It appears that nothing is safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a week that’s seen pretty much everything under the sun cancelled, re-scheduled or suspended, organizers of Vancouver’s annual 4/20 pot festival announced Friday that this year’s event is cancelled.
On Thursday, B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry asked that all events with more than 250 people be cancelled.
“Though 4/20 is a protest, it is not a protest against health officials, and it makes sense to help them protect the public from the outbreak of an infectious virus,” organizers said in a press release.
Some people are upset and say “don’t believe the hype!”
— 420 Vancouver (@420Vancouver_) March 13, 2020
But to that, we say this:
Inviting people to travel from all over the world, to share joints & pipes mouth-to-mouth, and coughing (because that’s what pot smokers do 😅), when half the attendees are medical patients...
...there’s nothing good that can come from that, no matter if COVID is exaggerated or not.
— 420 Vancouver (@420Vancouver_) March 13, 2020
Public perception and sensible organizational thought demand 4/20 Vancouver be cancelled.
It breaks our hearts & many others too, but it’s the right thing to do. Thanks for understanding!
Vancouver’s 4/20 event, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, typically attracts thousands of participants every year.
“We’re sad there won’t be a 4/20 celebration at Sunset Beach this year, but we will be back to celebrate Cannabis Day on July 1 at Thornton Park in Vancouver,” the press release reads.
Organizers say vendors that booked a booth will receive a refund in the coming days.
@JessicaEKerr
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