ROWDY DRUNKS RUIN PEACEFUL POT PARTIES

VICTORIA - Young, drunken rowdies disrupting peaceful pot smokers have
killed the tradition of weekly marijuana rallies.

Ted Smith's Wednesday smoke-ins have been part of Victoria culture for
12 years. The last one was held Wednesday on the steps of the Ministry
of Health building.

"Drunken kids have ruined it," said Smith, a marijuana crusader and
founder of the Cannabis Buyers Club. "If we are going to hold a pot
rally it has to be safe."

Two weeks ago Smith got his hand smashed against a wall after
intervening when one drunk kid took a punch at another. Smith said the
aggressive behaviour illustrates the difference between alcohol and
marijuana.