|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
Canada: 'News flash, you won, Cannabis is legal': Vancouver mayor says 4/20 event no longer a protest Mike Lloyd and Hana Mae Nassar City News Friday 12 Apr 2019 That’s coming from Vancouver’s mayor, who says since legalization, the event is shifting to a more celebratory tone. “I think we’ve got to give people time to adjust,” Mayor Kennedy Stewart tells NEWS 1130. “But, news flash, you won, Cannabis is legalized.” He believes the event is actually starting to damage the brand of cannabis in the city, and adds that’s not something emerging businesses would want. “I would hope this is the last year for 4/20, and [we’ll] be having discussions about that over the coming year,” Stewart says. On whether the city will step in, with just more than a week to go before a large crowd is expected to gather in the West End, Stewart says there’s a tough balance to consider. “Public safety is the number one concern, so of course, if there’s any serious criminal activity the police will be there to make sure that doesn’t happen and is dealt with appropriately. I don’t actually think the citizens of Vancouver would want a big clash between police and folks at the event — I really don’t think that’s the way to handle it, either.” He believes the real turning point will come later this year, when edible and consumer products are legalized in the fall. When that happens, Stewart says there will be “no excuse” to have such an event. Organizers expect to draw even larger crowds at Sunset Beach next Saturday as the 4/20 adds a headline music event this year. California hip hop group Cypress Hill is set to perform on a stage set up among the vendors at the park. Despite the concerns and previous damage and associated costs, Stewart says the city has no plans to intervene this year. “I don’t think we’ve had enough lead time,” he says of the city council that’s only been in office for about five months. “The way I’m looking at this 4/20 is kind of a victory lap for the folks that were long-time protesters for the legalization of marijuana. But I think that gets old pretty fast, so I think next year we’ll be having a very different approach.” In years to come, Stewart hopes to see some kind of an internationally-recognized 4/20 trade show, which could draw people to the city and an economic benefit. Another voice from the summer festival scene says 4/20 is not a protest, should pay costs Meantime, as 4/20 organizers gear up for their upcoming event — still without the necessary permits or paying for policing costs — another prominent voice in the summer festival scene is weighing in on the still-rogue weed event. Raymond Greenwood helped bring the annual fireworks competition to downtown Vancouver in 1990, chairing what was then known as the Benson and Hedges Symphony of Fire for a decade, and he says his organization paid for policing. “It was $90 per hour for a policeman. I had to pay for that, I had to pay for fire engines, I had to pay for ambulances, I had to pay for everything,” he tells NEWS 1130. “Our bill for the city and policing costs at that time was $150-thousand. If you reach out to Brand Live today, who are the organizers, I would suggest it’s over $1-million in costs.” Greenwood is quick to give his opinion on 4/20’s status. “I truly believe that 4/20 is a festival, it is an event, and they should pay,” he asserts. Pride Festival organizers also argue 4/20 is no longer a protest since marijuana was legalized in Canada last year, and it should abide by all the rules governing festivals in the city. Should the City of Vancouver crack down on 4/20? It seems some people are very much in favour of bylaws being enforced at the event. Others believe it is still very much a protest. And there are some who feel the Vancouver Park Board and city should leave well enough alone, with one social media user tweeting: “Give the permit already! It’s a peaceful gathering that is over-policed. Not ONE has there been an incident to justify VPD’s heavy presence.” https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/04/12/voice-4-20-not-protest-pay-costs/
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!