ONE TOKE FOR MANKIND, ONE LEAP FOR POT SMOKERS

Marijuana supporters, 100-strong, converged outside Sudbury police
headquarters Thursday afternoon to listen to the charismatic Marc Emery,
Canada's champion of legalizing marijuana.

Pro cannabis flags on makeshift wooden poles waved high in the sky. Drums
beat in the background. Voices shouted loudly. Car horns honked repeatedly
from the streets.

"We're not criminals and we're not animals," said Emery "We're proud
Canadians and we're human beings."

Emery was in town as part of his nation-wide summer of legalization
smoke-out tour. He has been arrested in some places, but continues to fight
for what he believes in.

"Marijuana is a lifestyle and the criminal prohibition of marijuana has
created terrible problems," said Emery.

"Last year, 50,000 people in Canada were arrested for a marijuana offence,
even though it's legal. It shows a very bigoted and deeply held prejudice on
behalf of the police and the political establishment to keep criminalizing
the marijuana people. It's wrong and I will not accept it."

As promised, Emery lit up his "cannon" at 4:20 pm in front of police
headquarters on Brady Street.

"It's hardly going and I am already buzzed," Emery proclaimed proudly.

Emery then passed the massive doobie around the crowd, encouraging all to
take a puff off it.

Countless support joints were lit up throughout the massive crowd. Within
moments, cheering and shouting had been replaced by coughing and laughing.

Emery was surprised and delighted at the large gathering in Sudbury.

Staff-Insp. Brian Jarrett wasn't going to arrest Emery as long as he acted
in an orderly fashion.

"Right now there's a problem in Canada with the interpretation of the law as
it relates to simple possession," said Jarrett. "Emery's using this avenue
to make his point. Until legislation is changed we have no foundation to
arrest him."

Jarrett doesn't agree with the legalization of pot.

"This goes far beyond pot for medical prescription purposes," said Jarrett.
"Legalizing marijuana could have very dangerous repercussions and the people
of Canada will have to live with it."