Cannabis activists are not happy with politicians and the police who have had them arrested, but are now hoping to benefit from the legalization of recreational cannabis.
At the 420 Toronto, some activists told Mosaic Edition that they paid a price for their activism. Some lost their investments, their stores shut down, and products confiscated while some went to jail, and paid hefty fines.
Activist Katherine Perry condemned the tax on medical marijuana.
One common theme from the 420 Toronto is that the government, and friends of those in power have hijacked the movement for legalization of cannabis. The whole exercise is now “a cash grab.”
A whistle was distributed as part of the symbolic instruments of the protest. The whistle was blown in place of their voices that they feel are being silenced.
The police was present at the event to enforce the noise by law. The police and plain cloth officials argued with Chris Goodwin to shut down the music because no permit was issued for the event in the first place.
The 420 Toronto like many other past events is a protest, says activist Chris Goodwin.
He said he could not get a permit and insurance for the event, but still went ahead to stage the protest in defiance of the policy.
As the government prepares for the final steps of legalization, highhanded law enforcement has been applied to private vendors and dispensaries of cannabis.
