Pot rally remains ‘protestival’ despite dawn of legalization
Cannabis users still believe restrictions unjust compared to alcohol’s controls
Despite legalization on the horizon, organizers of the annual Vancouver 4/20 cannabis rally say there’s little reason to end their battle to free the weed.
Last week, the federal government tabled long-awaited legislation to legalize recreational cannabis, promising a “strict legal framework” for the production, sale, distribution and possession of pot starting July 2018.
But after decades of protesting to legalize it, B.C. cannabis advocates argue the framework proposed will give rise to yet more dissent.
Neil Magnuson, a rally organizer and longtime cannabis activist, called the legislation a “false promise” that would see U.S.-funded, federally-authorized licensed producers snuff out small, local cannabis firms.
“All of these people are at risk right now,” said Magnuson, sweeping his hand toward roughly 700 tents pitched by vendors and advocates. “This is a culture that’s grown over the past few decades into a beautiful community.”
Magnuson said 4/20 will remain a “protestival” until cannabis users can grow and share as much of the plant as they want.
“I really hope to see that in my lifetime,” said Magnuson.
There was a “celebratory aspect” to 4/20 this year with pending legalization, said Dana Larsen, director for Sensible B.C.
“But there’s still plenty to protest,” he added.
Larsen believes the 4/20 rally will grow as people become more comfortable with public cannabis use after legalization. But the legislation just tabled has restrictions unfair to cannabis users and unjust compared to those for alcohol users, he said.
Larsen slammed the federal government for allowing ongoing dispensary raids and possession arrests while at the same time planning to let people to carry up to 30 grams of bud without legal repercussions.
He said when legalization is finally, fully realized — and prohibition is ended — 4/20 might stop being called a protest, at which point he would expect even more public events and perhaps even political support.
We deserve to be able to come out of the shadows ... but (pending) legislation is going to keep us criminalized.
While vendors set up tables at the rally Thursday morning, the leaders of B.C.’s three major parties met at the NEWS 1130 studio where they debated their plans for the legislation — which promises to allow provinces to control the production and distribution of cannabis, as well as the age of majority for its purchase.
“We’re in the middle of a provincial election,” Larsen said. “If it were any other gathering, we would see candidates and party leaders here to speak to this crowd and seek their votes.”
Jodie Emery, one of the most recognized figures at 4/20 celebrations, obliged fans who asked to pose for selfies and chatted with police.
Emery said that while she’s glad Canada is moving to be the first G20 country to federally legalize cannabis, she believes what the government plans isn’t “real” legalization.
“We deserve to be able to come out of the shadows and into the light, but this legislation is going to keep us criminalized and marginalized,” she said. “We still have a lot to protest against as long as people are arrested.”
Enforcement of cannabis crimes affected Emery personally last month, when she and her husband Marc were arrested in Toronto alongside three associates, and charged with offences including drug trafficking in connection with their retail marijuana business.
Emery said she was glad her bail conditions allowed her to be in Vancouver for a scheduled, police approved visit at Thursday’s event. But in the early morning hours of Friday, she was set to be on a flight to Toronto for her next court appearance Friday at 9 a.m.
“It’s the best way to take a red-eye flight back to Toronto,” Emery said. “I’ll be in court bright and early. And you know I left here on a high note.”