at the United Nations where she is leading the Canadian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly special session on drugs.
Angela Douglas, 56, has been coming to 4-20 rallies for six years. She said Philpott’s announcement is a step in the right direction but she’ll believe it when she sees it.
“We voted last year for change now, not two or three years from now,” said Douglas, holding a banner that read ‘It’s time for peace. Legalize.’
“It will (happen) but it’s not going to be as quick as they said it would. It will take a long time,” she said.
Russell Barth, a longtime marijuana activist, echoed those thoughts and questioned why the government needs to prolong what can be changed now, suggesting immediate decriminalization.
“(The federal government) could sign a paper today removing marijuana from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and end the arrests immediately,” he said.
Those who oppose legalization saw Wednesday as a dark day. Pam McColl from SAM Canada, the Canadian chapter of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said the move to table a bill to legalize marijuana by next spring is disappointing.
“We are greatly disappointed that Canada used its precious time on the global stage to promote the legalization – and thus commercialization – of cannabis,” said McColl, who is at the UN conference this week. “This statement sent a powerful message from our government that profits come ahead of public health.”
While the Liberals are basing the push to legalization on harm reduction, 4/20 supporter Calvin Major, 17, is not confident new laws will keep marijuana out of the hands of young people.
“People who like to smoke will smoke no matter what, whether change is coming or not.”
pmccooey@postmedia.com
Chase Belland, Taylor Malette, Colton Higgins and Trina Kelly join the crowd as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A number of marijuana flags were present as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A group promoting Dessertfest later this year at Lansdowne Park were out to have fun as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many people took part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Austin Kombargi takes a hit off his bong at 4:20pm as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill with more than a couple thousand taking part.
The hill was covered in purple haze at 4:20pm as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Police officers keep watch as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Leah Graham enjoys a Dorito chip as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A bong sits on the lawn as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Dawson Lowe with her unique toque as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill with more than a couple thousand taking part. (WAYNE CUDDINGTON) Assignment – 123462
Colton Higgins and Trina Kelly smoke a joint as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Darby Oster (R) and Daniel Ashenden smoke with a bong as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Stanley Duhaime takes a hit off his massive joint as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Sydney Moser and Chenisse Ouellette (R) join the crowd as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Someone wore a gumby costume as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Kity Horsley exhales as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Kity Horsley draws on a water pipe while Kate Vanburen shields it from the wind as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Darby Oster (R) and Daniel Ashenden smoke with a bong as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
查看原文...
At previous rallies, when the Conservative government was in power, members of the pro-cannabis movement had used the 4-20 event as a platform to voice displeasure with Canada’s marijuana laws. However this year’s rally took a more relaxed tone. Instead of protestors waiving placards there were clusters of people sitting on the front lawn, quietly using bongs and smoking joints in the name of solidarity.
And with the end nigh for illegal marijuana, some at this year’s event believe 4-20 rallies will cease to exist.
“Apparently this is going to be the last 4-20 since (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau is apparently going to announce the legalization from what I heard,” said Lyndsay MacDonald, 23, who admitted that the day was more about the “opportunity to smoke on Parliament Hill” without consequence.
As the 4-20 supporters, who numbered in the hundreds, went about their business, tourists visiting Parliament took in the sights, and some saw more than they expected.
“I’m seeing big bags of weed and bongs and I’m thinking what is going on?” said New York City tourist Lena Mirchandani, 56, who was in Ottawa to see family and take a tour. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. I am just blown away. I’m from New York City, you can’t smoke weed on the streets of New York, you’d be arrested.”
Meanwhile Canada’s Health Minister Jane Philpott was in New York City Wednesday to announce that the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana will be introduced next spring. She made the announcement at the United Nations where she is leading the Canadian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly special session on drugs.
Angela Douglas, 56, has been coming to 4-20 rallies for six years. She said Philpott’s announcement is a step in the right direction but she’ll believe it when she sees it.
“We voted last year for change now, not two or three years from now,” said Douglas, holding a banner that read ‘It’s time for peace. Legalize.’
“It will (happen) but it’s not going to be as quick as they said it would. It will take a long time,” she said.
Russell Barth, a longtime marijuana activist, echoed those thoughts and questioned why the government needs to prolong what can be changed now, suggesting immediate decriminalization.
“(The federal government) could sign a paper today removing marijuana from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and end the arrests immediately,” he said.
Those who oppose legalization saw Wednesday as a dark day. Pam McColl from SAM Canada, the Canadian chapter of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said the move to table a bill to legalize marijuana by next spring is disappointing.
“We are greatly disappointed that Canada used its precious time on the global stage to promote the legalization – and thus commercialization – of cannabis,” said McColl, who is at the UN conference this week. “This statement sent a powerful message from our government that profits come ahead of public health.”
While the Liberals are basing the push to legalization on harm reduction, 4/20 supporter Calvin Major, 17, is not confident new laws will keep marijuana out of the hands of young people.
“People who like to smoke will smoke no matter what, whether change is coming or not.”
pmccooey@postmedia.com
Chase Belland, Taylor Malette, Colton Higgins and Trina Kelly join the crowd as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A number of marijuana flags were present as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A group promoting Dessertfest later this year at Lansdowne Park were out to have fun as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many people took part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Austin Kombargi takes a hit off his bong at 4:20pm as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill with more than a couple thousand taking part.
The hill was covered in purple haze at 4:20pm as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Police officers keep watch as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Many different people take part as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Leah Graham enjoys a Dorito chip as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
A bong sits on the lawn as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Dawson Lowe with her unique toque as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill with more than a couple thousand taking part. (WAYNE CUDDINGTON) Assignment – 123462
Colton Higgins and Trina Kelly smoke a joint as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Darby Oster (R) and Daniel Ashenden smoke with a bong as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Stanley Duhaime takes a hit off his massive joint as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Sydney Moser and Chenisse Ouellette (R) join the crowd as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Someone wore a gumby costume as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Kity Horsley exhales as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Kity Horsley draws on a water pipe while Kate Vanburen shields it from the wind as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
Darby Oster (R) and Daniel Ashenden smoke with a bong as the annual marijuana smoke-up took place on Parliament Hill.
查看原文...
