The annual cannabis-themed 4/20 Festival will be held at the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown Monday.
The festival typically draws large crowds for a ‘smoke out,’ attracting pot enthusiasts from across the city.
Const. Megan Lui says the Vancouver Police Department will deploy an extra 20 officer to keep an eye on things.
“We have our patrol members, organized crime units, bicycle teams, and traffic,” said Lui.
“So, you will see officers on the street for 4/20.”
Lui says the police will make sure there are only minor disruptions to the surrounding business areas and that festival-goers follow the rules.
“Our job is just to ensure peace, to make sure there is no violence involved,” Lui said.
“We just want to ensure that people, if they want to participate in the event, that we make sure there’s public safety involved.”
Lui says fines will be given out if people are seen damaging public property or smoking cannabis outside of the festival area.
“There are fines involved, and our police officers will be enforcing them if it gets to that level,” she said.
“But again, we just want to facilitate a peaceful outcome.”
The 4/20 smoke out event starts at noon Monday and will wrap up by 6 p.m.