Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Multiple sclerosis sufferer Justin Loizos led a group of frustrated medical marijuana patients into a downtown intersection on Friday for a smoke session which shut down traffic. The group of about 30 protesters were diverse but united in their mission to be heard.
The patients who gathered at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Sts. were protesting Bill 178 which groups medical marijuana in with tobacco products in the Ontario Smoke Free Act. This bill would prevent patients from medicating in many places and threatens the existence of cannabis lounges in the city.
Hamilton comedian Dan Peters showed up to support the cause.
"Its all about patient rights," he told passersby as the crowd grew. "They have a right to be able to safely medicate in a safe and community-oriented space."
He noted some of these lounges have operated in Toronto for over a decade - "renting space, employing people and paying taxes."
At 4:40 p.m. - 20 minutes late for their planned 4:20 p.m. start (420 is synonymous with weed smoking), members of the small but determined group walked out and took a seat - they even brought chaise lounges. Cars and passersby immediately responded.
The reaction was mixed, many people showed support with thumbs ups and 420 chants while others made their disapproval heard with car horns. Some very angry taxi drivers weaved through the protesters at high speeds with no concern for people's safety.
The protesters didn't stay long, leaving after five minutes and just a few light changes. Long-time medical marijuana patient Naomi Poley, known to the cannabis community as "Ganja Gramma" told reporters she was shocked by the cabs hostile reaction.
"Our plan wasn't to make people mad. It was just to be heard and I think we accomplished that in a short amount of time," she said.
Organizer Loizos felt it was a successful day and plans on holding more "smoke-ins" in the coming weeks, adding there was enough supporters to shut down the intersection.
"It actually doesn't take a huge group of people, which is exciting. I want this to be big and happening in different cities," he added. "Tens of thousands of people use cannabis medically inside of Ontario and we need to start coming together - not to cause chaos but to be heard."
When asked what he would say to those who are critical of protesters halting traffic in such a busy area, he responded with a sigh: "I don't want to do this. The last thing I want to be doing is smoking out here in the streets. That is the whole point - we need a place to medicate.
"I'm a sick person - for a lot of the protest my legs were shaking and I was having trouble walking," said Loizos. "I could see other patients who were in distress as well, but we need to be heard."
Interestingly, their was a police presence at the smoke-in.
A single officer dealt with a fight between two men as the protest started and sped away in his patrol car.
Many protesters were quick to note the city obviously has bigger issues than pot lounges to deal with.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Smoke-In' Protesters Just Wanted To Be Heard
Author: Sarah Hanlon
Contact: 416-947-2222
Photo Credit: Ernest Doroszuk
Website: Toronto Sun
The patients who gathered at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Sts. were protesting Bill 178 which groups medical marijuana in with tobacco products in the Ontario Smoke Free Act. This bill would prevent patients from medicating in many places and threatens the existence of cannabis lounges in the city.
Hamilton comedian Dan Peters showed up to support the cause.
"Its all about patient rights," he told passersby as the crowd grew. "They have a right to be able to safely medicate in a safe and community-oriented space."
He noted some of these lounges have operated in Toronto for over a decade - "renting space, employing people and paying taxes."
At 4:40 p.m. - 20 minutes late for their planned 4:20 p.m. start (420 is synonymous with weed smoking), members of the small but determined group walked out and took a seat - they even brought chaise lounges. Cars and passersby immediately responded.
The reaction was mixed, many people showed support with thumbs ups and 420 chants while others made their disapproval heard with car horns. Some very angry taxi drivers weaved through the protesters at high speeds with no concern for people's safety.
The protesters didn't stay long, leaving after five minutes and just a few light changes. Long-time medical marijuana patient Naomi Poley, known to the cannabis community as "Ganja Gramma" told reporters she was shocked by the cabs hostile reaction.
"Our plan wasn't to make people mad. It was just to be heard and I think we accomplished that in a short amount of time," she said.
Organizer Loizos felt it was a successful day and plans on holding more "smoke-ins" in the coming weeks, adding there was enough supporters to shut down the intersection.
"It actually doesn't take a huge group of people, which is exciting. I want this to be big and happening in different cities," he added. "Tens of thousands of people use cannabis medically inside of Ontario and we need to start coming together - not to cause chaos but to be heard."
When asked what he would say to those who are critical of protesters halting traffic in such a busy area, he responded with a sigh: "I don't want to do this. The last thing I want to be doing is smoking out here in the streets. That is the whole point - we need a place to medicate.
"I'm a sick person - for a lot of the protest my legs were shaking and I was having trouble walking," said Loizos. "I could see other patients who were in distress as well, but we need to be heard."
Interestingly, their was a police presence at the smoke-in.
A single officer dealt with a fight between two men as the protest started and sped away in his patrol car.
Many protesters were quick to note the city obviously has bigger issues than pot lounges to deal with.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Smoke-In' Protesters Just Wanted To Be Heard
Author: Sarah Hanlon
Contact: 416-947-2222
Photo Credit: Ernest Doroszuk
Website: Toronto Sun
