Vendors look over their display of glass bongs on the first day of Hempfest in Seattle on Aug. 16, 2013. In Seattle, Hempfest has grown to a three-day protest festival, or "protestival,'' drawing large crowds to a 2.5-kilometre stretch of waterfront in Myrtle Edwards Park. The event has received a city permit every year since 1995, said Vivian McPeak, executive director of Hempfest. However, she added that the Vancouver event has previously received some political support — former NDP MP Libby Davies spoke at a past 420, for example. Unlike the Pride Parade and Celebration of Light fireworks show, 420 does not receive subsidies from the city, Emery added.

Source: CBC News April 19, 2019 18:16 UTC