News » Canadian MMJ Activist Istvan Marton Dies After Hunger Strike

Istvan “Steve” Marton, 69, died in Port MacNeill Hospital on November 20th after over a month on a hunger strike to protest Canadian marijuana laws. He officially died of a heart attack which his doctor says the hunger strike and underlying health problems and stress contributed to it greatly.

“In his soul, he believed he was doing a heroic act and when police clamped down on him, it was so bad he knew he couldn’t do it any more,” says his sister, Juliana Bazso. He died on the day his story was published in the Victoria Times Colonist.

Friends and family are mixed as to whether Marton’s death will have any lasting effect on Canadian marijuana laws. Some believe it will act as a catalyst for change, but others believe it will be just another drop in the bucket, barely rippling the surface.

“I think his death will add to the pressure on government,” says his sister. Friend John McPhee is not so optimistic. “You can protest a lot of things, but nothing is ever going to happen,” he says.

One way or another, yet one more warrior for drug law reform has passed. The fight will continue both to remember those who fought before and those who will fight after us. The battles may be won or lost, but ultimately, the war will see our victory.

Today we remember Istvan “Steve” Marton and thank him for his contribution to the war for our freedoms.

Tags: Canada, istvan marton, medical marijuana, MMJ