Legalise Cannabis Victoria will scale back its annual 4/20 celebrations this year, opting for smaller, localised events following what it described as a “wasteful and heavy-handed” police response at previous gatherings.
At the 2024 event, about 60 police attended a crowd of roughly 300, making close to 40 arrests for possession offences – a response Legalise Cannabis MPs said was disproportionate.
In the lead-up to 4/20 – an informal global day associated with cannabis use and culture, held annually on April 20 – the party said it could no longer “in good conscience” put supporters at risk.
“We tried to do the right thing, by registering our 420 events with the authorities and they responded by sending a laughable amount of officers, sniffer dogs and vans,” party manager Mira Fraser said in an email.
Instead, it will host a series of smaller gatherings, including a “420 High Tea” in Melbourne’s west, aimed at restoring the “community and celebration” aspects of the day.
Attendees have been advised to bring prescribed medicinal cannabis in its original packaging with supporting documentation to avoid potential issues with authorities.
Those who bring cannabis without a prescription have been told to “exercise caution”.
“Please be aware that we cannot provide legal support,” Fraser said. “Our team will have information on hand about your rights, but we advise you to exercise caution.”
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