Organizer wants Oshawa Cannabis Day to be an annual event
Jun 17, 2009 - 04:30 AM
By Jillian Follert
OSHAWA -- A local councillor is worried the City's plans for a family-friendly Canada Day party by the lake could go up in smoke -- literally.
In recent weeks, information has been posted on YouTube and Facebook announcing Oshawa Cannabis Day 2009, slated for 4:20 p.m. July 1 at Lakeview Park, the same area where the City hosts its annual Canada Day event.
The YouTube videos have been viewed more than 600 times, and local councillors are worried a crowd of pot proponents will light up as hundreds of families gather for live music and fireworks.
"I'm just appalled," said Councillor Brian Nicholson, who represents the south Oshawa ward that includes Lakeview Park. "First of all, it's illegal. Second of all, this is a family event where there will be lots of young children. We don't even allow alcohol at our Canada Day event."â?¨ Coun. Nicholson said he has made the police and senior City staff aware of the online content. He is hoping that if potential participants know they're not welcome and that the authorities will be keeping an eye out for them, the event won't take place.
Oshawa resident B.C. Fudge is the event organizer.
He said participants don't want to crash the City's Canada Day festivities, or smoke pot near children. It's a big lakefront, and while he wouldn't say exactly where the pot party would be taking place, he assured that it won't be too close to the City event.
Mr. Fudge said the inspiration for Oshawa Cannabis Day comes from similar July 1 events held in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Montreal.
"Therapeutically (pot) is used to treat the terminally ill or people suffering from extreme pain. In Canada, it is also used widely recreationally by many age groups. Many Canadians have tried it, and are not opposed to it, considering its effects are less harmful and intoxicating than alcohol," he said. "On July 1st, we plan to celebrate freedom. The freedom to associate, the freedom to peacefully assemble and the freedom to discuss a plant that rarely gets discussed because of the negative image it has been given by an unjust law."
While there is no way to know how many people will turn out for Oshawa Cannabis Day, the organizer said 800 people have RSVPed to the Facebook event listing. He is also expecting medical marijuana users to attend and light up with their proper documentation in hand.
If this year goes well, he'd like to see it become an annual tradition.
As for the concern it has caused, he said it's unfortunate, but probably a little unwarranted.
"On Canada Day, people are going to be smoking cigarettes at the park and I don't see politicians getting hyped up about that," he said. "Smoking is dangerous, second-hand smoke is dangerous, no one has proven cannabis is dangerous. There's no reason to get upset about it."
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