POLICE WILL BE OUT IN FORCE AT HEMPFEST

The Cannabis Festival Runs Through Sunday in Ophir

A police traffic checkpoint aims to smoke out any possible problems
during Hempfest.

The ninth annual cannabis festival runs through Sunday in Ophir about
30 kilometres north of Bruce Mines.

Ontario Provincial Police started checking vehicles on Poplar Dale
Road Thursday afternoon. Motorists will be stopped through the weekend.

"I would say we're more visible this year," said Const. Marilyn
Cameron of the East Algoma detachment in Thessalon.

Police are checking for "basically everything" including traffic
infractions and drug use, .

"We want to curtail the drug and alcohol activity," said
Cameron.

Several drug-related and "multiple" Highway Traffic Act charges were
handed out Thursday.

A four-day tally of charges will be released Monday.

Marc Boris St-Maurice, then leader of the Marijuana Party, was
arrested during Hempfest in Aberdeen Township in 2000. He was charged
with possession of marijuana.