November 11, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario

Remembrance day!

Remembrance day was an awesome success. We got there around 9:45am to find that they did not have a wreath for the Freedomtour but they still let us in so that we could get to the bottom of the mising wreath mystery ( there was no mention of the Freedomtour wreath on their list either)

We managed not to get booted out and a couple of service men told me that there were always a few wreaths unclaimed and I should just lay one of those, so with a few minuets before the wreath laying I took one from the dozen or so not claimed.

Well what a shock to see that the wreath I grabbed was the same one that I assisted in laying last year! I had been looking for the lady from last year whom I had assisted but she did not show up so it was quite appropriate I thought to lay her wreath for her this year.I also attached a Freedomtour handout to the wreath.

Next up was Mr. Harper shaking hands and coming toward me but he stopped before he got to me and headed to his spot to watch the military parade. I would not have shook his hand anyway, instead I was going to give him the Freedomtour handout.

I did manage to give him the handout after the parade just before he got in his car! I said "Mr. Harper may I give you this, sir" and he reached out and took it from me, then got in his car with it.

During the parade I stood next to Stephan Dion and conversed with him about a few things. I thanked him for his efforts during the election, telling him that I thought he gained respect and credibility as the campaign wore on and that because of that Harper did not get a majorty, I also told him I hoped he would continue to work for Canada because he has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge and that there are not enough good leaders in Canada.

I again this year met with Damion Oakley, a senior Ottawa police officer who agrees with the goals of the Freedomtour. He thanked me again for my efforts and was very happy to take my L.E.A.P. handout c/w the Freedomtour insert. We again had our picture taken alongside the same war veteran as we did last year.

It was a near perfect ending for this years Freedomtour which is fast becoming a force.

Neil Magnuson
freedomtour.ca

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November 10, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario

Tomorrow is Remembrance day, the day where we remember the sacrafices of our forefathers who were willing to die for the freedom of the generations to come.

Their amazing selfless acts of courage and compassion must never be forgotten.

We must not only remember that they died, but we mostly need to remember WHY they died.

Freedom- is the right to do or not do, whatever you want to do or dont want to do, without any govt, interferance, coersion or prohibition unless you unreasonably interfere with someone else.

We should really think about this and not disrespect their efforts with complacency. instead we need to wrest our freedoms back from those who would enslave us.

Lest we forget- that they died for our FREEDOM.

FREEDOM is a right you were born with and is worth fighting for.

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November 7, 2008 - Ottawa, Ontario

I have now bid farewell to Toronto, The week went by fast, still it was great to be able to reconnect with many of those that I met last year as well as to make some new friends.

A huge thank you to Savio for providing me with a sanctuary and home base for my time there.

For the most part, the police I met were very accomodating And Yesterday I chatted for a good 20 min. with a Toronto officer who agreed with all my points and then spent the next 10 min. going over my L.E.A.P. handout.

I have now moved on to Ottawa where I am taking part in the Canadian Students For Sensible Drug Policy conferance for the next couple of days.

It was a great way to kick off the weekend for sure, I was pleased and honored to have the priviledge to open the evening with O'Canabis and just plain outright enjoyed myself the entire night.

A big thanks to Gary and Allison for getting me to Ottawa and a big thanks to the organizers for arranging accomadations.

I am really looking forward to the coming days of learning and sharing.

The Freedomtour is now in Ottawa, lest we forget that they died for our freedom.

November 6, 2008 - Toronto, Ontario

I have been having an awesome time here in Toronto visiting with many of the local activists. It was a blast taking part in the comedy night at vapor central on Young street and I am sleeping there over night tonight. I've met several cops here over the last few days and all of them have been open and friendly, agreeing with my points and taking my L.E.A.P. handouts (except for a group of officers on halloween night who would not take my handout).

I will be leaving for Ottawa early Friday morning to take part in a conference being put on by Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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October 31, 2008 - Toronto, Ontario

It was quite a night here in T.O for halloween. The streets were filled with an amazing array of crazy costumed party animals, (although for my liking there were way to many guys dressed up as women).

I again tis year went as Bladerunner, skates and all, but this time I wore a mask that made me look like I was 100 yrs. old. I gave out lots of L.E.A.P. handouts to both trick-or-treaters as well as adults (mostly to adults dressed up as cops).

We started out at Vapor central which has had a complete makeover since last year, then with Savio, Trish, Jesse, Chris Goodwin and a very prego Steph, headed out onto the streets.

It was a crazy scene filled with costumed revelers and people taking their pictures. Many people were drunk and the whole thing was near pandaemonium with hardly a sign of any real police to be seen. It's great to see people being able to party their faces off without interference.

Yesterday we went to the Hot Box cafe for a nice visit with a packed house of friendly people including the Rev. Devine who was my escort vehicle driver/photographer for the Vancouver Island leg of the first Freedomtour 3 years ago.

I will stay here in Toronto until this coming Thursday for anyone who wants to hook up with me.

I am now in Toronto after spending a night in Barrie With Kevin were we stayed for a couple of nights last year, and already I've had some interesting encounters including one with a T.O. police officer who took my L.E.A.P. handout but told me he already had one given to him recently by another L.E.A.P. member which is a good start for sure.

October 28, 2008 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

It was great to get to know the area and some of the people here.

Moments ago I placed a L.E.A.P. handout on a police car but other than that I have yet to encounter any police personel here thus far.

A huge thanks to Adam and his family for putting me up and helping with my needs. For me it has been a real priviledge to be able to spend some time with such loving and respectfull people. I very much look forward to coming here again next year.

Also a big thank you to Rob and the Planetary Pride store for the support.

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October 27, 2008 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Having a good time here in the Soo meeting people and spreading my handouts around. Last Friday I tried to visit the Mayor but was met with another disappointment,so I had to settle for a chat with an assistant. There have been way too many Friday's with the mayor's being away for it to be a co-incidence. (a woman in a place called Neil's diner recently reminded me there are no co-incidences).

On the way out I was posting my notices when a civil servant told me I was not allowed in City Hall with my skates on. I told him that I had already been up to the mayors office and imo it was a silly rule that should only be enforced if there is someone doing things to interfere unreasonably with other people and in my case I was moving quite safely from point a to point b.

We talked for quite a while. As I told him of how in Nelson they have outlawed dogs(even on a leash) hacky-sacking, music of any sort (without a hard to get permit) skateboards, and skates he opined that they had gone to far! Well I said all of those behaviors can cause problems if done in certain bothersom ways so to have them on the books can be handy for by-law enforcement people. That we love the by- law off. when they use their power to stop someone from unreasonably interfering with the rest of us. But we hate the by-law off. when they just enforce laws by the book to steel our money for no good reason and especially when the use their position like a bully. He really did get it and I believe he will now be a kinder gentler and more reasoned public servant.

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October 25, 2008 - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

The Freedomtour will be holding an information session today at 4:20 pm in Sault ste. Marie at the Arcadia coffee house on Queens St.East.

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I really enjoyed tonights info session at the Arcadia coffee house in the Soo. It was an intimate affair with myself on a stool with a mic addressing what was in the end, a couple of dozen local people for around 3 hours.

A big thanks to Adam for is work in making it happen and for spinning some way cool tracks during the breaks.

I really appreciated all those I spoke with and it was a great night of communicating and learning for all involved including myself.

Sault ste. Marie will definitely be a stop for the Freedomtour in the years to come.

October 24, 2008 - Thunderbay, Ontario

I have now bid farewell to Bryce and co. in Thunderbay. Bryce is certainly to be thanked for all his help for the second year in a row. He made sure I got to where I needed to be and I have come to feel very much at home with him and his family.

During my time there I talked with many people about the issues and handed out dozens of both my Freedomtour handouts as well as the L.E.A.P. handouts.

On the last day we went to the Legion for a friendly chat with the lady in the office there who was very supportive of the ideals of the Freedomtour as they are in nearly (Nelson being the only exception) all the Legions I visit.

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October 21, 2008 - Thunderbay, Ontario

Id like to thank those who came out to the event at Lakehead U. on Monday night. I always enjoy meeting new people and I appreciated all the kind words of support. The event was video taped and I will do my best to get it posted.

I will now head east within the next couple of days. The vehicle from Calgary has not yet arrived (and may never) so if no other way presents itself I will be taking the bus to Sault Ste. Marie.

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October 17, 2008 - Thunderbay, Ontario

I've been doing the Freedomtour thing here in Thunder Bay, handing out my info handouts and chatting with people about the issues.

Also been promoting this Monday nights info session being held Between 7 and 10pm at Lakehead university in lecture hall# UC0050.

Bryce has done an excellent job of organizing this event complete with local sponsors, Red Earth, Rainbow DVD and the Natural Habit store.

I visited the Mayors office today but she was away for the rest of the day so I just left my handouts with her assistance and had a brief chat about the tour.

We then went to the Thunderbird police station where we were told that there was no chief or even an officer available to talk to me so we just left our handout with the receptionist and a few more strategically placed around the waiting area.

Then it was off to the R.C.M.P. station where the woman behind the glass said that they had recently spoken with a L.E.A.P. person and already had the handout. I explained that my handout had an additional insert worth reading and she happily took it from me and wished me safe travels.

We also posted some info in the mall as well as our poster promoting Monday night.

The weather is back to being very nice for the last few days, I don't think there's been even close to 10 days rain on the tour so far this year. I feel quite blessed

Neil Magnuson

October 13, 2008 - Dryden, Ontario

On our way to Thunder Bay Bryce and I stopped at the pizza hut in Dryden where last year we met Dale who was awesome and let us stay the night with her. She still works there but was not working that day. We did have a nice chat with some of the other employees there and managed to create quite a buzz about the Freedomtour.

I also stopped in at the O.P.P. station next door and gave them a L.E.A.P. handout along with a quick explanation of what we're talking about.

In the L.E.A.P. handout this year I include a Freedomtour insert that addresses the costs of drug prohibition on policing on the front side and the definition of freedom plus more on the back side of the page.

Here is what is on the front page;

THE HIGH COST OF DRUG PROHIBITION ON POLICING

" There is nothing more damaging to the respect for goverments than the prohibition laws" Albert Einstein

The attempted prohibition of some drugs brings with it a very heavy cost to members of the law enforcement community. It is with great disrespect for the police that politicians burden them with the task of trying to enforce these laws.

The main problem of course being that the very act of prohibition entices some people into the behavior which results in an increase in demand and a black market to handle the supply. The more harsh the potential punishment the more dangerous the job of policing becomes.

One of the other problems is that police no longer garner the respect of the public who see the hypocracy, corruption and the wasting of precious tax dollars that goes along with prohibition. The allure of major cash and "the life" offered by the drug trade is to much to turn down for many of our youth especialy those who live in poverty. For too many of our young people drug dealers are cool and the police are to be feared.

In fact it is widely held that the prohibition of these substances has far more to do with money for corporate intrests than it does about our governments caring about us not being able to handle certain drugs due to their addictive nature and potential harm. If the latter was the case it would be alcohol and tobacoo that were prohibited and certainly not cannabis.

Adults deserve respect to make their own decisions and to endure whatever natural consequences arrive from those decisions, not to have public servants inflict harm on them for making choices that others may disagree with. It is the right of the individual to chart his own course in life as it is the role of police to serve and protect those rights and to intervene only when harm is caused (or about to be caused )one to another.

As police lobbyists look to increase their budgets and payrolls to fight the war on drugs they are opting for jobs over lives and doing a disservice to the individual officers that they are supposed to be representing.

There is an alternative, a large and fast growing group of past and present members of law enforcement who are speaking out about the harms to police being caused by drug prohibition. Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

As was determined in 2002 by the Canadian Senate special committee on illegal drugs-

"The continued prohibition of Cannabis jeopardizes the health and well-being of Canadians much more than does the substance itself."

Please check out the website leap.cc

Help serve and protect the rights and freedoms of your fellow Canadians.

October 11, 2008 - Kenora, Ontario

I have now hit all my bases in Kenora Ontario, Kenora is a small town that is very pretty at this time of year with the leaves on the trees nearly done changing colors.

I visited the mayors office on Friday but of course he was not there. I don't think I've ever found a mayor in on a Friday, certainly not a Friday afternoon, Ah the perks of working for the people.

I had a nice chat with the folks at the local legion, had my presentation well received at the Kenora police station and went to the local paper where I spoke to a receptionist about the Freedomtour and left my handouts.

I also visited the campaign offices of the Liberals and Conservatives where I was able to educate the people in the offices about the futility of trying to prohibit drugs as well as the intended role of public servants.

I have been staying with Mort and Emily who have done a wonderful job of taking care of me and my needs while providing for me a place of solitude.

I will be sad to leave their care but the tour must go on and Bryce from Thunder åBay is on his way here to get me.

October 9, 2008 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

I have now finished my time in Winnipeg. Although I don't find there to be much in Winnipeg that would make me want to stay here I do enjoy being here and I do like the people I know that live here. Roman who owns the Wild Planet music store and let me stay at his house, he is an awesome and cool guy who makes me feel welcome and at home.

Johnny B always goes out of his way to impress me and certainly did so this year. Thanks to the My Two Sons store on McPhillips for their support again this year.

Thanks to Chris Bours for helping me get to where I need to be and for his support. I dropped my handouts off to the CBC for their perusal, went to city hall and left my handouts with the Mayors asst. after a conversation, spent some time at the university on Portage posting my stuff talking with students and giving out handouts and I had an interesting chat at the Winnipeg police station.

One of the people I talked to there was a volunteer who had "lost her brother to drugs" she was in quite the quandary as she did understand that prohibition only makes things worse and doesn't work, but still could not accept the idea that drugs should be available if so desired by adults thru a controlled and regulated system. I am not pro-drug although I think it's fine for someone to use whatever they want, It's they're life no one else's, I'm anti-prohibition. There is a big difference.

Pharmaceutical companies are pro- drug because it's in their interest that people buy and use their drugs. My interests are in getting the freedom our forefathers were willing to give up their lives for.

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October 1, 2008 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Freedomtour is now in Winnipeg and of course in the hands of some of our extended family members. I will greatly miss Jon and Linny who for the second year has opened up their home and their hearts to me, also to Pat, Jordan, Heather and many others from Brandon who always make me feel welcome and appreciated.

I was honored on Thursday eve. at a music concert at the Lady of the Lake to be able to say a few words and to sing O'Cannabis to the nearly full house to rousing applause. It truly warms my heart to receive that level of appreciation for the message of the Freedomtour.

Here in Winnipeg this morning on our way to Roman's new Wild Planet location, to open on Wed. (Sth. end of Osbourne st.) we passed the Park Theater which is displaying on it's marquee, that the Freedomtour is in town. How cool is that!

I've been in Winnipeg for the last few days helping Roman re-open the Wild Planet store at it's new location in Ozborne village. Roman allowed Jack and I to use his store last year as a base while in Winnipeg on the Freedomtour.

Over the course of the last few days I've been educating those around me as always and now that the store is open I am back to more talk and less work.

I continue to get huge kudos from those I talk to with respect to the goals of the Freedomtour. These issues are very important and timely in these trying times.

Neil Magnuson freedomtour.ca

September 26, 2008 - Brandon, Manitoba

Here in Brandon I had a very nice visit at the local legion. As usual everyone there was very supportive of the Freedomtour. There is a real consensus at the legions I've visited about being upset at why our men and women are over there anyway. We support the troops but not the mission! They should be brought home as soon as possible!

I guess I should also say that not only are the people warm here but the weather has been for the most part fabulous, it does get a little cold at night (by my standards) and yes the trees are turning and it is beautiful.

I'm now in Brandon Manitoba where all my previous memories are flooding back and I feel I'm back at home in many ways. I'm certainly being made to feel like family by my hosts again this year, Jon and Lyndsey.

Today I went and chatted with Mayor Dave Burgess who I've now met 3 times. He's a nice enough man but very much represents the business interests in Brandon and I think feels more like the man in charge than a public servant.

He never seems to have much time for me and seems nervous as well.

He was however nice and gladly took both my Freedomtour handout (12 pages double sided) as well as my L.E.A.P. handout assuring me he would find the time to read them.

From there I went to Brandon University where I spent a couple of hours putting up my info sheets on their bulletin boards, handed out handouts and chatted with students and profs. Without question, there was a buzz created on campus about the Freedomtour and the issues.

I also today had a very enthusiastic meeting with Dave Barns the local Green party candidate who just got back from joining Elizabeth May on the train to Winnipeg. We had a good chat about some of the issues exchanged literature and agreed to meet up with some other friends and supporters in a day or so.

I dropped by the local court house today and walked into the main waiting area said hello to a man seated there, posted several of my sheets on the bulletin board, placed down a couple of L.E.A.P. handouts and proceeded down the hall to hang some more.

On my way back thru I saw the man reading the L.E.A.P. handout and asked him what he thought of it. He said it made sense and that not much does these days. He agreed with my points about the issue and at some point mentioned he was the head custodian (janitor I'm sure) of the courts. I said "oh, so you're the guy with the job of removing my info sheets". He said "Yeah, but these won't be coming down for a very long time". I laughed and thanked him as I left.

I also went to the Brandon police station, had a chat about prohibition, and dropped off my L.E.A.P stuff. It is just so ridiculous that your allowed to poison yourself with cigarettes and the like but we spend tax dollars to mess you up if you try and feel better (medicate) with a non lethal herb. The police know it's wrong but until the politicians "fix" the problem they are just "doing their job".

They need to be better than that, they need to know the difference between right and wrong and stop enforcing laws that are wrong and harmful to us, who pay them to serve and protect us.

Hell the dam corporate drug co. don't even pay hardly any taxes so why should our police be protecting them.

It's just so wrong.

September 21, 2008 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

It was great to see a couple dozen people come out to the Freedomtour rally in Saskatoon Saturday eve. A big thanks to Tanya for getting it organized on short notice. I spoke to the people for close to two hours and was impressed by the welcome and the attention that I was given.

It was a good lead up to what will certainly be an ever growing annual event. It was cool to be able to finally meet Duffy moon and a big thanks to all who came out and made me feel at home.

I really feel that the Freedomtour accomplished a lot this year in Saskatchewan, Thanks in large part to Jason G who for the third year took me in as family, giving me the run of his house as well as a truck to use as I wanted. It was J who came up with the idea and the material for the signs we made up and erected right beside the Conservatives election signs on the highway boulevard. The signs read;
STEPHEN HARPER SAYS
CANNABIS USERS ARE CRIMINALS!!!
ARE YOU A CRIMINAL??? CALL YOUR MP.

I also need to thank Tim from the Head to Head store for his support and Darrin from B&B hydroponics, Leon for printing me up a ton of both my Freedomtour handouts and L.E.A.P. handouts and of course Tim in Moose Jaw as well as to all those good people that have wished the Freedomtour a safe and successful trip.

I'm always sad to leave my friends in Saskatchewan but the Tour must now continue east.

September 20, 2008 - Regina, Saskatchewan

For the Freedomtour it was an awesome day.

There was the Leader Post article in the first section of today's paper that looked even better in print than it did online.

Just after lunch I went to the City Hall and managed to have a meeting with Mayor Pat Fiaco that went really well. I also had a decent talk at the Regina police station about L.E.A.P. with the duty officer.

After that I happened upon a large bus with a security detail that I thought must belong to Stephen Harper but it turned out to be Stephan Dion's campaign.

I quickly parked and although I only managed a look and a nod from Mr. Dion as he was getting back on his bus (I met and chatted with him about the Freedomtour last year in Ottawa on Remembrance day), I did however get to talk at length with the head of his RCMP security team who took my L.E.A.P. handout, thanked me for my efforts and wished me luck on the rest of the tour.

I also got to talk to the Liberal campaign manager as well as the Liberal candidates from pretty much all of Saskatchewan that were gathered there. I gave them Freedomtour handouts, thanked them for standing up to be counted and wished them luck in defeating those fascist conservatives.

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September 16, 2008 - Regina, Saskatchewan

I'm now finished up in Moose Jaw after hitting most of the usual stops, Police station, City Hall, the court house where I posted my usual handouts on the bulletin board, the local media and the Legion.

Unlike that weird experience at the Legion in Nelson, my visit to the Legion here found a huge level of support from both the members and the office personel. There is much disatisfaction with the way our public srevants are abusing their public trust.

I am now in the arms of our extended family in Regina where I have use of a vehicle and so will be doing the regular Freedomtour stuff for the next few days.

I will be in Saskatoon for a rally next Sat. that is confirmed

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Civic Square at City Hall
Street: 222 3rd Avenue North
City/Town: Saskatoon, SK

September 13, 2008 - Craik, Saskatchewan

Last night I attended the 3rd anual Craik music/hemp festival. It was previously held in a hemp field but that was impractical so it was held this year in the local park. It also was not as much about hemp as in the past but in my conversation with Joe, the main organizer, he would like to have it more about hemp and politics in the future. We agreed to keep in touch about next years event and we are both exited about having the Freedomtour be there in force to take part in next years event. Craik is where HT Naturals (Formerly Hemptown Naturals) are constructing a factory to be used in the proccessing of hemp, something that's sadly lacking in Canada. Ethical hemp textile retailers don't sell Canadian hemp textiles due to the fact that our hemp is currently shipped to Asia for proccessing and so to bring it back and sell it in Canada means that it has travelled much farther than the hemp textiles being grown and proccessed in Europe.

At the festival in Craik I had a chat with one of the venders who told me she's good friends with a supreme court judge. She says that when she asked him privately about why cannabis would be illegal, because obviously it makes no sense, he said it was because the money generated thru taxes and fines was the main thing supporting the whole (in)justice system in Canada

September 12, 2008 - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

I am now in the hands of some of our "Family" members in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

A huge thanks to Tim and his family in Moose Jaw for taking care of the Freedomtours needs again this year. Tim's kindness allowed for the Moose Jaw stop to be both relaxing and effective while also making it hard to move on but the tour must continue.

Freedomtour says thanks to Alberta

The Alberta leg of this years Freedomtour was awesome with the 3 planned rallies in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge going off without a hitch as well as the impromptu rally in Medicine Hat. Thanks so much to all those who took part and helped out, in particular Keith and Debbie Fagin, Kevin from Creative Factor, Carlo's and Gerrardo, Davey and family, Kelly Christie (Green party candidate in Harpers riding, GO KELLY!) Tim Persons and the staff at Hemporium, Fred and co. at the Next Level, Velocy at Hemproots and the Bongs and Such store.

In Edmonton thanks so much to Marge, Todd and April, Dennis and Zoe from Bogarts and the rest of the Edmonton 420 folks, also to Tamara and Alvin, Gord and Brenda in Lethbridge and a huge thanks to the B.O.B. crew in Medicine Hat; Sarah, Kim and Richard for looking after me while there and for letting me know that my visit was inspiring to many - all 3 years has had a very important part to play in the Freedomtours success.

Thank you all so much for being part of the Freedomtour team.

Neil Magnuson, freedomtour.ca

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September 11, 2008 - Medicine Hat, Alberta

On my final day in Medicine hat I visited the Medicine hat police station where they happily took my L.E.A.P. handout as I explained that the tour was about addressing the costs of drug prohibition on policing. How that it's obviously not working and is also obviously making things worse what with all the gangs and drugs everywhere we're just making millionairs out of gangsters and criminals out of poor kids and decent people.

I also paid a visit to the local legion and to the local library where I found out they recently decided to ban Cannabis Culture magazine and kick out any young people who asked for it. I did my best to help them understand the issues.For those who are unsure about what the Freedomtour is about here it is; The Freedomtour is an awarness campaign designed to educate with regards to; What FREEDOM is -The right to do or not do, what ever you want to do or don't wany to do, without any gov't iinterference, coercion or prohibition unless you unreasonably interfere with someone else. What the ROLE OF GOV'T is supposed to be - PUBLIC SERVANTS. What the DANGERs and COSTS of drug PROHIBITION are - Major damage and Billions of dollars. What the value of HEMP is - It can literally SAVE OUR PLANET.

Ultimately the goal is to wake up and educate Canadian citizens and Gov't and corporate elite, so that they know the truth. Then to make sure that the elites know that we know and then to make sure that they know that we know that they know we know. Then perhaps we can get our rights back thru the courts, the political process and thru a peaceful evolution instead of a violent revolution.

Limited, accountable, transparent PUBLIC SERVANTS.

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September 9, 2008 - Medicine Hat, Alberta

I am being made to feel at home here in Medicine Hat. It was an interesting day. It started out with me feeling like this was a town with some closed minded people, one old guy just couldn't get what I was trying to get accross, he kept insisting that I was promoting the use of drugs. I'm saying that to try and prohibit drugs increases the demand and the abuse, it doesn't make things better it makes things worse with the quality and purity of the drugs in the hands of thugs who will sell to anyone of any age.

Next up was the woman behind the counter at the local "drug" store where I was buying a newspaper. I joked about the front cover which showed four determined Calgary cops who were happy because the city had decided to come up with $25 million for a couple hundred new police officers to shoot it out with the gangsters on the streets of Calgary. I commented that I was pleased to see that the drug war was soon going to come to an end, what with all the additional funding and guns etc. She shot me quite the glare throughout my speil and left me feeling like I was in some small backwoods U.S.A. town.

Things improved when I went back to get some copies that were being made up for me at a local copy store.There a clerk came and asked me if I was waiting for the Freedomtour copies, when I said I was, she said that she had been reading my stuff and had agreed with everything she had read. Soon they were done and brought out by the other clerk who also liked the goals of the tour, so I left them a copy and headed for City hall feeling much better about Medicine Hat.

At City hall I met for a while with the Mayors assistant Debbie and shared with her the reasons for the tour. She took my hand out and my phone # saying she would call me if the Mayor could find time to see me in the next day or two. From there I went to the park accross the street where in no time I was talking to some of the local young people who were joined by several more and and then some more. It turned out to be an imprompto rally in the park where I was able to educate and entertain all those who were there for over two hours. I found it to be very cool.

Happy to report that I found a cheap used video camera today that will do the job

Neil Magnuson,

September 6, 2008 - Taber, Alberta

Stopped for a faulty tailight in Taber Alta, (just east of Lethbridge) the alleged smell of cannabis resulted in handcuffs, hours of detention and charges for possession of cannabis and for possession of cannabis resin.

It was an outrageuos example of how our tax dollars are being wasted.

The police actions did nothing to protect or serve canadians, they're actions just caused harm to a couple of decent harmless people.

In the proccess the officers involved were seriously educated and admitted as much, the lead cop saying he was happy to have met me, thanked me and moved to shake my hand (I refused, nor did I thank him) he reminded me to find him my leap stuff, told me he was open minded and said he was unable to tell me his "honest" opinions about these matters. It's late and I'm pissed off and tired so I will elaborate more later.

Unfortunatly I do now need most things, although theres nothing lacking that will stop the tour that is gaining awesome momentum and support, but the accident wiped out my laptop, the treating yourself magazines some of my clothes other sellables etc. The video camera I brought ceased to work and the one Calgary 420 was going to let me use had no charger and now in this event they took my seeds!

For anyone that wants to help in these matters I will be in Sask. soon and able to p/u anything sent there for the next 12 days or so.
The address is ;
box 949
Lumsden
SOG 3CO

Thanks, Neil

September 1, 2008 - Edmonton, Alberta

The Edmonton people have proven to me once again that we are all part of a huge love based family. It is awesome to see the unity between the Edmonton and Calgary 4/20 groups as several people came up from Calgary to join their Edmonton counterparts in putting on a rally to support the Freedomtour. A few dozen banner waving and enthusiastic people took part in the rally outside city hall between 2:pm and 5:pm on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

There were some good speeches over the bull horn and we gave away over $60.00 worth of handouts. We educated many of the people passing by and got lots of supportive honks and waves from the passing motorists.

At 4:20 there was a singing of O'Cannabis (the future international peace anthem) and a nice plume of sacred smoke was released. We were blessed to have a very nice by-law enforcement person stay with us for the whole rally to make sure no one interfered with us.

She happily took a L.E.A.P handout, thanked us at the end and said that she had learned a lot. We never encountered any Edmonton police but there were two police cars that drove by during the day and one of them gave us a nice wave. By all accounts there had been nothing like it seen in Edmonton since the rallies put on by David Malmo-Levine in the early nineties.

I will be staying in Edmonton until Tuesday so that I can visit a few more places here before I leave for Lethbridge for a rally at the B.O.B. headquarters on Thursday.

August 29, 2008 - Calgary, Alberta

I must say something about the Extravaganja event last Friday in Calgary. The sold out show was truly a great evening of laughter and ganja with vap. bags making the rounds all night and so many funny moments.

The Calgary 4/20 group did a fantastic job on every level putting on this FUNdraiser to raise money and awarness for Alberta's medical cannabis community. Many of the local cannabis friendly shops contributed to a great evening of giveaways, so a huge thanks goes out to Bongs and Such, The Next Level, Grassroots, The Hemporium, and KDK Distributors.

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August 25, 2008 - Calgary, Alberta

There was a nice group of supporters at Calgary City hall yesterday for the Freedomtour rally.

Those who took signs and held them down by the road got tons of support from the passing cars with honks , waves, peace signs and lots of thumbs up.

Other than a casual conversation with a security guard there was no sign of "authorities" at all. We did talk to lots of people passing by and gave out a fair amount of free literature. There was media present and I did interviews with CTV, the Metro as well as a university paper.

We got to watch the CTV segment on the 6:00 news. It was a pretty good story that hit many of the important parts of what we're trying to get out there.

They have a big gang problem here and are wanting to add another 400 police officers over the next 3 years. There would be a lot less job openings for gang members if the government would regulate current illegal drugs in ways that would not result in a lucrative black market. Gangs are primarily fueled by the demand for drugs. Prohibition creates gangs and gangsters. That why L.E.A.P says ALL drugs need to be legal and regulated.

It was a great afternoon and a very successful rally. The Freedomtour gives up a big thank you to the people of the Calgary 420 who are doing a great job of bringing some sanity and education to the province of Alberta.

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August 24, 2008 - Calgary, Alberta

I'm now in Calgary and very happy to be here due to the awesome support for the Freedomtour and the movement to repeal the drug prohibitions.

I was brought to Kelly Christie's house by Keith and Debbie Fagin, where I stayed the night, but not before we went out for a bite at a local bar. Just before we were to leave the d.j. allowed me to sing O'Cannabis to the patrons of the bar. Who in B.C. would have believed that the singing of O'Cannabis would be a big hit on a Friday night in a Calgary bar?! It certainly was as there was a rousing round of cheers and applause when I hit that final note.

Yesterday I was the guest of honor at a bbq put on in a Calgary park by the commpassion club. It was a very nice gathering of medical cannabis users and their families. A big thanks to all involved, it was a good time for sure.

I stayed with Keith and Debbie last night and today we're off to a Freedomtour rally at city hall in the sunshine.

Neil

August 19, 2008 - Nelson, BC

I am now winding down my time here in Nelson and will be heading to Cranbrook this evening. I'm not skating this part of the tour this year, although It is one of the most beautiful stretches of the tour.I skated it last year and found it to be unsafe at many points as it is mostly just a single lane in each direction and there are some sharp corners. Also the road itself is very rough and bumby with lots of cracks and ruts.

I had a great visit at the Nelson police station yesterday with an officer named Brant. he listened and agreed with litteraly everything I had to say about how prohibition puts our police in danger, does not stop the use or abuse of drugs, makes bad guys rich while generating disrespect for govt's at all levels and creating a culture of corruption.

When I explained how cannabis prohibition suppresses the production and use of hemp and what that results in he agreed that something needed to be done. I asked him to discuss the issues with his fellow officers and that they should write letters and lobby the feds to repeal the laws.

I gave him the L.E.A.P handout and explained what L.E.A.P is about, he gladly took it and thanked me for being a concerned citizen and taking the time to visit.

I also had a nice visit at the compassion club started about 8 years ago and run by a determined and motivated young man named Phillip. the compassion club is doing fine work here with no interferance from the police. We need more people to follow this course and open legitamate clubs.

I was not so pleased with my visit to the local legion, first they gave me a hard time about coming in as I am not a member but after I explained myself was permitted to enter and have a tomato juice. About half way thru my juice and well into discussing some of the problems we're addressing on the Freedomtour with some fellow patrons, the woman who gave me a hard time on the way in tapped me on the shoulder and said I had to leave because of my conversation. She said it was a private club and there was no political talk aloud. I tried to explain I was talking about truth and freedom, issues that the legion says they're all about, but she would hear none of it and forced me to leave without allowing me any chance to help her understand that I support the legion and the veterans.

Truly a strange response that I have never wittnessed in any legion before, I can only think that she must have misheard what I was saying.

It has been another great visit to Nelson and I am sad to be leaving. A huge thank you to the Holy Smoke crew, Allen, Paul and Dustin, for putting me up and looking after my needs while here. Make sure you visit and support them when in Nelson.

Neil,
freedomtour.ca

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August 14, 2008 - Nelson, BC

After an amazing six days at Shambhalla, experiencing the love based freedom that that we envision for the future of the planet, the Freedomtour is now in Nelson.

A huge thanks to the crew at the Holy Smoke for allowing us (myself, Dove and my son Dan) to sleep the last two nights in the store and to use it as a home base.

Nelson is a very cool place with almost no chain stores and a great selection of eclectic characters to entertain and enlighten you.

The accident on the way to Vernon resulted in some of my clothes being strewn onto the road where there was some battery acid, It put holes in the seat of my hemp pants that were provided by Marc Emery. I am pleased to say that they were replaced for me by Nick at the Still Eagle hemp store here in Nelson. They also gave me a couple pair of hemp socks and have provided me with hemp gear on all three Freedomtours. Still Eagle is a must visit when in Nelson.

August 5, 2008 - Vernon, BC

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August 2, 2008 - Vernon, BC

An absent minded woman crashed into the back of the escort vehicle at high speed yesterday totaling her car and thanks to her air bag, only breaking her leg in the process (subsequent to further tests at hospital). We had the big Freedomtour sign on the back of the truck c/w the four way flashers and I was carrying the flag as usual, going about 15km an hr., theres no way she should not have seen us!

Greg, who was driving the escort truck, was not badly hurt but had a bump on his forehead and some minor neck pain. His truck sustained considerable damage to the rear as well as other problems but was drivable and able to take me to Vernon after being cleared by the police. Witnesses said they saw the woman looking out her side window and just not paying attention while going fast down a long stretch of two-lane hwy. with only a few other cars on the road at the time on a slightly overcast and otherwise perfect day at approx. 2:30 in the afternoon.

I was skating out in front of the truck about half way to Vernon when I heard the horrendous crash. I knew immediately what had happened (even though a shoulder check a few moments before did not indicate what was about to happen).

My heart sunk into my stomach the moment I heard it and I quickly went to see who was hurt. thankfully it was not as bad as it could have been (without her air bag) and soon the emergency personnel were on the scene.

My 5 tubs of stuff that were in the box of the pick-up were thrown about with 3 of them on the road. there was a debris field about 40 feet long behind her car with mostly her car parts but with some of my stuff mixed in. In the end I lost all most all of the stuff that D.M.L. sent with me on behalf of the Herb museum (about 5-6 hundred dollars worth) but it also could have been way worse.

Before this happened we were having a marvelous day, there were so many people showing their support while I skated I was thinking about what numbers of support a referendum might bring.

It is so far past being a controversial issue these day's, everyone now seems to agree that the prohibitions aren't working and in fact we're all pretty much fed up with the whole gang thing. It's time we regulate current illegal substances in ways that make sense for a civilized society and don't make millionaires of gangsters while threatening our neighborhoods.

So now I'm in Vernon being taken care of by Jack Elliman and co. We're off to the Komasket music festival for the next couple of days bringing the Freedomtours message with us.

Neil Magnuson and the Freedomtour team

July 30, 2008 - Kelowna, BC

After an extended stay in Vancouver to take care of some business including helping to relocate the Herb Museum to Marc Emery's 2nd floor, I am now in Kelowna being well looked after as usual.

Today I spent some time at a local legion discussing how important freedom is and how although Canada is one of the better places to live there are still serious concerns about how we are not enjoying the freedom that our forefathers fought for and in many cases died for.

I've handed out many handouts already and have been spreading awarness as usual. It was nice to visit Hemp City as well as Mary Jane's cool new store. I thank them both for furthering the cause and for supporting the Freedomtour.

The people I've met so far have been awesome and very supportive of our goals. The Okanagan is a wonderfull place to be at this time of year with warm days and some of the best fruit on the planet.

July 3, 2008 - Vancouver, BC

Cannabis day at the Art Gallery in Vancouver was an awesome event for the Freedomtour and everyone who attended. Under clear skies and a hot sun, thousands of herb lovers came out to celabrate cannabis and to protest its absurd prohibition.

At the Freedomtour table we handed out tons of info and had dozens of good conversations. I spent about 25 min. talking to 3 Vancouver Police Department members about the problems with prohibitin which was very well recieved with nods of agreement all the way. They even took and read a LEAP handout (c/w the new insert) while we spoke.

At 4:15 I sang O'Cannabis after which we threw pounds of rolled up cannabis to the eager crowd. I will spend the next couple of weeks in Vancouver organizing my affairs and spreading the Freedomtours message before heading east.

The Freedomtour needs your help with Funds, sponsorship and promotion. Join the team today!

Thanks so much to Andrew, Erika and their family for taking care of me so well from Victoria on. They certainly made me feel like I was at home. Andrew was awesome at being the escort for me as I skated as well as taking me to where I needed to go.

I was in Nanaimo Saturday evening for a real nice bbq with Steve, Amanda, Murray, Marie and their clan. It has become a Freedomtour tradition and a great way to end the Vancouver Island leg of the tour.

Thanks also to the Smoke Zone in Nanaimo for their support again this year.Other than the problems with heat and my physical conditioning (my bout with seafood poisoning before I left for Victoria set me back some) the Freedomtour so far has been a success with many info packs being handed out and many one on one conversations having been had, along with the media attention that we got.

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June 26, 2008 - Victoria, BC

The Kick-off from the Victoria legislature was a success. It was great to have a permit this year and so no argument with security about setting up a table and handing out info.

Did have a nice talk with a very supportive security gaurd who agrees with our goals took some info and wished us well.

Had several other good conversations while there as well including one with a fellow from Germany who was all too familiar with oppression abd was impressed by what we were doing with the Freedomtour.

We were late getting there by just over an hour so my apologies to anyone who had to leave before we got there.

At about 3:00 I put on my gear and began this years skate.

It was a perfect day for skating with overcast skies and a bit of a breeze. my escort this year for the Island run is Andrew Brown a young enthusiastic activist who lives with his wife and two kids in Ladysmith.

It was awesome skating to what was at times a chorus of honks and waves. Gave out several handouts along the way to people in cars who wanted to know what the Freedomtour is all about.

I made it to the base of the Malahat, where I'm about to head back to to continue the skate

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June 25, 2008 - Victoria, BC

Had a great day on the Freedomtour here in Victoria, my hosts Jason and Ann are fabulous making me feel at home and part of the family and taking me where I need to go.

Today I went to the Victoria Police and met with constable Shaw. We had a relatively short but friendly conversation. He took my L.E.A.P handout with the new Freedomtour insert that addresses the high cost of drug prohibition on policing and said he would circulate it thru the dept. He asked what he could do so I suggested he and his fellow officers write letters to their supperiors and to parlimentarians complaining about prohibition from their point of view. He nodded in agreement when I talked about the harsher penalties in Bill c-26 ceating an even more dangerous group of "drug dealers".

I dropped by City Hall but the mayor was not in so I just left some handouts with his staff who assured me he would get them and that they would read them.

Made my annual stop at the Sacred Herb who have given me a hemp item each year and this year they (Paul) was very generous and gave me a nice hemp belt.

Tonight I'm off to take in Reach for the Pot at Beacon park put on by Hempology 101.

Neil Magnuson,on the Freedomtour-

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In this unscripted single take 4 part interview with Neil Magnunson interviewer Jason Wilcox keeps it political while both Neil and Jason provide some comical attributes in the final part. All said many fundamental political concerns are being raised while addressing the BC3, the VICS constitutional challenge, Health Canada, and Prohibition, looking at it in all common sense and logic above all else. I had allot of fun in doing this video with Neil.

Neil is here in Victoria for three days then on Thursday the Kick Off of the 3rd Annual Freedom Tour beginning here at the legislature. Many links are given throughout the video for viewers to check out some aspects of the message Neil is going to be carrying key information to Police, Municipal, Provincial, and Federal officials as he move's cross country on roller blades. To me his message is pretty well spelled out in ending the drug war and why we need to.

Sincerely,

Jason Wilcox

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4