CANABIAN DAY

Happy Canabian Day.

Activists behind the third annual Canabian Day festival, scheduled for
this afternoon at Queen's Park, expect about 1,000 marijuana
supporters to show up for music and a list of speakers that includes
broadcaster and former cannabis trafficker Robert (Rosie) Rowbotham.

Organizer Marko Ivancicevic, 23, says he hopes the event will send a
message to Ottawa that proposed changes to marijuana laws to
decriminalize possession of small amounts don't go far enough.

And despite not having a city permit for the event -- organizers say
they could not afford the $5,000 insurance -- Mr. Ivancicevic says he
hopes to avoid trouble from the police.

To celebrate Canabian Day, a statistical snapshot of the state of
cannabis:

Percentage of Canadians 15 and older who admit having tried cannabis
at least once in their lives: 41.3

Percentage in 2002 admitting use of cannabis in the previous year:
12.2

Percentage in 1989: 6.5

Percentage of 15- to 17-year-olds who admitted using cannabis in 2002:
29

Of 25- to 34-year-olds: 18

Of 55- to 65-year-olds: 2

Percentage of Canadians 15 and older who used cannabis every day:
1.1

At least once a week: 3.9

At least once a month: 6

Only province where cannabis use was not higher in 2002 than in 1994:
Manitoba

Province with biggest increase: Nova Scotia, to 14 per cent from 8 per
cent

Number of illegal grow operations in Ontario, according to police
estimates: 15,000

Typical annual revenue from one grow-op: $600,000

Estimated revenue generated from 2000 to 2003 by Ontario grow houses:
$12.7-billion

Cost of dismantling Ontario grow-ops in 2002: $12.6-million

Sources: Health Canada Office of Cannabis Access, Ontario Association of
Chiefs of Police, Statistics Canada, RCMP