THE POT-SMOKERS' HOLIDAY

Hundreds Light Up at U of G As Part of Celebration

GUELPH -All in all it was, as one might expect, a very mellow
gathering. More party than protest.

Several hundred pot smokers, largely in their late teens and early
20s, honoured tradition yesterday by gathering at the University of
Guelph's Johnston Green around 4:20 in the afternoon as part of the
annual worldwide 4/20 celebration -- the pot-smokers' holiday.

Braving chilly temperatures and a cold, driving rain, they huddled in
tents, under makeshift canopies and under trees, listening to a live
band playing reggae music, chatting with friends and smoking pot.

Lots of it.

Small joints. Bongs. Spliffs as big as a baby's arm.

Most being passed around among friends and people of similar mind:
that there is nothing wrong with the recreational use of marijuana.

April 20, at 4:20 p.m., is the holiday's holy moment.

"It's a tradition. It's the one time of the year everybody gets
together to smoke weed," said Fergo, 20, one of the few people willing
to talk to a reporter many seemed to think was either police or a spy
for university administration.

Fergo and his friend Luke agreed to be interviewed only after a mutual
acquaintance assured him there was nothing to worry about.

"Everyone just knows about it. We knew about it before we even came
here," said Luke, also 20. "I've known about 4/20 before high school."

While there seems to be some debate over just how the 4/20 celebration
originated, urban and internet legend has it starting with a group of
teenagers at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, Calif., in 1971.
The story goes that they used to meet at 4:20 p.m. to smoke pot
because 4:20 was when they finished their school detentions.

"It feels like a party, but it's supposed to mean more," Luke said.
"It's more of a social movement. To show the social acceptance of marijuana."

The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well. People sold brownies
and cookies. Someone else had cupcakes for sale.

There was no sign of police presence, either the city or university
kind.

"It's better than a bar scene," Fergo said.

"Everyone's just getting along and having a good time. If all these
people were in a bar there would probably be 20 fights right now. You
never see a fight on 4/20."

Guelph Police reported no calls or problems stemming form the event.