A skunky odor in the air Sunday signaled a protest and celebration as Winnipeggers lit up on “4-20.”

4-20 celebrations date back to the pot culture of California in the early 1970s but it became formally attached to April 20 when a group of Vancouver activists held the first day-long rally in 1995. Now the day is marked across the world.

There's a serious message behind the revelry as many partakers support legalizing marijuana, including Winnipegger and Canadian Cannabis Advocate Steven Stairs.

“This is a statement,” said Stairs. “This isn't just a gathering of people who want to smoke pot and get high or whatever you want to call it. No this is supposed to be a poignant message regarding a serious topic."

Colorado and Washington states recently legalized marijuana, stoking calls for legalization here in Canada.