This weekend will mark this first 4-20 events since legalization and cities across Canada are expecting record sized crows to attend the celebrations.
The Vancouver Park Board has requested that officials scrap the city’s annual 4-20 celebration after organizers booked rap group Cypress Hill, causing the expected attendance numbers to soar past 40,000 people.
"I think, as a park commissioner, it's my duty to say, 'Hey, this is getting out of hand'" — John Coupar of the Vancouver Park Board https://t.co/nhESkmmNKh
— Exclaim! (@exclaimdotca) April 17, 2019
On Parliament Hill in Ottawa, organizers are expecting this year’s crowd to be more than double that of the 2018 event.
“The crowd will be a little bit more diverse this year than it has been in most years,” said 4-20 Ottawa organizer Shawn Mac.
“Personally, I have lots of friends who have never attended for the simple reason that it’s not been legal and this year it is.”
Want to help out with 4/20 Ottawa?
— Cannabis Culture (@CannabisCulture) April 17, 2018
LAST CALL for speakers, event marshals, and volunteers: message organizer @shawnmactm if you are interested!
Smoke out Parliament Hill in Ottawa this April 20th!#Ottawa #YOW pic.twitter.com/wl39YaZ5Hn
Despite legalization, organizers say there is still plenty to protest.
Concerns remain about the government’s decision to tax medicinal marijuana; legislation to expedite pardons for people previously convicted of simple pot possession is still in the early stages of debate; and provincial and municipal governments are grappling with retail sales and land use for growing, among other issues.
With files from the Canadian Press.
