POT FANS RALLY IN BIG SMOKE

Thousands Pushing For Legal Weed Peacefully Mark Freedom Festival,
10th Global Marijuana March

Queen's Park may have been soggy from yesterday's rain, but sparks
were flying as thousands spent the day smoking pot just north of the
Legislature.

It was part of the Toronto Freedom Festival and the 10th Global
Marijuana March, with the intent of pushing to legalize marijuana.

"Hey, this is what Woodstock must have been like," said one youth as
he walked by smoking a joint the size of a small cigar. "But I bet
you the music won't be as good."

Bongs and pipes of all sizes and large bags of marijuana were carried
around openly as police presence was limited and kept to the periphery.

Paul Wemple, 17, of Toronto, said he's been at the festival a few
times and loves it.

"You can smell it before you can see it," he said. "It's that
wonderful sickly sweet aroma that we all seem to love."

A small parade travelled peacefully along Bloor St. and east to Yonge
St., south to Wellesley St. then headed back to Queen's Park.

A booth advocating the medical use of marijuana was handing out
literature, but the food trucks were busier.

One man, who gave his name as Nick "from up north," said it was his
first time at the event but said he attended to help push for legalization.

"There's nothing wrong with it," he said. "It's a great way to relax
and have fun. You work all day and come home, roll up a big joint and
everything's okay."

Organizers estimated the crowd at between 15,000 and 20,000, mainly
teenagers and people in their 20s.

The day started dry, but soon the skies opened. Umbrellas and pup
tents popped up and the toking just kept going.

Neev Tapiro, who started the event 10 years ago, said he's proud to
say there's never been an incident of violence or an arrest.

"It's a fun event with but with a serious message. It's to push for
the legalization of marijuana."

He said that legalizing and regulating it would ensure the purity of
the marijuana.

Marc Emery, an outspoken advocate for the legalization of marijuana,
said the crowd didn't reflect the actual users.

"These kids are okay because they don't have anything to lose yet,"
he said in an interview. "But there are a lot of bankers, teachers
and others in responsible jobs who just can't come out here (because
they could face discipline)."