Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jun 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Tiffany Crawford
Page: A2

CITY PUTS BRAKES ON CANADA DAY POT PARTY

Organizers Told Event 'Violates a Number Bylaws'

Organizers of a Canada Day marijuana festival, which has run every 
year for two decades in Vancouver, have been told to cease and desist 
by the city because they do not have a permit.

Marijuana activists Marc and Jodie Emery, who operate Cannabis 
Culture Headquarters, have been organizing Cannabis Day, held each 
year on July 1 outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.

But the couple received a letter from deputy city manager Sadhu 
Johnston earlier this week telling them to cancel the event because 
the city "does not support or approve this event at this location as 
planned" and because it violates a number of bylaws.

"The event as advertised involves the erection of structures; 
including stages and tents, as well as commercial vending. An event 
of this nature must be appropriately permitted by the City. Please 
cease and desist any advertising of the above noted event," Johnston wrote.

The letter also says a permit is required to use the space, and that 
requires proof of insurance, payment for any costs such as policing 
and sanitation, a site plan, and letters to nearby residents and businesses.

Jodie Emery says organizers have never applied for a permit in 20 
years, adding that because it is a "protest and collective act of 
peaceful civil disobedience," they would not be eligible for the 
insurance required for a permit.

She said because of tradition, people will just show up for the event 
because they know it happens every year.

"With this kind of unexpected hostility, we might not be able set up 
our stage, first aid booths, security, toilets and fencing, all of 
which we pay for (on) Cannabis Day every year," she said in an email 
on Thursday.

Emery said the letter from the city is very unusual because they have 
been working with the city and emergency services for a couple of years.

"So this cold shoulder and refusal to actually reach out to us 
(again, unusual considering we always work together well, even as 
recently as this April for the 4/20 event) is a shock and disappointing."

She said they hope to change the city's decision, but if they are not 
allowed to organize and provide security, sanitation and first aid to 
the up to 20,000 people who might show up, "that's going to fall on 
the shoulders of the city reps who made this call," she said.

VPD spokesman Const. Brian Montague said Thursday he understands the 
city is planning to meet with event organizers to talk about the 
circumstances and potential options for Cannabis Day, and he didn't 
want to speculate on whether the organizers could be fined.

City spokesman Jag Sandhu said in an email that public safety is the 
city's first concern when it comes to events happening on July 1, and 
there is no additional capacity to host such a large event in the 
downtown core. The city is already booked with events that include 
Canada Day festivities, FIFA Women's World Cup and VIVA Vancouver's 
Robson Redux.

However, he said the city is planning to meet with event organizers 
to talk about potential options and is also working closely with the 
Vancouver Police Department.

Vancouver police recently announced they would go after promoters of 
unsanctioned events to recover policing costs, after costs for the 
4/20 and May Day events in the city swelled to tens of thousands of dollars.

The city's final tally for 4/20 costs was $93,000 - $52,000 for 
policing; $26,000 for firefighters; $10,000 went to porta potties and 
other sanitation costs; and $4,500 for traffic control, Sandhu said.

Jodie Emery disputes the city's tally, saying organizers of 4/20 
raised and paid thousands of dollars for security and toilets.

On April 20, an estimated 20,000 people crammed into the downtown 
core for the annual marijuana protest known as 4/20. But this year, 
scores of vendors set up stalls to sell bongs, pipes, weed, hash, 
edibles and more, raising questions about whether the protest had 
turned more into a cannabis culture craft fair.

The demonstration led city officials to close Robson Street between 
Howe and Hornby streets due to fears protesters would wander into traffic.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom