News (Media Awareness Project) - CN SN: Hemp Mascot Not Welcome in Parade |
Title: | CN SN: Hemp Mascot Not Welcome in Parade |
Published On: | 2004-08-11 |
Source: | StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) |
Fetched On: | 2008-08-22 02:18:37 |
HEMP MASCOT NOT WELCOME IN PARADE
REGINA -- Headly the Hemp Leaf's first Buffalo Days parade appearance
may be his last after the mascot for a Regina hemp products store was
weeded out of the event.
Tim Selenski, owner of Head to Head Novelties, said he followed all
the rules to be in the annual parade, where he was dressed in a
custom-made, bright-green, 3.7-metre-tall outfit that resembles a pot
plant. He said he had the proper permit.
He said he was using the opportunity to advertise his store that sells
hemp products, medicinal marijuana paraphernalia and is an outlet for
the Alberta-based Krieger Foundation, which provides medicinal
marijuana to people with proven medical conditions.
"Four blocks we walked (in the parade) and one of the co-ordinators
asked me, he said 'There are too many complaints, please leave,' "
said Selenski, who was accompanied in the parade by two friends
driving a car with a hemp-leaf flag.
The parade was held Saturday and traditionally contains a variety of
entries from community groups and local businesses, ranging from a
Knights of Columbus float to the Hillybilly Vac Shack mascot.
Selenski believes he was asked to leave because of concern that
marijuana, not hemp, was being promoted by his presence in the parade.
Tom Balkwill, one of the parade marshals, said the mascot's presence
was brought to the organizers' attention by two police officers.
"Our information was that it was not hemp, that it was depicting a
marijuana leaf and we were not in the position to be promoting
marijuana as parade organizers. We made the decision that no, we did
not wish to have that in the parade," said Balkwill, who added the
police officers said they would take care of the situation.
Balkwill explained businesses given permits to take part in the parade
are trusted to stay within the theme of the event, but do not have to
reveal the exact details of their entry. Marshals try to accommodate
any problems that come up during the parade and, if that fails, the
entry will be removed at the next intersection.
While entries were lining up before the parade began, organizers
believed Selenski's entry was merely the vehicle he was driving.
"My understanding was that the vehicle was the parade entry. The
vehicle left at the start of the parade then, all of the sudden, we
have a mascot. One of the marshals in that area asked the mascot . . .
to get back in the car. Being in the car, it didn't appear as if it
was necessarily marijuana," said Balkwill.
Selenski said he left without a fuss and started walking towards his
store in the neighborhood. Almost immediately, Selenski said some
Regina police officers approached him and were "pushy," demanding he
remove the suit before he went any farther, then escorted him back to
his business.
REGINA -- Headly the Hemp Leaf's first Buffalo Days parade appearance
may be his last after the mascot for a Regina hemp products store was
weeded out of the event.
Tim Selenski, owner of Head to Head Novelties, said he followed all
the rules to be in the annual parade, where he was dressed in a
custom-made, bright-green, 3.7-metre-tall outfit that resembles a pot
plant. He said he had the proper permit.
He said he was using the opportunity to advertise his store that sells
hemp products, medicinal marijuana paraphernalia and is an outlet for
the Alberta-based Krieger Foundation, which provides medicinal
marijuana to people with proven medical conditions.
"Four blocks we walked (in the parade) and one of the co-ordinators
asked me, he said 'There are too many complaints, please leave,' "
said Selenski, who was accompanied in the parade by two friends
driving a car with a hemp-leaf flag.
The parade was held Saturday and traditionally contains a variety of
entries from community groups and local businesses, ranging from a
Knights of Columbus float to the Hillybilly Vac Shack mascot.
Selenski believes he was asked to leave because of concern that
marijuana, not hemp, was being promoted by his presence in the parade.
Tom Balkwill, one of the parade marshals, said the mascot's presence
was brought to the organizers' attention by two police officers.
"Our information was that it was not hemp, that it was depicting a
marijuana leaf and we were not in the position to be promoting
marijuana as parade organizers. We made the decision that no, we did
not wish to have that in the parade," said Balkwill, who added the
police officers said they would take care of the situation.
Balkwill explained businesses given permits to take part in the parade
are trusted to stay within the theme of the event, but do not have to
reveal the exact details of their entry. Marshals try to accommodate
any problems that come up during the parade and, if that fails, the
entry will be removed at the next intersection.
While entries were lining up before the parade began, organizers
believed Selenski's entry was merely the vehicle he was driving.
"My understanding was that the vehicle was the parade entry. The
vehicle left at the start of the parade then, all of the sudden, we
have a mascot. One of the marshals in that area asked the mascot . . .
to get back in the car. Being in the car, it didn't appear as if it
was necessarily marijuana," said Balkwill.
Selenski said he left without a fuss and started walking towards his
store in the neighborhood. Almost immediately, Selenski said some
Regina police officers approached him and were "pushy," demanding he
remove the suit before he went any farther, then escorted him back to
his business.
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