THOUSANDS CELEBRATE LOVE OF EARTH, WEED

Security guards and police officers watched on the sidelines as the
Manitoba Legislative Building grounds went up in smoke on Sunday.

The grass didn't catch fire but thousands of people lit up marijuana
joints or fired up their bongs to protest the criminalization of the drug.

"We're standing up for smoking weed," said Anthony Roncin, 24, who
was smoking pot using a gas mask and a blow torch. "It's sociable and
it brings people together."

Every year at the same time, druggies and human rights activists
alike join together to protest. Some came to demonstrate for the
decriminalization of marijuana while others showed up just to be able
to smoke pot in public.

"It's so cool that we're doing this," said R.J Norman, 18, who was
smoking pot with his friends using a bong almost as tall as he is. "I
don't think we bought enough."

He also thinks marijuana should be legal for everyone, he said.

"We should have the right to smoke weed because it's relaxing,"
Norman said before deeply inhaling pot.

Just before 4:20 p.m. Winnipeggers counted down the seconds before
they all smoked weed in unison.

A loud roar of rejoice at exactly 4:20 p.m. was followed by the smell
of pot that overwhelmed the Legislative Building grounds. Green
fireworks were set off in the air to kick off the post smoking event.

Jazzmin Paquette, 20, came to the protest accessorized in a green lay
to represent marijuana.

"Cigarettes are legal, but they have like 46,000 chemicals in them,"
Paquette said after smoking weed at 4:20 p.m. "People out there who
have cancer, the only thing they can do to keep their appetite up is
to smoke weed."

Hotdog stands and ice cream vendors lined the sidewalk on Broadway in
front of the legislature to catch the pot smokers when the munchies kicked in.

The protest ended pretty quickly but some smokers hung around to help
clean up garbage left behind, acknowledging Earth Day.

Earth Day, also celebrated on Sunday, was held at FortWhyte Alive.
Events included promoting a "carbon-lite" lifestyle by lowering
carbon emissions, becoming a green commuter, as well as many
activities for children and adults.