Dope fans air their enthusiasm
by Brian Foden

June 14, 1998 - Vancouver Province - provedpg@pacpress.southam.ca

While Vancouver's mayor and police chief attended a nearby drug conference, protesters smoked pot outside the Vancouver Art Gallery yesterday. Led by green-haired David Malmo-Levine, advocates of legalizeing pot attending a "smoke-in/hemp rally/love in" eagerly lit up dope handed to them. "It's good to smoke majijuana on the inside of the crowd, not the outside - and if you see someone being arrested and you don't think they should be, give them a hug and don't let go," Malmo-Levine told a crowd of of more than 100. The advice was unnecessary, since no police arrived.

It was no coincidence that next door at the Robson Square Conference Centre, an international symposium on crime prevention and drug treatment was under way. Hosted by a coalition spear-headed by Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen and police Chief Bruce Chambers the syumposium featured speakers from Sweden, Switzerland, and U.S. One speaker was Attorney-General Ujjal Dosanjh, who reiterated his call for a national drug strategy. Based on a 1994 report by a former B.C. coroner, the strategy includes mandatory life sentences for major drug importers and traffickers. It also involves more treatment programs for addicts and public education and awareness programs. "I believe very strongly that we need a multifaceted approach to this issue. There's action that needs to be taken," he said.

As for the illegal pot-smoking that took place just outside the conference centre? "I know nothing about it," Chambers said. "It's still an offence under the Criminal Code and, where appropriate, we will enforce it." Malmo-Levine, 27 said more protests are planned.

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