Daily Headlines DRUNKS PUT END TO POT MEETINGS by Rebecca Aldous, Victoria News, (Source:Victoria News)

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British Columbia

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The smoke has cleared and it was alcohol that killed the marijuana bash.



After 12 years, the world's largest weekly pot rally has been stubbed out because of drinking.



Victoria's International Hempology 101 Society meetings drew up to 100 cannabis supporters, but society president Ted Smith said they will have to light up on their own.



Smith said the meetings became too dangerous when unruly beer swiggers crashed the rallies. The gatherings moved to outside the Ministry of Health building because security guards patrol the grounds, which Smith hoped would deter drinkers from attending.



However two weeks ago, Smith's hand was injured as he conducted a citizen's arrest on a drunken man who punched a rally member. The incident scared Smith enough that he decided it was time to call it quits for the group.



"It is gut wrenching to see people's lives being ruined ( by alcohol ), when some people would switch to cannabis ( if it were legal )," Smith said.



Smith says he has not had a sip of alcohol for 11 years and believes he is better off without it. He doesn't understand the logic behind society's legalized drug choice, which has ruined thousands of lives.



After dealing with drunks, Smith said he has a better understanding of what police go through on a daily basis. Smith noted out of the 681 rallies held, only two possession charges were laid and members were cooperative with the men in blue.



Although the meetings have had their final spark, Smith will be busy working on his free Internet marijuana lecture series. He also hopes to roll out a cannabis test book.



On Thursday ( Nov. 15 ), the society welcomes people to join them for an International Medical Marijuana Day rally. The event starts at noon outside the Ministry of Health building, with a silent art auction being held at the Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada at 4:20 p.m.





MAP posted-by: Richard Lake





Share This Article Pubdate: Fri, 09 Nov 2007

Source: Victoria News (CN BC)

Copyright: 2007 Victoria News

Contact: editor@vicnews.com

Website: http://www.vicnews.com/

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267

Author: Rebecca Aldous, Victoria News

Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)

Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)



