Organizers are priming for potential crackdowns during Victoria鈥檚 4/20 gathering held on April 20 each year.
The BC Craft Farmers Co-op is holding its annual cannabis summit in Victoria from April 16 to 20, highlighting the province鈥檚 cannabis legacy and economic potential. The conference is scheduled to conclude with a permitted 4/20 celebration at the legislature on April 20.
However, recent correspondence with legislature staff is signalling there may be enforcement in Victoria for the first time, the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club said in a news release.
The concern stems from email correspondence with legislature staff while securing the event permit. The emails specified sections of the provincial capital鈥檚 site policies, including that events and event participants are prohibited from selling, serving, or consuming a regulated substance, including alcohol and cannabis.
鈥淪ince legalization, an event permit has been granted by the legislature to protest on April 20. There has never been a serious problem with the event, as far as organizers are aware,鈥� reads the statement signed by Ted Smith, founder and executive director of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club.
鈥淲e have been acting in good faith with the legislature staff to ensure this event is peaceful, clean and problem-free. Hopefully we are just being paranoid and the Legislature staff work with us to help everyone have a safe, informative and fun afternoon.鈥�