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READ: Jodie Emery: The Liberals have lied – their pot plan is not legalization

As the 4-20 supporters, who numbered in the hundreds, went about their business, tourists visiting Parliament took in the sights, and some saw more than they expected.

“I’m seeing big bags of weed and bongs and I’m thinking what is going on?” said New York City tourist Lena Mirchandani, 56, who was in Ottawa to see family and take a tour. “I have never seen anything like this in my life. I am just blown away. I’m from New York City, you can’t smoke weed on the streets of New York, you’d be arrested.”

Meanwhile, Health Minister Jane Philpott was in New York City on Wednesday to announce the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana will be introduced next spring. She made the announcement at the United Nations where she is leading the Canadian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly special session on drugs.

Angela Douglas, 56, has been coming to 4-20 rallies for six years. She said Philpott’s announcement is a step in the right direction but she’ll believe it when she sees it.

“We voted last year for change now, not two or three years from now,” said Douglas, holding a banner that read ‘It’s time for peace. Legalize.’

“It will (happen) but it’s not going to be as quick as they said it would. It will take a long time,” she said.

Russell Barth, a longtime marijuana activist, echoed those thoughts and questioned why the government needs to prolong what can be changed now, suggesting immediate decriminalization.