T
The420Guy
Guest
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.
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.
