POT-POURI GATHERS AT CANNABIS CARNIVAL

KITCHENER, Ont. (CP) - A "cannabis carnival" this weekend brought together
a motley crew of those seriously committed to changing Canada's marijuana
laws and those who came because it was something fun to do for a few hours.

The carnival, billed as the first for this southern Ontario city, gathered
about 125 mainly young people who passed around marijuana joints-some
openly, some discreetly.

There was only one arrest.

A 20-year-old man was charged with possession of a narcotic when police
initially thought he might have been selling marijuana to some teenagers
but concluded they couldn't prove it.

About half a dozen Waterloo regional police watched the action Saturday,
intervening only to make the arrest and to warn two members of the Church
of the Universe, Walter Tucker and Michael Baldasaro, when they lit up and
passed around a joint.

The colorful duo, who believe marijuana is a sacrament, both exhorted the
gathering to do what they could to vote out politicians who don't support
repeal of marijuana laws.

Baldasaro is one of 15 men who have said they will run for the federal Tory
leadership.

Tucker evoked a roar of laughter when he pointed to Baldasaro, saying it
was encouraging to see him running for office because "I know he has inhaled."

Speakers generally assailed the current laws prohibiting marijuana use and
called for their repeal, or at the very least, modification to make it
unconditionally available for medicinal use.

The afternoon got off to a noisy beginning when Erika Kubassek, known in
the area for expressing her views on morality on issues such as women
walking around topless, began confronting the marijuana devotees using a
bullhorn.

Police stood close by just in case any members of the crowd around Kubassek
did more than jeer, taunt and outshout her as she was trying to persuade
them they were treading the wrong paths.

(Kitchener-Waterloo Record) c The Canadian Press, 1998

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski