POT SMOKERS' CAMPAIGN AIMED AT BOOSTING TOURISM

Police ignore group calling for laid-back summer

Before legislation was introduced to end criminal penalties for the
possession of small amounts of marijuana, many people went to the police
station because they were caught smoking a joint.

Not until yesterday had anyone gone to Toronto Police headquarters because
they wanted to get caught smoking a joint.

But at 4:20 p.m. yesterday, about 50 pro-cannabis activists burned one down
on the sidewalk in front of 40 College St.

Led by the self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot" the group was there to encourage
police to allow a risk-free summer for marijuana smokers.

"With SARS and everything else going on, this is the ideal way to bring
thousands of tourists to the city," said British Columbia's Marc Emery, who
runs a mail-order seed distribution company and owns Internet-based Pot-TV.

After handing out joints to the assembled crowd of toking enthusiasts, Mr.
Emery said Toronto, which has seen tourism plunge because of the outbreak of
severe acute respiratory syndrome that has killed 35 people, could benefit
from a more relaxed attitude toward marijuana, especially now that the
federal government plans to ease its possession laws.

"Marijuana -- that means fun times, parties, a cool city and an enlightened
state of mind," Mr. Emery said. "You want the kinds of tourists who are
laughing, having a good time and eating a whole lot in Toronto restaurants."

Last month, the federal government introduced legislation to end criminal
penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Under the bill, people caught with 15 grams (half an ounce, or enough for
about 15 to 30 joints) or less of cannabis would be fined only, and criminal
penalties would be reduced on those growing up to 25 marijuana plants.

"We have the opportunity to make this the most advanced jurisdiction in the
world," said Mr. Emery, who has been arrested on marijuana charges 10 times.

There was no police presence at the afternoon demonstration and inside
police headquarters there was little interest in the issue.

"It's a non-event as far as we're concerned," said Sergeant Jim Muskat, a
police spokesman.

But the officer manning the duty desk had one piece of advice for the crowd.

"We're just telling people not to inhale."