Falls touted as pot capital

ACTIVISTS URGE LEGALIZED FARMING
By BRETT CLARKSON, TORONTO SUN

IT'S NO pipe dream for Matt Mernagh -- the pot enthusiast envisions a thriving and legal Niagara marijuana industry to rival the region's wineries. "This is a farming community, so let's make our farmers some money," Mernagh said.

"You can't make too much money off cucumbers, but you can make a lot off marijuana."

Mernagh, 31, will stress that point during today's Hwy. 420 Cannabis Conference in Niagara Falls.

The activist expects at least 500 people to show up for the rally, which will see the marchers descend on tourist mecca Clifton Hill this afternoon.

Today's event -- billed as A Day of Education, A Day of Fun and A Day of Action -- is intended to "roll back the recent hysteria" surrounding drug laws in both Canada and the U.S.

Noted marijuana advocates, including U.S. Marijuana Party president Loretta Nall and Vancouver-based activist David Malmo-Levine, will speak at a morning conference at the Niagara Falls Public Library before gathering for the march at 3:15 at Victoria Ave. and Hwy. 420.


Also: Area cannabis group in Canada to stir pot from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, including mention of the Rochester Cannabis Coalition