cannabisnews.com: Not All Pot Smokers Mellow on Cannabis Day 





Not All Pot Smokers Mellow on Cannabis Day 
Posted by CN Staff on July 02, 2003 at 07:59:03 PT
By John Gillis
Source: Halifax Herald 
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?" Note: Angry speakers say sick people can't legally get marijuana.Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS)Author: John GillisPublished: Wednesday, July 2, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Halifax Herald LimitedContact letters herald.ns.caWebsite: http://www.herald.ns.ca/Related Articles & Web Sites:Canadians for Safe Accesshttp://safeaccess.ca/Cannabis Buyers' Clubs of Canadahttp://www.cbc-canada.com/Medical Marijuana Missionhttp://www.themarijuanamission.com/Law Could Be Backward Step, Med Users Warnhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16443.shtmlCanada Rethinks Medical Marijuana Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16079.shtml 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 02, 2003 at 17:50:18 PT
ESPN Article on 2010 - Olympics - Vancouver B.C.
City Celebrates As It Readies Itself for 2010 GamesBy Jim Caple, ESPN.com 
VANCOUVER -- Vancouverites are about as excited as anyone can get for an event that won't take place for another seven years.  The Roots store opened at 7:30 in the morning to sell Vancouver 2010 T-shirts, which was about an hour before the International Olympic Committee actually awarded the city the 2010 Winter Olympics. Not to be outdone, the two local daily papers distributed pre-printed souvenir editions minutes after the news while the 12,000 or so people who filled GM Place for the early morning announcement reacted as if the Canucks had just won the Stanley Cup."Isn't that fantastic!'' Canadian ski champion Nancy Greene Raine shouted. "We did it! We did it! We did it!'' It was a little early for serious partying Wednesday morning but by this evening, the celebratory marijuana clouds rising over the Whistler ski resort might be visible from downtown Vancouver."Anything is possible, let me put it that way,'' Olympic gold medallist Ross Rebagliati said. "There are going to be some parties tonight.''Rebagliati, of course, is the snowboarder who gained worldwide fame at the 1998 Nagano Games when the IOC tried to strip him of his gold medal after he tested positive for marijuana. His delightful explanation: So many people use dope in Whistler that his body absorbed the substance from second-hand smoke just living there.Snipped: Complete Article: http://espn.go.com/oly/columns/caple_jim/1575941.html
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Comment #4 posted by John Tyler on July 02, 2003 at 09:46:17 PT
Games
What a great way to showcase Vancouver culture to the whole world.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 02, 2003 at 09:24:10 PT
Canada Sure Is Getting World Approval!
Vancouver Lands Games
: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030702.uvanc0701/BNStory/Front/
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 02, 2003 at 09:16:24 PT
afterburner
It sure sounds like you had a wonderful time! How about Vancouver being the site of the 2010 Olympics! 
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Comment #1 posted by afterburner on July 02, 2003 at 08:59:17 PT:
Cannada Day
I spent a couple hours at the Hot-Box Cafe yesterday, enjoying Canada's birthday, the weather, the multicultural ambiance, the music, the conversation, the refreshments, and a few spliffs of ganja. Seating is limited, but people are eager to share. A canopy of leaves shelters the patio, but you can get some sun there if you want to. Most of the people seem to be regulars, but all are welcome. The hemp food treats sell out early, and last call is around 8:30 pm. At that time most of the crowd traipsed off to a house party. No one was rowdy. No "barroom brawls" in this cafe, mister/sister.Next, I went to Downsview Park for the fireworks. The entrance is hard to find. Most of the fields were fenced off. The fireworks were ooh ahh as usual. This is where the Rolling Stones concert is to be held on June 30.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, a day of celebration, doing legal, fun things with other country men and women. 
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