It was an absolutely beautiful day, after a week of heavy rain throughout Southern Ontario it was quite a relief that the bright and shining Sun had come out to greet us! Preparing to begin our trek throughout the streets of downtown T.O. and before our group had a chance to completely assemble, our Alliance was split up at the launch point - the energy of the growing crowd pushed forward and the marchers were raring to get started! Fortunately it all worked out as those of us not right at the front remained to accompany our Prohibition-era Ford from Good Fellas Limo. Complete with our very own "Al Capone" Chauffeur, the sweet ride was able to idle throughout the parade route and catch the eye of interested onlookers.
Michelle our Belle - the most photographed woman of the day! And our very own "Al Capone" - Thanks Harold!
The day’s most creative protest was staged by the National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Laws (NORML) Women’s Alliance. The NORML women dressed up in 1920s costumes and were followed by a car of a similar vintage, driven by a man dressed as Al Capone. According to NORML media spokesperson Andrea Matrosovs, the Women’s Alliance wanted to make plain the connection between the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s and ’30s—which was a boon to organized crime—and marijuana prohibition today.
“When women gathered together in the ’20s and ’30s, they made things happen,” she said. “And it was to the benefit of families, and the dis-benefit of organized criminals.”
Matrosovs was somewhat unique among Saturday’s demonstrators. She doesn’t smoke marijuana at all. Her interest in legalization comes purely as a result of her social-science background and the time she spent as a high school teacher.
“If we could legalize, regulate, and tax, then we could take those revenues that are currently going to organized crime and direct them to good things,” she said. “My background is as an educator…and it bothered me that our youth were being funneled into alcohol, because that’s legal in our society at age 19, where marijuana isn’t.”
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MyETVmedia
interview with Jodie Emery of Cannabis Culture and the NORML's Women's
Alliance at the 14th. annual Toronto Global Marijuana March @ Queen's
Park.
"An estimated 15,000 people gathered at Queen’s Park on Saturday afternoon for the Toronto Global Marijuana March, and The Grid was there to find out why the event is so popular.
"Along the way, we encountered members of the NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada, who gathered in elegant 1920s costumes to protest the current prohibition of marijuana..."
Once again, my camera failed me but not before I took the above pictures* leading up to the start of the March. I'd like to thank Wendel Grant and Alison Myrden for letting me share some of their great photos (below) from the awesome day, Thanks! (To see these great pictures enlarged, "Click" on them.)
NORML Women getting approval from the growing crowds
and passing motorists.
The Grand Parade Marshals!
Leading the way!
Alison's Photos
Alison and the NORML Woman's Alliance marching alongside Jodie Emery.
Cannabis = Zero deaths. Ever.
Kelly and Alison - NORML Women inspiring us all!
It
was a privilege to gather
with such an incredible group of people who honestly care about
our fellow human beings and Mother Earth. Kudos to you, my fellow
NORML
Women, I'm glad to have marched alongside every single one of you.
Just like the Sabine's contributed to end the Noble Experiment all those
decades ago, NORML Women will campaign** to bring about an end to the unjust Drug War today. We're "Women On a Mission to End Prohibition" - take that, Steve!
For anyone who didn't get a chance to watch "Prohibition" - the phenomenal 3 part documentary by Ken Burns and Kim Novick - you're in luck! PBS has gone all out and created an absolutely amazing web experience worthy of sharing so go check it out, and tell your friends!
NORML reports: "In May 1929, Pauline Sabin founded the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR). It was a platform for women who were demanding the repeal of the 18th amendment forbidding the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Known as the Sabin women, the leadership of the WONPR consisted primarily of the nonpartisan wives of leaders of American industry. In a little over a year, almost 1.5 million Sabin Women were publicly calling for an end to prohibition-inspired violence and political malfeasance related to the illegal production of alcohol." ~
Jodie Emery is one of the strongest leaders in the cannabis legalization movement. Wife to imprisoned activist Marc Emery, Jodie has become a voice to be reckoned with in her own right. Mrs. Emery will also be at the front leading the Global Marijuana March alongside the NORML Women's Alliance of Canada.
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Follow the NORML Women's Alliance on Twitter: NORMLWomen'sAlliance - @NORML_CWA Join and "LIKE" the new Facebook Page for the NORML Women's Alliance of Canada.
* - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 27, 2012The NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada Leads The 14th Global Marijuana March The NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada is pleased to announce we have been chosen to lead the 14th Toronto Global Marijuana March(GMM) throughout the city on Saturday, May 5, 2012. The GMM takes place annually in over 100 cities across the globe and will attract upwards of 20,000 cannabis enthusiasts and anti-prohibitionists to downtown Toronto alone. We believe that women will once again be a successful, driving force towards ending prohibition. In the spirit of the day the NORML Women's Alliance of Canada has chosen to honour those women who bravely campaigned for an end to alcohol prohibition in the 1920s and ‘30s by dressing in attire reminiscent of this era. The peaceful protest will assemble at 11 a.m. and launch at 12 p.m., north of Queen's Park North at Charles Street. It will traverse north to Bloor Street, east to Yonge Street, south to Gerrard Street and east to Church Street. After the march, the crowd will disperse to several marijuana-friendly events across the city. Members of the NORML Women's Alliance of Canada are mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and caregivers of this nation. We are calling on the Canadian Government to end cannabis prohibition, re-prioritize spending to focus on our families, education, health care and a mandate to protect Canadians from being damaged any further by this harmful, tried and failed government policy. The NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada is a non-partisan coalition of socially and geographically diverse women from coast to coast to coast who believe that marijuana prohibition is a destructive and hypocritical policy that undermines the Canadian people, sends a mixed and false message to our youth, and destroys the cherished principles of personal liberty, freedom and sovereignty belonging to all Canadians. NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada
Cannabis As Living Medicine (CALM) is a Compassion Club and has been operating out in the open in Toronto for 14 years now. It serves Medical Cannabis Patients who are sick, in pain and those with terminal illnesses. Their website states ~
C.A.L.M. is committed to:
Providing access and education on all aspects of cannabis to those with verifiable medical need
Ensure members receive access to safe, clean cannabis products, information, peer counseling and research
Empirically monitor the reliability and quality of the strains of cannabis being administered to clients
Use proven methodologies to convert basic cannabis into alternative medicinal compounds
Helping members achieve self-sustainability and independence by providing young plants
On March 31st. 2010, right before the Easter long weekend Metropolititan Toronto Police decided to raid the club, along with handing out a concussion to the unfortunate soul by the door when the plainclothes police officers stormed in. Read the story in the Toronto Star: Nine charged after Queen St. pot compassion club raided
I am so saddened by this, words cannot express how this makes me feel. Again I say, this is not a "War On Drugs" but a "War on People Who Use Certain Drugs".
Here you go, taxpayers, this is your money at work, MTPD arresting and charging sick people (who are licensed to use cannabis by Health Canada) for using a natural plant, receiving quality medication from a place that is safe from dealers on the street, a place that actually has the word/mandate COMPASSION. Find full length videos from the raid on the CALMToronto YouTube Channel.
"The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.
We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.
We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community." ~ The Charter for Compassion
You can also let your voice be heard to the police responsible for the raid, much like Jennifer Pixie has in a Note posted on Facebook:
To the Officers of 51 Division, Toronto Police Services
Det. Jim Brons at 51 Division 416-808-5100
I would like to make a complaint against this division in protest of the March 31st raid on Cannabis As Living Medicine. CALM is medicinal resource & support centre – well respected in the community for helping to meet the needs of thousands of chronically & terminally ill Canadians. I was appalled to learn that officers used deceit & force to enter an institution that has repeatedly invited law enforcement with open arms to discuss their situation in the current legal grey area. Through this action the Toronto Police have forced many seriously ill people to actually rely on the criminal elements – purchasing questionable medicine from even more dubious sources. Or even worse – go without their meds.
Health Canada’s MMAR program is under persistent scrutiny from all across the country – due to its failure to meet constitutional requirements – which is why organizations like CALM need to exist and have operated for more than a decade to provide relief from the suffering caused by chronic illness
I am disappointed that time and money went into an investigation that does not in any way benefit the communities you are sworn to serve & protect, especially in an area so plagued by crack-cocaine, prostitution & violence.
You have not been truthful or open nor have you acted with integrity or respect as your ‘core values’ dictate. I also feel that by not identifying themselves immediately the officers put all those present at greater risk. The officers involved in this incident acted disproportionately - and were rude and belligerent towards club members.
Persecuting sick people is wrong and as a taxpayer, I am very disappointed in the Toronto Police and do not condone the action taken against CALM.
As a medical marijuana patient I feel that my rights have been violated and the judicial system is putting my health in jeopardy.
“As a public service organization, it is imperative for the Toronto Police Service to effectively communicate with the community we serve, especially in relation to providing information that could be useful to victims of crime and others wishing to engage our services.” - Toronto Police Service Website
Protest the RAID by 51 DIVISION against CALM Medical Cannabis Club
At approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday March 31st, twelve 51 Division officers raided a medical cannabis resource and support centre. C.A.L.M. has provided support for patients with debilitating illnesses that range from AIDS,cancer, glaucoma and MS for years. The police arrested 9 individuals found on site and confiscated their medication. The Queen St. location was targeted despite the fact that all individuals in question had federal licenses to possess, store and/or cultivate medical cannabis. ~
Please join in the peaceful protest, whether you are a member of the club or not, showing support for this wonderful organization is a blessing to the Medical Cannabis community. On the Event page someone has also posted on the wall: Anyone living in Guelph, Cambridge, or Kitchener, the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph is renting a bus that is free to anyone that needs a ride to the protest. Please read it for more info.
Please read what CALM Members have posted on their message board to the question "How Has This Raid Affected YOU?" and I pose this question to the police who conducted the raid and all politicians who support Prohibition... "Are we safer now?"
Mama, Wife, Writer, Political Junkie, Legalizer, Freedom Fighter, Student of Life, Atheist, Lover of Music & Written Word.
#420Friendly #Spoonie
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"I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the Customs Agent. I am the Coast Guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable." ~ Alexander Shulgin PhD, Chemist and author
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