LEGALIZATION TOUR CONTINUES IN DAUPHIN

Protesters raised a collective voice in favor of legalizing marijuana at
the Parkland RCMP detachment July 10. While the event remained peaceful,
two individuals were caught smoking marijuana and arrested.

Also, Cannabis Culture magazine publisher and activist Marc Emery, who was
slated to speak to the crowd, was detained in Winnipeg after kicking off
the Summer of Legalization tour by smoking marijuana outside of the
Winnipeg Public Safety Building, July 9.

After being released Emery was able to communicate with Dauphin protesters
via cell phone with the aid of a megaphone.

According to Emery he was charged with possession of half a gram of
marijuana and released on $500 bail - on the condition that he would not
break the law or create disturbances.

"When they tell you that most people don't go to jail for small amounts of
marijuana I assure you that they are not only willing to put me in jail
that they said if I went to Dauphin and smoked marijuana there they'd try
to keep me for 10 weeks until my court trial," Emery told the crowd.

For Emery standing before a magistrate will be a welcomed opportunity to
defend his cause.

"I'm convinced of this, there is no marijuana law in Canada," said Emery,
reflecting on the decision of Superior Court Judge Steven Rogin in Ontario.

"Judges need to be explained this and its going to be tough in Manitoba as
the people of Dauphin know."

While Emery was unable to attend the Dauphin event he assured that the tour
would continue and gave protesters his word that he would make a trip to
Dauphin in September or October.

For Dauphin organizer John Woods, legalizing and regulating marijuana in
Canada just makes sense.

"We have something like marijuana being compared to alcohol and tobacco.
Are we going to outlaw those right away so they don't end up with our 12
year old kids in schools?

"No, we regulate them and we keep them out of the hands of our youth and
that's what we need to do here with marijuana."

Sweet Hemp-tations owner and activist Stephanie Hunter was encouraged by
the amount of support shown at the Dauphin protest.

"I don't care if anybody is smoking here," said Hunter. "I'm not making
anybody smoke up here. It's their choice if they want. Really all we need
today is the support - something needs to happen here."

In Hunter's view the current laws are grossly unfair.

"I know of child molesters who are out on the street right now and I had to
put up $10,000 bail to get someone out of jail for marijuana - that is what
is sick," said Hunter.

Sgt. David Allison was satisfied with how the event proceeded.

"(It was) very, very, well organized," said Allison. "I have no concerns
with how the people conducted themselves. They were peaceful, respectful
and they got to voice their opinions.

"(The arrests) haven't changed my opinion at all. They indicated that a
couple of people were planning to challenge the law and most certainly a
couple of them did and they were arrested. So they will be processed and
we'll see what happens in the courts."