Another 4/20 has come and gone, and our friends in Vancouver are embroiled in a debate about whether the unpermitted smoke-in at Sunset Beach is a protest, a festival or a hybrid strain.
We agree, the premise for protest is thin, with cannabis now legal across Canada. And to its credit, Vancouver has ushered in a few legal joint joints and more are on the way.
If the 4/20 revellers are looking for something to protest, they might turn their attention north of Burrard Inlet.
It’s been more than a year since the province laid out the rules for licensed pot shops, but – it seems – our municipalities are all suffering a case of delayed reaction time.
The City of North Vancouver has six pot shops incoming, but it’s rather hazy when they’ll get the all-clear to open.
The District of North Vancouver has drawn up proposed rules for pot shops, but they have not come to council for a vote, so there’s no telling when district residents will be allowed to partake.
In July 2018, the District of West Vancouver banned the production and sale of cannabis on the promise that consultation for legal sales was coming. But at this time it’s unclear to us whether West Van will end its prohibition or whether its residents will be forced to turn to the black market, or worse, drive over the Lions Gate Bridge, to purchase a product they have every right to buy closer to home.
We hope West Vancouver sees the light on this issue. If not, perhaps they should see a few thousand stoners lighting up on Ambleside Beach. That might be just the spark they need.
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