MARIJUANA LOVERS INVITED TO MARCH IN ACTON SATURDAY

Frankfurt, Toronto, London, Madrid, Prague And Acton?

Although it may not be as big or world renowned as those cities, Acton, like the other places mentioned and many more around the world, is to be the site of a Global Marijuana March on Saturday.

The event is to bring together marijuana-lovers in a "march for marijuana freedom and drug peace" according to one of the posters advertising the march that have been tacked up in Acton.

Although a local organizer has yet to be located by The Independent & Free Press or the Town of Halton Hills, Cannabis Culture Global Marijuana March co-ordinator David Malmo-Levine of Vancouver, said Acton is one of 160 communities participating in the event.

The Acton march is being advertised on the Cannabis Culture ( an event sponsor ) and Cures not Wars Web sites.  Another sponsor is www.pot-tv.net.

When asked why Acton was selected, Malmo-Levine said, "It chose itself."

"The organizer chose it," he said.  "There are lots of little towns involved."

Malmo-Levine said he had misplaced the computer link information to the Acton organizer, couldn't provide a name or phone number, and added the organizer made a conscious decision not to include his/her contact information on Web sites and posters advertising the march, and he will respect that.

"People will probably get together, probably move from one place to another and they will speak about cannabis," Malmo-Levine said about the Acton march.  He added it's a "very, very mellow" event.

In an e-mail to the Town of Halton Hills Malmo-Levine stressed," this is not a rock concert."

"It's a small gathering of peaceful protestors with no chance of violence or property damage and a minimum of hazards or of-fensive behaviour," he wrote in his e-mail to the town.

On Monday, Malmo-Levine said the march's purpose "is to call attention that there's a large desire for marijuana freedom and drug peace out there."

He said marijuana users and growers want the same rights and freedoms as coffee drinkers and coffee bean growers and distributors.

"We're in a drug war," he said.  "It's a horrible war against human autonomy and medical self sufficiency."

He has no idea how many people will attend the Acton event but said approximately 2,000 people have attended the Vancouver event in the past.

"Maybe, maybe not," Malmo-Levine responded, when asked if march participants will be smoking pot.  "If police outnumber the organizers and participants then discretion would probably be the better part of valour there."

Halton Regional Police Service is aware of the march.

Detective Sgt.  Don Cousens said police will have sufficient resources available that day.

"Any lawful, peaceful protest or demonstration, we will certainly observe," said Cousens.  "Any criminal activity including the use or distribution of any controlled drugs or substances will result in arrest and prosecution."

Barb Anger, the Town of Halton Hill's facility permit co-ordinator, said organizers have not applied for a permit for the march, but anyone can meet in the park.