Pot rally plan could save city green
Park board set to weigh risks, benefits of issuing permits for popular events celebrating marijuana
The fate of Vancouver’s growing annual 4/20 cannabis rally will be up for debate Monday at a park board meeting that could pave the way for permitted events.
The board will consider two motions, according to a report prepared by Octavio Silva, manager of business development. The first would deny approval or permits for any future 4/20 rally or Cannabis Day event on park board property. But if that motion fails, the park board will discuss granting the Vancouver 4/20 Events Society a permit to hold its event on April 20 at Sunset Beach Park.
The board could direct staff to issue the permit “with all arrangements to the satisfaction of the general manager of the park board.” It would also give the event an exemption to the anti-smoking bylaw and grant vendors permission to sell food, beverages and other items.
In January, a group made up of city and park board staff, police and fire and rescue personnel was formed along with a steering committee to look at improving the planning, decision-making and operation of the 4/20 event.
“While both groups acknowledge the challenging aspects associated with the 4/20 celebration and protest, they also recognize that the event will occur regardless,” the report said. “Further, with the impending federal legalization of marijuana, there is recognition that in the foreseeable future, the 4/20 initiative will likely shift from being a protest to a legal celebration.”
Monday, the board will weigh the risks and benefits of permitting the 4/20 event.
The board is concerned a permit would set precedent and encourage other events involving smoking at parks and beaches. Allowing smoking conflicts with the board’s mandate of promoting health and allowing it by permit could harm the park board’s reputation because an illegal product would be sold and consumed at the event, according to the report.
But a permit would also reduce the liability to the board and city by letting organizers seek insurance. It would regulate vendors, help with cost recovery through permit fees — an estimated $155,000 for 2017 — and set expectations that would help improve compliance and communications, the report said.
Dana Larsen, director of Sensible B.C. and an organizer with the Vancouver 4/20 Events Society, said acquiring a permit won’t change how the event is run and planned, which he said has always been in consultation with city and park board staff.
“Ultimately all a permit really means is that they’d be willing to accept our money to help cover some of the expenses from the event,” he said. “But I mean, for us, I’d much rather have a permit because I don’t see why we shouldn’t get one. If we were all drinking booze we’d be getting a permit … to me it just makes more sense. I’d rather be treated like any other event.”