Pot users arrested in park
By: Lana Michelin, Red Deer Advocate (CN AB), 04-21-05


Spring wasn't the only thing in the air at Red Deer's City Hall Park on Wednesday when more than 400 people gathered to protest marijuana laws.

A distinctive odour wafted over Ross Street as dozens of joints were lit up at 4:20 p.m. to mark International Pot Day.

A young man named Corey compared pot smoking to going to a carnival. "It just brings people together."

"It's fun. We're here to celebrate," said a teenager named Lana.

Seconds later, 20 RCMP officers moved in and made several arrests. At one point, several officers sprinted towards a shirtless male who had jogged away from another police officer. They grabbed him and put him in handcuffs. In total, 15 charges were laid, police said today.

Police seated a row of handcuffed men along a Ross Street curb. One detainee complained police were denying him the right to a peaceful protest.

But Insp. Peter Calvert, of Red Deer City RCMP said the demonstrators were flouting the law in a very public place, right under the nose of police. "It's our duty to enforce the law. . . . If you're going to bring it to our front doorstep, we're going to have to respond to it," Calvert added.

But protester Shawn Mallory, who wore fake marijuana leaves on his head, questioned why police were snapping photos of protesters from the public library roof and confiscating drug paraphernalia, which can legally be sold.

"They threatened me (with arrest) and I didn't even have any pot," said the 22-year-old who did not receive a response to his questions.

A long-haired middle-aged man, who called himself "Papa," said the courts are already dealing with too many minor drug offences. Police are "intent on clogging up the system with their bureaucratic . . . red tape," he said.

Calvert suggested not everyone arrested on Wednesday will end up in court. "There may be some some cases where people are released with a warning."

But a dreadlocked woman named Ashley was still critical of police action. "It was pretty unnecessary. I mean, yes, we were breaking the law, but we're all just saying this should be legal," she said.

"It's a matter of freedom," said 19-year-old Rebecca McDonald, one of the marijuana smokers who wasn't arrested.

"I should be able to do something that isn't as much harm as everyone seems to think."

Not everyone could say why the gathering was held on Wednesday. One person believed it was in honour of the late reggae singer Bob Marley's birthday - which is actually Feb. 6.

Another thought it had something to do with Hitler's April 20 birthday.

But the one thing every demonstrator agreed with was that marijuana use should be legalized - or at least decriminalized.

"I think pot is a good thing," said Max Mowers, who believes it's less harmful than alcohol or cigarettes.

Ryan Kokaram denied it leads to more dangerous drug use. "If you decide to use worse drugs, you make that decision, no one is forcing them on you," he said.

Self-described "stoner" Tracy Morrison, believes smoking marijuana should be allowed in people's homes without penalty. She suggested it could be treated like drinking alcohol, which is only cracked down on by police in cases of public intoxication.

© 2005 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana