NOT ALL POT SMOKERS MELLOW ON CANNABIS DAY

Angry Speakers Say Sick People Can't Legally Get Marijuana

Organizers hoped the afternoon would be a call to "get up, stand up, stand
up for your rights," but for much of the crowd at the eighth annual
Cannabis Day on the Dartmouth Common, it was more a chance to "get together
and feel all right."

With the music of Bob Marley and Pink Floyd blasting, a clear sky and an
extraordinary number of ice cream vendors on hand, the day may have been
more suited to relaxation than activism.

Organizer Mike Stackhouse said he thought the day's speakers, including
several medical marijuana users and a Rastafarian, irate about restrictive
marijuana laws, would spur recreational users into action.

"Hopefully (they'll take away) some hope and some purpose to be active in
their own right," he said.

"There are a lot of young people here and maybe by the time they hit voting
age, they're going to vote with what's in line with their beliefs."

The mellow mood on Tuesday may itself have made a point.

"There are a lot of lies perpetrated about the drug. We're here to expose
those lies," Mr. Stackhouse said.

He said the idea that marijuana acts as a gateway to harder drugs or
induces "reefer madness" is simply propaganda.

The 200 or more blissed-out pot smokers enjoying the sun on the hill were a
friendly, welcoming crowd.

The group spanned all ages, races, sizes and shapes. Some were content to
smoke alone, while others formed large clusters in the shade of trees.

A young woman said she and her friends came to the Canada Day event for two
reasons.

"First of all, we're patriotic," she said. "Second of all, we like to smoke
weed."

"I'd rather smoke weed than get drunk," added her friend Sean.

Dave, a third member of the group, said alcohol may loosen inhibitions but
marijuana brings people together.

"There are a lot more angry drunk people than angry pot smokers," he said.

In fact, there were several angry pot smokers on the Dartmouth Common.

Medical marijuana users are incensed over the federal government's proposed
changes to marijuana legislation.

They say so-called decriminalization does nothing to help those who are
legally entitled to use the drug but have no legal means of obtaining it.

Debbie Stultz-Giffin of Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana uses pot to
treat her progressive multiple sclerosis. She has a permit to do so but
relies on an unapproved grower for her marijuana.

"Patients are sick and tired of being abused by our government," she told
the crowd.

"It's time to unite and become proactive at whatever level you're
comfortable with. It would be really awesome to have the support of as many
of you recreational smokers as possible."

She urged smokers to attend a rally planned for July 9 at the Grand Parade,
where the group will call for the resignation of Health Minister Anne
McLellan. Jane Parker, a Lunenburg County woman who also uses marijuana to
treat her MS, said paying black market prices has left her without money
for groceries this month.

She told the crowd that conventional drugs leave her stoned and unable to
deal with the world, but marijuana helps her lead a normal life.

Some were moved by their stories.

Orrin Young of the Sackville area was considering getting a membership in
the group.

"It's disgusting how two-faced the government's been," he said.

But many others were enjoying the ambience more than the speeches.

Robert, a Halifax man who's been puffing joints for 25 years, said, "I'm
checking out the scene, supporting whatever they're doing. What is it, the
decriminalization of marijuana?"