420 SHOULD BE CELEBRATED

420 is a symbol that connects marijuana smokers from all over the
world to the cannabis culture. You may have seen it, read about it or
heard it referred to by someone you know. Most commonly, it marks a
time of day (4:20) or a date (4/20). On the date, April 20, hundreds
of thousands of Canadians will join millions of people around the
world to gather, in private and in public, to celebrate the annual
cannabis holiday.

Of course, it is not an official holiday yet.

There are probably as many explanations as to why April 20 has become
so significant to the cannabis culture as there are people who
observe the day. But, one thing seems to be common among them all: a
desire for freedom. From the brashest activist to the closet toker,
every marijuana user is acutely aware that they do not have it and
that their involvement with marijuana might result in the loss of liberty.

Yet, we continue to do it. And, on April 20, many will gather in
public. These gatherings occur in parks and public areas across the
country. In many respects, they are expressions of defiance, a
defiance of the arbitrary laws that prohibit a plant that so many
Canadians use for medical, spiritual and recreational purposes.

On April 20th, I will take my place among the hundreds of thousands
of Canadians who, like me, believe in freedom and the right of an
individual to control their own bodies and minds. I will venture to
the customary local gathering place--there is one in every city and
town across this country--and celebrate the cannabis culture. I will
smoke a joint with friends and pray that this is the year we gain our freedom.

Hope to see you there.

- --Moe Brondum lives in North Battleford, Saskatchewan