When Kim MacNearney first began organizing rallies in front of City Hall on 420, or April 20th SA国际影视传媒� an internationally recognized date when cannabis is celebrated and prohibition is protested SA国际影视传媒� there was always a SA国际影视传媒渞isk.SA国际影视传媒�

Pot was still illegal.

And even when the rallies at Somba K'e Civic Plaza grew SA国际影视传媒� from the inaugural protest in 2012, when it was just MacNearney and holding a lone sign, to MacNearneySA国际影视传媒檚 final protest last year SA国际影视传媒� the risk remained.

But on Saturday, MacNearney, who championed a long-fought battle against pot prohibition following her own arrest 10 years ago, celebrated her first 420 following the legalization of cannabis in October.

For MacNearney, it was like a SA国际影视传媒渂ig huge bag of bricksSA国际影视传媒� fell off her shoulder.

SA国际影视传媒淭he thing about (420 this year) is, theySA国际影视传媒檙e not protests anymore. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 no risk there anymore. You can go and be free with that plant,SA国际影视传媒� said MacNearney in a recent interview with Yellowknifer.

With MacNearney living in Nova Scotia, Somba K'e Civic Plaza didnSA国际影视传媒檛 see any colourful protest signs for the first time since 2012. MacNearney said she wished she could have made it up to Yellowknife for the big day, but she celebrated the annual tradition in her own, same way.

SA国际影视传媒淚 actually spent my 420 today at our local paraphernalia shop," she said. "There was a big sale and the store was full. It was lovely and it was a wonderful turn of events to spend it with, again, a group of strangers in celebration."

Reflecting on legalization: the good, the bad and the pricey?

Nearly half-a-year after cannabis became legal in Canada, so far, so good for MacNearney.

Save some SA国际影视传媒渆xpectedSA国际影视传媒� bumps along the road, including cannabis supply shortages due to too few producers, MacNearney said legalization has helped to open up conversations about the medical benefits of cannabis. It's drawing buyers away from the black market SA国际影视传媒� while dispelling lingering reefer madness fears, she added.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the conservative side of the country expected to see a bunch of bumbling stoners wandering around, bouncing off walls,SA国际影视传媒� said MacNearney. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 certainly not what we saw.

"The world didnSA国际影视传媒檛 change the next day."

In 2009, both MacNearney and her husband were charged after police seized several marijuana plants from their home. The couple were then convicted in 2014 and were sentenced to house arrest and community service.

When Yellowknifer caught up with MacNearney on legalization day at the uptown Liquor Store in Yellowknife, she said SA国际影视传媒渢o be persecuted for something so intensely and then to finally have a societal switch. I almost want to be like SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒業 told you that it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 that badSA国际影视传媒� or SA国际影视传媒榊ou treated me like a dirt bag and it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 that bad.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

But the other part of her, she said in October, was glad no one would have to experience what she experienced, again.

In 驰别濒濒辞飞办苍颈蹿别谤SA国际影视传媒檚 recent interview, MacNearney said she wants the issue of pardons for individuals with lingering weed charges addressed in the wake of prohibitionSA国际影视传媒檚 end.

SA国际影视传媒淗opefully theySA国际影视传媒檒l be looking to doing pardoning and clemency for previous criminal record holders," said MacNearney. "It would be useful if they can get that quickly automated in some fashion.SA国际影视传媒�

As for legal pot prices SA国际影视传媒� criticized as being too high and likely to send pot users back to the black market SA国际影视传媒� MacNearney isnSA国际影视传媒檛 too concerned.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think there is a is a significant percentage of black market buyers who switched to legal market even though it was a bit more expensive because you know what youSA国际影视传媒檙e getting,SA国际影视传媒� said MacNearney, adding allowing Canadians access to healthy cannabis was a pillar of the federal governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 plan to legalize weed.

Six months later, is the stigma still there?

MacNearney says sheSA国际影视传媒檚 seeing shifting attitudes towards cannabis use since legalization, but stubborn stigmas remain.

She said the best way to combat enduring stigma is through education.

SA国际影视传媒淭here was a lot of misinformation for many years during prohibition. And I think a lot of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to take the stigma away, is education and normalization SA国际影视传媒� realizing you can have a joint or a vape just as easily as you can have a beer or a cocktail," said MacNearney.

Cannabis can be a career, too.  Just ask MacNearney.

After being arrested and convicted for growing marijuana, MacNearney is now employed with a local cannabis production company.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 able to combine my years of professional employment and my years of advocacy and activism,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淣ow ISA国际影视传媒檓 working in the industry.SA国际影视传媒�