As a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, provincial health officials have banned all gatherings and events of 250 people or more. Shortly afterwards, a statement released by organizers announced that the 420 Vancouver celebration will not take place this year. On Vancouver Island, the 420 festivities in Victoria have also been officially cancelled.
Traditionally, the biggest 420 celebration on the Island took place at Centennial Square. Last year, Victoria kicked it up a notch when they relocated to the front lawn of the BC Legislature Building…and set up a DJ.
The first 420 to take place in Victoria was an unplanned accident, however, the police and city officials held Ted Smith, the founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, accountable. At a time when dispensaries did not ever seem like a possibility, The VCBC was in full operation; Because of this, everything to do with cannabis in Victoria generally gets associated with him and the club. Embracing their part in protesting with a pot party, the planning and organization of 420 Victoria befell Ted Smith, Hempology 101 and the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. This year will be different.
Ted Smith confirmed that there will be no public 420 gathering this year at the Parliament Buildings and/or Centennial Square. When asked about it, Ted Smith says that “We are cancelling it this year because we all are dealing with an unfolding crisis, this flu. The VCBC is my primary focus, especially now with this health scare.”
