Thousands show up for 420 celebration, some for political reasons

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – You could smell it from blocks away as 420 day celebrations got underway in downtown Vancouver Sunday. Thousands of people came to the event outside the Art Gallery, many to have a good time, but others say there’s a more important reason for the rally.

It’s time for the Federal Government to put their focus on real crime and legalize marijuana according to these participants:

“The decriminalization of marijuana will reduce gang violence,” says one man. A woman carrying a sign calling for legalization says there’s benefits for the government–and you. “If they were to take it into their control they could spend their tax dollars on better things for the communities.” Others say there’s no question the drug should be taken out of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. “Should have been legal. Should have always been legal.”

Legalization wasn’t the only political issue brought up with crowds. One man said many of the participants are environmentalists who believe hemp is the material of the future. “Marijuana can replace trees for wood and make building supplies and ropes so it’s not just a matter of getting high and the medical uses, but there’s that element to it as well which is very important.”

While the mood was mainly celebratory, people expressed their gratitude to be living in Canada where penalties for using pot are not as intense as the US. A sign hung off the art gallery calling for the freeing of Marc Emery, who is serving the final five months of a five year sentence in a Mississippi jail for selling cannabis seeds across the border.

For others, there was little thought behind why they came out to blaze up with friends, listen to live music and indulge in some of the baked goods being sold at dozens of booths set up outside the gallery. “Uhh, I like getting high,” said one man. Vendors were not shy about advertising their product, many openly selling packets of marijuana or pot-laced food in front of police officers, who were simply there to watch over the mellow crowd.

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