PEACEFUL POT SMOKING CROWD PREFERABLE TO VIOLENT DRUNKS

Though Saskatoon did not have its own event on April 20 to celebrate
cannabis use and protest its illegality, several such events held
across Canada draw an interesting comparison to other celebrations
because of the size of the crowds and their conduct.

Vancouver, where more than 10,000 individuals participated in one
gathering, was a good example.

Police attended at the request of organizers to stave off fears of
outside disruption, and the atmosphere was positive. Not a single
arrest was made at this or similar cannabis events throughout the
nation. There were no instances of violence or any property damage.

Contrast these peaceful gatherings with police cars being burned in
Montreal after the Montreal Canadiens' winning game on April 21.

Perhaps we could draw a contrast between the massive crowd gathered
in Vancouver for peaceful assembly (while smoking pot) with the
patrons of Fubar Nightclub in Waterloo, Ont. This establishment is
facing the prospect of losing its liquor licence for the second time
this year, as a result of large scale violent fights.

It is clear that pot smokers are peaceful, harmless individuals whom
we have no reason to fear. If they can smoke cannabis in such large
groups without any violence, why cannot we allow them to use this
stuff in their homes? Isn't it time we stopped jailing people for
being part of a market that is so obviously much less harmful than
the markets that exist today for legal drugs?

Ethan Erkiletian

Saskatoon