POT USERS LIGHT UP OUTSIDE LEGISLATURE

Part Of Annual Call To Legalize Marijuana

MORE than 500 pot smokers spent yesterday afternoon smoking joints and
lounging on the Legislative Building grounds as part of an annual call
for the legalization of marijuana.

The large group -- at least 200 more than turned out last year -- was
made up mostly of teenagers and young adults.

They spent the warm, sunny day lying on the front lawn of the
Legislative Building under a cloud of sweet, musky smelling smoke.

Some played music, others tossed footballs on the grass. Many lined up
at hotdog vendors who showed up to take advantage of the large crowd.

Bill Tobias, 32, arrived early and set up shop beneath a statue in the
front flower garden.

"This is the second year I've come here," he said, pulling on a pipe
filled with pot. "I believe it should be legalized." Similar rallies
were expected to take place around North America yesterday as pot
smokers celebrated what they call "4-20."

It is believed pot smokers rally on the 20th day of the fourth month
in recognition of the California police call numbers for a drug offence.

April 20 has become the day pot smokers use to celebrate "the weed"
and protest against the fact that marijuana remains illegal in Canada
and the United States.

Tobias said pot is an excellent painkiller and it allows users to
become "extremely creative" when they're high.

He said he doesn't believe the drug poses any danger to its users or
society as a whole.

Walter Lesley, who goes by the nickname Big Red, said he's been
fighting for 30 years for the legalization of marijuana. "We have seen
some improvements, but I want to see it legalized completely," he
said. "We need to take it out of the Criminal Code."

Many of those who attended yesterday's rally were high school students
using the event to take a day off school.

"It's better than being in class," said one young woman who did not
give her name. "Lying in the sun, getting high and hanging out with
other people. What could be better than that?"

Winnipeg Police Patrol Sgt. Kelly Dennison said police were on hand to
ensure the rally did not get out of control.

Indeed, a half-dozen squad cars and a number of police vans and trucks
were stationed at the back of the Legislative Building, but police
stayed back and allowed the revellers to enjoy their afternoon. No
arrests were reported.

Inside the Legislative Building, Premier Gary Doer said he wasn't
aware of the large rally going on outside, but he said the smokers
should be arrested.