Pot enthusiasts gather at Kitchener City Hall for the 6th annual 420 Freedom Rally
Posted Apr 19, 2017 03:30:30 PM.
Last Updated Apr 20, 2017 02:30:54 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Marijuana enthusiasts will gather in downtown Kitchener on Thursday for the annual ‘420 Freedom Rally‘.
Organizer Tony Millar says this is the 6th year for the event.
“Every year it’s just been a celebration of cannabis, and what cannabis has to offer both medicinally and recreationally. This year, we’ll have a lot more public people coming out as the stigma is kind of going away with legalization occurring. There will be a lot of celebrations, but also some protests regarding Bill C-45.”
Over 100 people are expected to come out to our local rally this year, but Millar says it won’t be nearly as big — or smoky — as other 420 rallies across Canada.
“It’s primarily a population thing. A lot of people from our region will head to the bigger celebrations in Toronto or Ottawa to participate in the big ‘smoke outs’. I think a lot of people in the past have also just been afraid– they don’t want to face criminal charges. There’s definitely power in numbers with the larger cities, as compared to our marches where we only have 80 to 100 people.”
Millar adds that they’ve never had any issues with the City of Kitchener or Regional Police at their past rallies.
“The City has generally been supportive, and don’t really get involved too much. We’re always very respectful and clean, so we’re not expecting any problems this year. We haven’t had any direct issues with the police either, the only problems in the past have been people at our rallies who may have a warrant out for outside matters– but no issues directly with our rallies and the police.”
A look at the 4/20 rally so far @570NEWS pic.twitter.com/dIZaQwOqG0
— Adam Haga (@AdamHaga) April 20, 2017
Millar says spirits will be high at this year’s event as legalization is looming, but adds that not every pot enthusiast is happy with the government’s decision.
“A lot of people will be celebrating cannabis, but they’ll also be speaking out specifically against Bill C-45. This has given the government the power over the entire process– including manufacturing and distribution. This is not the legalization that a lot of people were looking for. We’re hoping this Bill will get reformed before it gets passed, as it was just introduced on April 13th.”
The 420 Freedom Rally is hosted by the Kitchener Cannabis Club and Alternative Cannabis Consumption Awareness, and is taking place at Kitchener City Hall from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 20th.
