SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There was a lot of coughing going on at Somba K'e Civic Plaza on Sunday afternoon.

Michelle Tremblay, left, Clyde Minoza, Jan Vallillee, Kim MacNearney, Michael Van Leeuwen and Evan Lamouelle end their pro-marijuana march through downtown Yellowknife at the Somba K'e Civic Plaza on Sunday afternoon. The demonstrators were marking the city's 4/20 event and said they want to make sure Prime Minister Justin Trudeau follows through on his campaign promise to legalize marijuana. - John McFadden/NNSL photo

That was because dozens of people were openly smoking marijuana as part of the fifth annual Yellowknife 4/20 celebration. More than 60 people - teenagers to senior citizens came out - some to smoke pot - others to support the marijuana legalization cause. Many of them signed a petition, calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to honour his campaign promise to legalize marijuana.

This was the fourth year the event was held beside city hall, just two doors down from the RCMP detachment. There were no police officers in sight.

The event was organized by Yellowknife resident Kim MacNearney. She and her husband were found not guilty in 2014 of cultivation for the purpose of trafficking. The couple were charged in 2009 after multiple pot plants were found growing in their residence. MacNeaney argued in court that she used marijuana medically to help her deal with pain. They were convicted of the lesser offence of growing marijuana.

MacNearney, who now operates a marijuana advocacy business said that she was thrilled with Sunday's turnout.

"Even if people just passed through they are aware of what the rally is about. We planted a seed," MacNearney said. "We had about 15 people on the march and people were honking and waving and cheering, it was great."

MacNearney said she was encouraged to see that the federal government announced last week that it intends to introduce legislation to legalize and regulate marijuana in the spring of 2017. MacNearney said that despite that good news she still intends to organize an event for next year.

"We did a lot of fundraising this year which I've never done in previous years. Because I knew I wouldn't have funding for next year I need to do fundraising in order to rent the plaza," she said. "There will be no civil disobedience next year. We're going to come and sit down and read what the new regulations say. Next year we are going to celebrate."

MacNearney has received her funding for the event over the past four years from a B.C. man named Bob Erb. He won $25 million in a 2012 lottery and has used some of that money to fund events like Yellowknife's 4/20. MacNearney said that Erb has made it clear that this will be the last year he'll be helping out financially with her event.

"His whole push was that we're fighting the wall against Harper," MacNearney said. "Once Trudeau got in - he was like I think we're good. Trudeau is in I think they are going to legalize."

Nigit'stil Norbert was among those who were volunteering at the rally, helping to sell T-shirts and giving out pins and posters. She said she does not currently use marijuana but would if it was legal to deal with some pain issues.

"I believe that legalizing is going to be a really important part going forward in looking into things that are more holistic and natural in their benefits," Norbert said. "I don't believe in chemicals so for me it's a different way for people to heal."

Cynthia Dearborn was one of the people who attended the rally but was not smoking marijuana. She said as long as it is properly regulated, she is all for legalization.

"It should be kept away from children. My way of doing it would be to use the establishments like the liquor store with the same restrictions they have selling alcohol ... no underage. That would be one way of regulating it," she said.