OTTAWA -- As the clock struck 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, a haze of smoke enveloped Parliament Hill, cheers erupted and a pungent smell wafted over downtown.

For at least a few hours on a cold April afternoon, some 9,000 people welcomed the opportunity to puff on a joint without legal hassle, getting stoned while speaking out in support of legalizing marijuana.

“I’ve been smoking for 20 years and it’s gone from hiding behind dumpsters to this,” said Dan, a 50-something from Alberta visiting Ottawa with his buddy Grant.

Neither man looked like your typical pothead and that was also a theme Saturday, as the age range varied as much as the methods of getting high.

There were blunts, bongs, joints, vaporizers and homemade pipes as far as you could stumble, but there was also a very clear message coming from the group of mellow demonstrators.

“I think most people here really want to see movement in terms of legalization and want to take a stand,” Kanata’s Kyle Arthous said as he puffed a joint the length of his forearm. “I’m sure there are plenty who just see it as a free pass to smoke without being bothered.”

This year’s event had more of an organized feel than in years past, with speakers from the Green and Liberal parties and the young Colorado lawyer who helped get weed legalized in that state. There was also money thrown at 4/20 in Ottawa and across the country this year, thanks to an investment from lottery winner Bob Erb, who has committed $1 million of his winnings to help get pot legalized. He chipped in $125,000 to pay for 4/20 events across Canada on Saturday.

Cops and paramedics kept an eye on the crowd from the perimeter, but potheads aren’t exactly known to get rowdy and there appeared to be few issues as the afternoon moved along.

“Where else do you see a demonstration where everyone’s best friends by the end,” wondered Amanda, from Orleans, as she waited for a giant bong to make its way back to her.

It wasn’t just about pot, either, as the few political types who spoke made a point of stressing the importance of voting, using the draw of legal pot to encourage the younger set to go to the polls.

“We know prohibition doesn’t work,” said Justin Reist of the Young Green Party. “It’s people like you and I who enjoy a joint instead of a beer (who can help).”

chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @chrishofley