IS POT PLANT FLAG CAUSING A PROBLEM?

A Faux Canadian Flag On Main Street Is Causing A Big Flap.

At a committee of the whole meeting Monday, Mayor Hugh Mackenzie asked Town
staff to find out if there are bylaws that prohibit or discourage
displaying the 'Oh Cannabis' flag, which hangs in the front window of
Parties and Affairs.

Shop owner Sue Redfearn is angry that Mackenzie raised the issue at
committee before discussing his concerns with her.

"I did not hear one word about this [before it was discussed at committee]
and I find that appalling," Redfearn told the Forester.

The controversial flag looks similar to Canada's national flag but where
the red maple leaf should be there is instead the image of a marijuana
plant. The flag has been displayed in the front window of Redfearn's adult
shop Parties and Affairs for four years.

"They are only now waking up to it? That cracks me up," she said.

The controversy began when Huntsville mayor Hugh Mackenzie told a meeting
of the committee of the whole Monday that he had received complaints from
residents about the flag.

"I imagine that I will be accused of being a little difficult in this
matter," Mackenzie told committee. "While one can see the amusing part [of
the flag], I think the serious part is that, first of all, it is the
Canadian flag. Secondly, we've had people who fought and died for our
country under that flag. Thirdly, the flag is displayed in a place where
many young people can see it."

Mackenzie added that some of those who expressed concerns are veterans. He
then asked Town CAO Walt Schmid to find out if there are any bylaws that
will allow the Town to "discourage that kind of disregard, in my opinion,
for our flag."

The mayor also said the flag supports a drug culture which he hoped was not
a part of the culture of the Town.

When reached for comment by the Forester, Redfearn said she had heard no
concerns from Town staff or from the mayor about the flag.

"We are deeply disappointed that neither the mayor nor a Town
representative had the courtesy to contact us with regards to this matter
and we had to hear it in a late-day call from the Forester," Redfearn said
in a statement.

"Until we hear directly from the Town about the matter with more
information and until we are able to speak with our legal council, the flag
will remain in our window as a symbol of freedom of expression and pride,"
she said.

Redfearn said that Parties and Affairs has received a total of two
complaints in the four years that the flag has adorned the front window,
first at its previous location and now in its new location at 64 Main
Street East. In response to those complaints, Redfearn released a letter
explaining the purpose of the 'Oh Cannabis' flag and posted it the front
window. The opening of the letter reads:

"You may think that by replacing the maple leaf with a cannabis leaf that
this is somehow defacing the national flag. We beg to differ. This is not
done as an affront to the Canadian flag. Quite the contrary, this version
of the flag represents the rights that each and every Canadian should be
extremely proud to have. Canada is one of the few countries that allows,
albeit restricted, medical marijuana use. Because of this, many cancer, MS,
tinnitus, fibromyalgia and glaucoma patients and those suffering chronic
pain due to any host of medical reasons are able to safely ease their own
pain and suffering."

Redfearn told the Forester that, should her legal council advise her that
the 'Oh Cannabis' flag violates any laws, she will remove it.