Cannabis Week lights it up in Queen’s Park

20,000 activists and supporters participate in rally for marijuana legalization

(Originally written on: May 8, 2006)

Toronto’s annual Cannabis Week reached a whole new high on Saturday when about 20,000 pot smokers visited Queen’s Park North to advocate the legalization of marijuana and participate in the Global Marijuana March.

The amount of participants doubled this year, as last years estimated attendance only reached about 10,000.

The day, which boasts a combination of a crafts fair, a political rally and a concert promoting Canadian talent, kicked off at 11 a.m. Booths promoted cannabis education and awareness and vendors sold a variety of cannabis merchandise, from hand-blown glass pipes to reasonably priced rolling paper.

Teenagers, university students and hippies scattered themselves on the mound beneath the equestrian statue of Edward VII, where bongs were passed around and joints were smoked in a surprisingly calm manner.

A Cannabis Week spokesperson, who only goes by Neev, says the daylong festivities never ran into problems with the political authorities.

“It’s a peaceful event,” he said, unaware of the clouds of pot smoke looming overhead and colliding with the scent of the hot dog stand nearby (the stand sold out by days end). “They’ve never tried to shut us down.”

“It’s more of a cultural celebration, not to create political change. However, we want to change mainstream culture and destigmatize cannabis.”

Only two or three security guards were present to monitor the day’s events, well below the average of a guard per 200 people.

About 30,000 people were estimated to have attended between Queen’s Park and the march along the Yonge St. stretch between Bloor and College. No reported disputes or arrests were made.

Connor, 19, says he’s glad to be living in Canada rather than in the States, where the war against illegal drug usage is much more prominent.

“[The Canadian government] is not necessarily going after us,” he said, while being flanked by three female friends that blocked the spring breeze as he rolled a joint. “They’ve more or less left us alone.”

The Global Marijuana March, now in its eighth year, is held in over 200 countries worldwide, Toronto being one of the biggest demonstrations of cannabis culture.

But there is no denying the event’s timing, as it is at the heels of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s pledge last month to strengthen punishment for marijuana growing operations. The PM also declared that he plans to abolish the former Liberal government’s plans to decriminalize the simple possession of the drug.

Still, activists like Neev said that, unfortunately, the matter of legalizing marijuana is in the hands of the higher authorities.

“It’s kind of a done deal,” he said. “It’s really an American issue. The drug war will end with the right president. Unfortunately, not with the right prime minister, although a strong prime minister will find a way out of this.”

For now, he said, Cannabis Week and the Global Marijuana March will remain as peaceful events where everyone just has a good time.

Saturday’s events ended with a Marijuana March after party, DJ-ed by such names like Eon and Jay from Bedouin Soundclash, Ollie Mac and Kenny Glasgow. Proceeds of the party were donated to the non-profit organization and event architect, CALM (Cannabis as a Living Medicine).

CALM is a Toronto-based organization that provides information, services and products to those depending on marijuana as medical solutions.

For more information on CALM and upcoming events, please visit www.cannabisclub.ca

Photography: Kimberly Fu

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