MARCHERS: WEED THE PEOPLE ...

Tokin' Demo At Queen's Park

Dan Malette, 21, takes a hit off a huge bong during yesterday's marijuana
rally at Queen's Park. Photo: David Lucas, SUN

Toronto's cannabis community sparked up yesterday and celebrated changes in
federal pot laws expected this summer.

About 2,000 doobie tokin' supporters enjoyed the weather and a bit of the
herb in Queen's Park as part of the annual global march for cannabis
liberation -- The Million Marijuana March.

No problems were reported and police presence in the park was low-key. The
group grooved to reggae music then marched up University Ave. to Bloor St.
W. and over to Yonge St. before heading back to Queen's Park.

ENJOYING THE DAY

"We're here to celebrate the many successes of the past year, and there
have been many," said Larry Duprey, chairman of the Toronto-area Marijuana
Party, who asked the crowd not to overtly provoke police.

"There's no reason to consume in their faces," he said. "Let's have some
discretion. Let's enjoy the day."

Despite the warning, there was lots of open partaking between the trees of
the provincial legislature's north grounds.

The celebration comes on the heels of Prime Minister Jean Chretien's
announcement that possessing small quantities of marijuana would soon be
decriminalized in Canada. The move follows the rulings of provincial courts
of appeal and a recommendation by a Canadian Senate committee. A bill is
expected to be introduced in June.

HEARD IT BEFORE

"It's something we've heard before. I'm encouraged, but cautiously
optimistic," said Neev, 31, of Cannabis As Living Medicine (CALM), a club
for users of medical marijuana.

Steven Bacon, one of the first Canadians to be given federal exemption to
grow and possess weed for medicinal reasons, has high hopes for legal changes.

"(The federal government) is between a rock and a hard place," he said,
adding decriminalization is a half answer.

"There will be no way for cops to tell the difference from medicinal and
recreational users," said Bacon, who uses pot to control pain and increase
his appetite. "Regulate it and no one would have a problem.
Decriminalization will be a half measure we'll have to live with ..."