HUNDREDS RALLY FOR MARIJUANA

More than 200 advocates for the legalization of marijuana turned out
Saturday for a march and downtown rally urging lawmakers to "free the
weed" and lift laws banning the use of the drug.

The event was part of the third-annual "Million Marijuana March"
against intolerance, which took place in 160 cities worldwide,
organizers said.

Local pot supporters gathered at noon at East 24th Avenue and Amazon
Parkway in Eugene and marched north on Pearl and Oak streets toward
the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza at the county courthouse.

Marchers toted signs demanding the legalization of marijuana and waved
white helium balloons emblazoned with the green cannabis leaf. At the
plaza, they smoked marijuana, grooved to live music and cheered
speakers who urged the government to stop all cannabis arrests and
prosecutions and to allow the use of marijuana as medicine.

Eugene police followed the marchers to guard against traffic problems
but otherwise kept a low profile at the peaceful event.