Today marks the 24th anniversary of Vancouver’s iconic weed appreciation protest and farmer’s market.
Over 600 vendors and thousands of canna-fans are gathered at Sunset Beach Park, with thousands more expected before the 4:20 pm smoke up, hoping this year will be the last under the shadow of prohibition.
To avoid last year’s grass catastrophe, a protective covering has been placed over the lawn, and so far Mother Nature has kept the soggy weather at bay. Tow trucks and traffic stops enclose adjacent neighborhoods, though the police presence within the event is noticeably sparse.
Going ahead without the approval of the Vancouver Park Board, organizers are covering the costs of things like sanitation and traffic control, as well as donating $8,400 to St. Paul’s Hospital and the Vancouver Firefighter’s “Snacks for Kids” foundation to offset the impact of the event on the surrounding community.
Event organizers say after all costs they expect to break even. Amidst the sea of colourful tents and characters, you may even catch a glimpse of a guy walking around with a leaf-blower bong billowing pot smoke into the crowd.
Many booths were selling clones. Credit: Amanda SiebertInfused cupcakes. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertA sword you can smoke out of. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertCindy Heemeryk and Dana Larsen hold up donation cheques for St. Paul’s Hosptial Foundation and the Vancouver Firefighters’ Snacks for Kids program. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert‘Straight’ OG, eh? Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertStraight writer Piper Courtenay interviews activist Neil Magnuson. Credit: Amanda SiebertJayda Suttie has a rare condition called Vanishing White Matter disease. She’s selling lemonade with the help of some generous activists. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertStraight writer Piper Courtenay photographs Jodie Emery. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertT-rex hugs at 4/20. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertThe point at Sunset Beach is a nice place for a toke on 4/20. Credit: Amanda SiebertSunset Beach at exactly 4:20 p.m. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda SiebertMary Jean ‘Watermelon’ Dunsdon came painted for the occasion. Credit: Amanda SiebertThe one and only Urban Remo of Remo Nutrients. Credit: Amanda Siebert Credit: Amanda Siebert
Kirk's journey through the digital realm began with lines of code and algorithms dancing in his dreams. Armed with a keyboard and an insatiable curiosity, he embarked on the path of software engineering. However, fate had a smoky twist in store for him.
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