POTHEADS LIGHT UP FOR ANNUAL '4/20' SMOKE-IN

They came together by the hundreds to spark up some happiness.

More than 1,200 supporters of marijuana use descended on the Manitoba
Legislature yesterday to promote pot as part of the annual "4/20"
international celebration of the illegal drug.

Participants -- many in their late teens to late 20s -- sat or stood
on the grass while laughing and chatting in a sort of rebellious
outdoor social.

Some smoked the drug while others strummed guitars. Justin Ducharme,
27, said the event is about more than marijuana and efforts to make
its use legal in Canada.

"What people are trying to do is just make a statement that there is
nothing wrong with it, and that no harm has come from smoking
marijuana or having anything to do with any kind of marijuana use at
all," he said. "We're just trying to say we're good people."

Goodwill appeared plentiful as several city police officers and
legislature security kept watch.

"There are no problems yet," said security officer Kerry Coates while
shooting the celebrants with a video camera. "It's been pretty peaceful."

Jennifer Hohne stood out from the generally alternative-attired crowd
with a life-size cardboard cutout of television faux-political
commentator Stephen Colbert -- with what she called a rolled-up
"giant doobie" taped to its hand.

"He's here because he supports a sensible drug policy," Hohne said,
admittedly tongue-in-cheek, of the cutout.

Hohne said she supports the legalization of pot possessed in small amounts.

Cara Thorleifson, a member of the Young Liberals, was proud that
provincial Grit Leader Jon Gerrard appeared at the event.

"I can't put words in the mouths of all Young Liberals, but I can
speak for myself," he said while circulating a petition in favour of
proposed legislation prohibiting plastic bags from retail outlets.

"I do support a more relaxed and more sensible drug policy."