Annual 4/20 pot celebration marked on Parliament Hill
Health minister announces plan to introduce federal legislation to legalize marijuana next spring
Thousands of pro-marijuana demonstrators gathered on Parliament Hill with bongs, pipes and joints to mark 4/20, the annual pot celebration marked around the world on April 20.
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The crowd counted down from 10 as the seconds ticked toward 4:20 p.m., chanting "Happy 420" in unison as puffs of smoke wafted up over Parliament Hill.
Bit of a delay on this #420 countdown video due to jammed signals. Loads of people here <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/Iq1Y7WBZuD">pic.twitter.com/Iq1Y7WBZuD</a>
—@cfedioPrior to the countdown, speeches on the steps leading up to Centre Block focused on the Liberal government's promise to legalize marijuana — with a call to stop marijuana-related arrests and prosecutions until that time.
It was a sentiment shared in the crowd, especially as Health Minister Jane Philpott put a timeline for the law earlier in the day.
"We will introduce legislation in spring 2017 that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals," Philpott said during a speech to delegates at United Nations drug treaty talks in New York.
Veteran Rodney Fletcher says <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> govt should legalize pot now not next year <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> #420 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/L5jsh4ZKFX">pic.twitter.com/L5jsh4ZKFX</a>
—@cfedioMan handing out postcards to PM asking to stop arrests and prosecutions for pot now. "Sign and send if you agree." <a href="https://t.co/Lp3lfO2LlU">pic.twitter.com/Lp3lfO2LlU</a>
—@cfedioDanny Rousseau would like to see legalization sooner than spring 2017 #420 <a href="https://t.co/m8mRR7K0hp">pic.twitter.com/m8mRR7K0hp</a>
—@cfedioMany dressed up to celebrate while others handed out free supplies.
Gumby is also here to show support for marijuana #420 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/otttnews?src=hash">#otttnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/6tC7kfJ1EO">pic.twitter.com/6tC7kfJ1EO</a>
—@cfedioFilip is handing out seeds, pot leaf-shaped erasers and papers on Hill to celebrate #420 in Ottawa <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/bJpmITTt0O">pic.twitter.com/bJpmITTt0O</a>
—@cfedioCody Rousson says marijuana helps him with medical issues #420 <a href="https://t.co/wLDKvbHYk7">pic.twitter.com/wLDKvbHYk7</a>
—@cfedioA trio in tie-dyed shirts take part in the annual #420 celebrations on the Hill <a href="https://t.co/F4Jp60eMqC">pic.twitter.com/F4Jp60eMqC</a>
—@cfedioIt seemed like everyone was smoking something, though some joints were larger than others.
It took Stan Duhaime 2 hours to roll this joint #420 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/I2l0eR8PJA">pic.twitter.com/I2l0eR8PJA</a>
—@cfedioAfter a sunny day on Parliament Hill, with some drumming to cap off the event, the crowd thinned at around 5 p.m.
And now some drumming at the Centennial Flame. #420 <a href="https://t.co/jIvy7KrTMs">pic.twitter.com/jIvy7KrTMs</a>
—@cfedio