TOKING UP IN STEELTOWN

Cannabis Activists Light Up At City Hall 'Pot-In'

HAMILTON -- Steeltown turned into Hamiltoke yesterday as cannabis
connoisseurs descended on the steps of city hall for a "pot-in."

With scores of police keeping a watchful eye, at least 400 pot
enthusiasts openly lit up during the afternoon rally to call for the
legalization of marijuana.

Alison Myrden, 42, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for 30
years, said she needs a daily dose of marijuana to control chronic pain.

"It feels like lightning hitting your face. Just imagine an
excruciating toothache that lasts 24 hours," Myrden said.

Myrden said she was a former corrections officer before the disease
incapacitated her, preventing her from even walking short distances.

She is one of the first 20 people in Canada to be licensed to use
marijuana as a medicinal remedy, she said.

"I used to have to take 32 pills a day plus morphine to control my
pain," she said.

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She now heads LEAP -- law enforcement against prohibition -- in a bid
to help decriminalize marijuana use.

As the pot-in wound its way along King St. E. to the front steps of
city hall, organizers handed out more than half a kilo of pot plus
500 free joints.

Marchers prepared to "blaze up" at 4:20 p.m. The day is known as
4/20, which promoters have adopted to proclaim the benefits of marijuana.

Organizer Chris Goodwin, owner of the Up in Smoke Cafe, said he was
happy with the turnout, double last year's.

"It is very successful. An achievement in civil disobedience and in
that people were willing to get arrested," Goodwin said.

Goodwin said his goal was to show Hamilton Police that those smoking
pot are a peaceful group and that cops should place pot possession on
their low end of priorities.

Police were ordered to simply keep watch as long as the demonstration
was peaceful.

A global marijuana event will run May 4-10 in Toronto with the main
event set for May 6 at Queen's Park, co-ordinator Tracy Curley said.

A "4/20 magic bus tour" is scheduled for this weekend in Niagara Falls.