NO TOKEN PRESENCE

Cops concerned by number of teens at legislature pot party

Cannabis worshippers used to getting high on legislature grass may have to
find a new home for their yearly pot party.

Edmonton cops, disgusted by the sight and smell of stoned teens at
yesterday's annual reefer madness on the lawn of Alberta's seat of power,
will recommend Hempstalk's annual home base go up in smoke.

"Our liquor laws don't allow anyone under 18 to drink in public but here,
we're noticing a lot of teens doing illegal drugs and I don't have the
resources to do anything about it without starting a riot," Sgt. Garet Bonn
said.

"We'll tell the province a large group of youngsters appear to be
partaking," Bonn said from the site of Hempstalk '98.

"Quite possibly, (bureaucrats) may not be so willing to allow this event on
their property next year."

For three years, pot backers and users have flocked to the legislature band
shell to hear speakers rail against anti-pot laws as punitive and
hypocritical, given that harmful cigarettes and booze are legal and generate
billions in tax revenue.

Cops - who typically turn a blind eye at these rallies - got tough with two
kids caught smoking weed just outside an informal non-enforcement zone.

The duo was served with what Bonn would only describe as "court documents"
related to pot possession - but not before a swarm of angry tokers
surrounded the arresting bicycle officers and the handcuffed pair.

"The whole crowd took exception to us dealing with two people smoking
marijuana. They wanted us to let them go. It got quite tense for a few
minutes," Bonn said.

Hempstalk '98 organizer Troy Stewart, who owns the True North Hemp Co.
clothing store at 10760 Whyte Ave., blamed overzealous cops for the fracas.

"This isn't a protest or a rally. It's a festival," Stewart said.

Some 250 people took in what Stewart dubbed "a celebration" of the cannabis
plant, a day-long bash that included a joint-rolling competition and a
pro-pot speech by Saskatchewan multiple sclerosis patient Grant Krieger.

Krieger has been in court several times on trafficking charges for buying
the only item he claims curbs the disease's debilitating effects.

"We want people to come here, smoke a little herb and have a good time,"
said Stewart, who is also a director of the Cannabis Relegalization Society
of Alberta.

Welder and tattoo artist Bill Schmidt celebrated his 27th birthday by
getting high and chortling that for one day, at least, cops weren't going to
bust peaceful dope-smokers.

"It's great to come out, smoke some pot in the fresh air and not get (grief)
for it," Schmidt said after lighting up.

Checked-by: Don Beck