Vancouver's Cannabis Gathering Shrinks

In a surprising turn of events, Vancouver's once-vibrant 4/20 celebration at Sunset Beach has drastically diminished in size this year, despite the warm weather that typically attracts thousands of cannabis enthusiasts.

From Throngs to Picnic Blankets

Once a bustling hub for thousands of cannabis lovers, this year's gathering saw only a handful of attendees sprawled on picnic blankets, raising questions about the event's future.

Police Presence: Comfort or Concern?

An increased police presence was felt throughout the park, both on foot and on motorcycles. This led to mixed reactions among parkgoers—while some criticized the officers' presence as intimidating, others welcomed it as a necessary safety measure.

One attendee voiced fear about feeling unsafe, stating, "It scares the living crap out of me. It’s not fair to have people feel like they’re in danger for something that’s already legal here." Conversely, another parkgoer appreciated the security, noting, "It’s nice to kind of have that presence of safety, especially with minors around."

City Measures and Community Impact

In anticipation of the unpermitted festivities, the City of Vancouver implemented various measures, including altering traffic flow and closing the parking lot to manage crowd control. The city collaborated with multiple agencies, including the Park Board and Vancouver Police, to ensure public safety and coordinate responses as needed.

As highlighted in an official statement, the city emphasized, "The following measures will be in place to minimize community impacts and ensure public safety and respectful use of shared spaces."

A Shifting Landscape for Cannabis Events

With the decline of Sunset Beach's gathering, it now stands as one of the few cannabis-friendly events on 4/20, alongside another celebration at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This year marks nearly seven years since Canada legalized cannabis, yet advocates argue that such events are more than mere celebrations—they serve as important protests against the ongoing marginalization of cannabis users.

As the 4/20 landscape evolves, the question remains: what will the future hold for these gatherings in Vancouver and beyond?