With the Federal government poised to legalize marijuana, the annual 4/20 rally and march is planned for Thursday in Yellowknife – and may be the last of its kind.
That’s according to Kim MacNearney, a local medical marijuana advocate and the rally’s organizer.
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“I’m excited to think this might actually be the last march,” MacNearney told Moose FM.
“Next April, you know, it could be [that legalization is] already in place and by next 4/20 we could all just actually hang out and celebrate 4/20 in a traditional way that the rest of Canada does.
“This could really be the last march and next year could really just be a celebration and enjoyment.”
This will be MacNearney’s sixth year being involved with the march. She says this year is less of a protest and more of a marijuana celebration.
“This year the push, the focus is going to be more about ‘Are we ready?’” she explained.
“Is the North ready? What’s the government doing to prepare and also the same medical, medicinal focus which is really my main focus.”
The march will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Somba K’e Civic Plaza beside city hall.
From there, participants will march down 49 Avenue, past RCMP headquarters, turn on 49 street past the courthouse, head south on Franklin Avenue to 53 Street and head back to the plaza at about, you guessed it, 4:20 p.m.
Folks will then have the chance to listen to a review of the new federal cannabis legalization legislation and have some cake.
In the past, 4/20 participants have smoked marijuana in the plaza, steps from RCMP headquarters without being charged or arrested by police.
RCMP stated they will respond to calls for service at the rally, but respect the public’s right to assemble.
