cannabisnews.com: Prince of Pot Says, Like, Come To Toronto Prince of Pot Says, Like, Come To Toronto Posted by CN Staff on June 19, 2003 at 17:00:14 PT By Reuters Source: Reuters Toronto -- The self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot" says Canada's biggest city could stage a tourism renaissance in the wake of the SARS outbreak if it opened its doors to a risk-free summer for marijuana smokers. Marc Emery, who runs a lucrative mail-order seed distribution company in British Columbia and owns Internet-based Pot-TV, said Toronto, which has seen tourism plunge because of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome that has killed 35 people, could benefit from a more relaxed attitude toward marijuana use, especially now that the federal government plans to ease its marijuana laws. "Marijuana -- that means fun times, parties, a cool city and an enlightened state of mind," Emery told a crowd gathered in front of Toronto's police headquarters. Cradling a marijuana plant in the crook of his arm, and a pipe in one hand, Emery said: "Believe me, marijuana people don't create problems like alcohol people. You want those kinds of tourists who are laughing, having a good time, and eating a whole lot in Toronto restaurants." Last month, the Canadian government introduced legislation to end criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Under the bill, people caught with 15 grams (half an ounce, or enough for about 15 to 30 joints) or less of cannabis would only be fined, and criminal penalties would be reduced on those growing up to 25 marijuana plants. Statistics released on Thursday showed the number of visitors to Ontario in April fell 24 percent from a year earlier. The travel slump coincided with a World Health Organisation warning against travel to Toronto for one week in April because of SARS. Newshawk: JR Bob Dobbs Source: Reuters Published: June 19, 2003Copyright: 2003 Reuters Related Articles & Web Sites:Pot-TVhttp://www.pot-tv.netCannabis Culturehttp://www.cannabisculture.com/Dozens Smoke Pot at Toronto Police Station http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16651.shtmlMarijuana Legal in Ontario http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16326.shtmlNo Laws Ban Possession of Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16321.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by FoM on June 20, 2003 at 00:05:28 PT afterburner Annabelle did like it! LOL! I must call it a day! It's been a good day! They showed the smoke in again but I still couldn't figure out which person you were. History was made today! PS: I really like that cute little song. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by afterburner on June 19, 2003 at 23:15:36 PT: "Homegrown's All Right With Me! Homegrown That's The Way It Should Be!"Annabelle and the fans love that one.As Marc said events with pot possession are no longer illegal in Ontario. Unlike the RAVE Act, which is squishing freedom South of the Medicine Line.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, across the Medicine Line. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 19, 2003 at 23:01:50 PT afterburner I'm glad you liked the idea. The reason John Walters is so afraid is because we can relate to Canada. You have such a smart country. Wise is a better word. We can't keep the world from evolving by making more laws against things. I don't believe the same way I did when I was younger. I know we all can say the same thing. Your country gets it but ours just fights change. That's very sad. I loved seeing Neil Young. I will never forget Greendale. Neil Young thinks outside the box. He always has and maybe that's why so many people respect him. I found out yesterday that Farm Aid will be exactly where we were when we saw Neil Young in Columbus. It is in September. The two I want to see and hear are Neil Young and Willie Nelson. He sang this song at Farm Aid.Homegrown's All Right With Me! Homegrown That's The Way It Should Be!http://farmaid.com/media/mp3/Homegrown.mp3 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by afterburner on June 19, 2003 at 22:45:36 PT: FoM- My Exact Thoughts Smoking legal cannabis at the Neil Young concert at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on 23.June.2003. It wouldn't be the first time people in Ontario smoked pot at a concert, but it would be the first time it was legal. Take that, Amber Alert RAVE Act! We will host your cannabis fund-raising events here. America, go North, cross the Medicine Line to the "true North, strong and free." We will help you fight the Monster. The more pressure you put on the US politicians, the sooner the legal cannabis business can proceed under the North America Free Trade Act. Do not accept the rule of the "nanny state," you have a God-given right to decide what to put in your own mouth.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on June 19, 2003 at 19:46:38 PT You Know What I Would Like To See? When Neil Young plays in Toronto I wish everyone that partakes of Cannabis smokes at the concert. I'm not sure how far Toronto is from here but if I thought that could be possible it would be hard for me not to want to go and see freedom like I've never seen it before. PS: Maybe people already openly smoke at concerts in Toronto but that wasn't the way it was in Ohio. Neil Young - Greendale [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on June 19, 2003 at 19:38:55 PT Exodus to Cannada for the cause. There have been times when I have heard people question Marc's motives.He makes His motives clear.As far as tourism goes, it has to be better than terrorism.For Americans to vacation in Cannada -Marc Emeryville, to smoke pot en mass would be a big boost, for the movement. The movement HAS movement. Let's pick up the pace.It's 4:20 twice a day. Make the 1st one with Our Father. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on June 19, 2003 at 17:11:37 PT Here comes another one Toronto Police Ignore Pot Party In Front Of HQ:http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1056060627137&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment