Cody Van Gogh is worried about the Trudeau government's plan to legalize marijuana.
As he speaks to a crowd gathered around Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the annual 4/20 festivities, he describes himself as a professional roller and cannabis artist. He holds up a sample of his artwork — a unique piece that resembles an origami dragon.
But Cody's artistic creation also happens to be made from a massive 94 grams (!) of rolled weed and he's afraid it will land him in jail.
He's not the only one who has a unique story as people spread chatter about what the Liberal government's new legislation, introduced earlier this month, will actually mean.
As The Canadian Press reported a few days earlier, a suite of legislation introduced by the government would, once passed, establish a "strict legal framework" for the production, sale, distribution and possession of pot. It would make it illegal to sell cannabis to youth or use a young person to commit a cannabis-related crime.
And on this afternoon, the Hill's lawn is filled with dozens of groups of people huddled together, sitting in circles, passing joints and bongs around.
A sizeable RCMP presence watches the scene keenly, but doesn't try to stop the festivities. It's interesting, given the fact that the green stuff is not yet legal, but it's also not unusual. This is the one day a year where the law enforcement seems to let the activity slide.
I hung around for part of the celebration to capture a few moments and stories. Plenty of snacks went around as the distinct aroma weed overpowered the smells of spring, prompting many empty stares into the distance.
Here are some images and micro-stories from hanging out on the Hill on a cloudy and chilly 4/20 afternoon.
From left to right, Lucy Arnaquq, Salamoine Arnaquq, Josie Pudlat and Kamiqa Noah share a well-rolled joint. The group travelled all the way from Nunavut to be on the Hill for April 20, and were happy to smile for the camera. Salamoine suffers from leukemia and says marijuana is an important part of his therapeutic treatment. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Chris is a friendly marijuana user who spends his time at 4/20 celebrations asking fellow revellers to pen his sign wishing everyone a happy 4/20. It's a tradition he started four years ago at a pot celebration in Edmonton, and he's been doing it every year on 4/20 since. Part of the tradition includes a bag of brightly coloured permanent markers for people to choose from. I obliged with a nice pink sharpie. Photo by Alex Tétreault
Giovanni (left) and his friend Omer (right) enjoy a sizeable blunt on the Hill while listening to speakers. Omer, proud to pose with said blunt, says he really hopes the movement succeeds in legalizing marijuana. Photo by Alex Tétreault
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