Hundreds of people occupied the grounds of the Manitoba legislature Friday to protest laws that restrict the use of marijuana.
This year saw crowds bigger than normal, as many schools in the city had coincidentally scheduled inservices.
The annual event happens every year on April 20 and is known as 4/20. Hundreds attend it to smoke pot on the grounds of the legislative building, without fear of being arrested.
"I'm here to show my support for the legalization of marijuana because everybody smokes it. Lets face it," said Walter McCullough, who attended the event Friday.
The inservice meant more students attended the event.
"I would like pot to be legalized. I don't find it harmful," said Destiny Taillieu, a Grade 12 student.
Hot dog cart and burger vendors in the area said the event is great for business.
Ashley Stulzer of El Torrito Barbeque said by Friday afternoon they had sold, "hundreds of burgers, hundreds of hot dogs, drinks, chips…"
Police kept an eye out for impaired drivers and traffic tie-ups on Broadway but otherwise did not interfere with the events.
"We aren't anticipating arresting for simple possession-related offenses," said Const. Natalie Aitken. "We do not condone that type of behavior, so we realize we are striking a balance."
Aitken did warn, however, that selling drugs or driving impaired would lead to arrests.
The event was originally started in California in the early 1970s by students at San Rafael High School.
-- with a report from CTV's Jeff Keele
