A local cannabis growers group is criticizing the City of Vancouver for missing an opportunity to capitalize on the province’s “rich cannabis culture” by not sanctioning a recent 4/20 celebration. The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op claims that instead of allowing a “professionally run special event” like the annual Pride Parade, the city erected barriers around Sunset Beach and had police target vendors at the unsanctioned celebration.
The group’s president, Tara Kirkpatrick, believes that the city could have generated millions in tourism revenue by embracing the event, which attracts tens of thousands of people each year. She points to the City of Prince George, which held a permitted “cannabis summit” over the weekend, as an example of how to successfully manage a large-scale cannabis event.
The Vancouver Park Board had taken measures to mitigate the impact of the unsanctioned event, including closing washrooms and parking lots. However, Kirkpatrick argues that the city’s approach was a missed opportunity to cash in on British Columbia’s reputation as a hub for “legendary craft cannabis farmers.” She urges the city to rethink its approach to 4/20 celebrations and consider sanctioning future events, which could bring in significant revenue and put the province on the map as a major player in the cannabis industry.
