Speaking loudly to be heard over top of a Bob Marley tune blaring in the background, Jamy McKenzie shares the ways in which marijuana has changed his life.
McKenzie, who has a number of medical conditions, including cystic fibrosis, diabetes and metabolic myopathy, said he used to be paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.
Since he was given a prescription to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, his pain has lessened, and he's been able to walk and function normally. He said he's also been able to get off a lot of his medications.
McKenzie was one of the organizers of a July 31 event in Memorial Park in support of the “hemp-cannabis movement.”
He said the city did not grant the event a festival permit, so it was classified as a protest instead, something which McKenzie said is “unfortunate.” He said he hopes that the event will be sanctioned by the city next year.
“We were not looking to protest,” he said. “We were looking to have a great time celebrating the movement.”
McKenzie said the purpose of the festival is to “get the word out to change this madness about (marijuana) prohibition.”
About 50 people attended the event, sitting under trees in groups, and smoking the occasional joint. Several musicians gave live performances.
Police presence seemed to be minimal, with one Greater Sudbury Police bicycle officer standing off to the side and watching the participants.
Murielle Bisaillon sold paintings with a pro-marijuana theme, as well as jewelry made out of hemp, at a July 31 event in Memorial Park in support of the “hemp-cannabis movement.” Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
McKenzie, one of two vendors at the event, runs an online business called Delta 9 Culture Shop (www.delta9cultureshop.ca) which sells paraphernalia related to consuming marijuana.
His booth displayed a wide variety of bongs and rolling papers, as well as items such as pro-marijuana t-shirts and pot leaf flags.
Murielle Bisaillon, the other vendor at the festival, was selling paintings with a pro-marijuana theme, as well as jewelry made out of hemp.
Hemp is a durable fibre which is made from cannabis, and used for a number of industrial purposes.
“It (the festival) is a little quiet, but hopefully it will be a success,” Bisaillon said.
David Dubois, one of the participants in the event, said he is infected with HIV. He said he uses marijuana to manage his symptoms.
“I've been smoking marijuana for 30 years, so why fix something that's not broken?” he said. “I'm still around after 30 years, and a lot of my friends aren't. It helps me to get through the day.”
Dubois said he's happy about a declaration made at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, which took place from July 18-23.
“(The declaration) asked to promote the fact that drug policy should be based on scientific fact, and not ideology,” he said.
