Victoria, BC, Canada
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 5
Legislation: it is against the law to possess marijuana in Canada. If you have baggies, scales or other selling paraphenalia, you may be charged with trafficking.
Cannabis is schedule II in Canada (for more than 3 kg). Canada’s cannabis control laws are spottily enforced, with the west coast (British Columbia) being well known for its high quality cannabis and low levels of enforcement. In 2002, Canada’s federal government made several findings in favor of cannabis legalization and medical use approval. Although the status of medical cannabis is still in flux (sep 2002), the Canadian government has several times voiced its intention to support full medical use. Non-viable Cannabis seeds and Cannabis stalks (that do not include leaves, flowers, seeds or branches) are exempted.
In July 2000, an Ontario Court of Appeal ruled against the Canadian law because it did not address medical necessity and on July 31, 2001 a new regulation was enacted by the cabinet which addressed medical use. In January 2003, a lower Ontario court ruled simple possession laws banning cannabis unconstitutional, although it is unclear what the long term implications of this might be.
Law Enforcement: Since Marijuana is still illegal in Victoria, the police are actually forced to look for it. In Victoria, if you are caught smoking weed in public by a police officer, usually all that happens is they take it away, sometimes search you, and tell you to smoke it indoors where they can’t see it.
A recent report we got: “Canadian Police, like mall “cops” but with guns. Relatively friendly, the worst thing they’ll do is insult your American-ness. Be prepared for a tongue-lashing, but feel free to quip back. (In your more than lucid state, you should have no problems finding the multiple flaws with (no pun intended) the Victorian way of life.)”
Where to buy Marijuana in Victoria, BC: Not the University of Victoria: more than once, people with blood-red eyes and reeking of skunk told us not only did they not smoke ganja, but that we were perverse for even asking. You’re more likely to find a new pet bunny, (the campus is infested,) than a gram of hash. So, basically if you’re an American and looking for bud in Syrup Town, stay the hell away from Victoria, you will have a significantly better time in Vancouver. Dont even bother going to the island. There’s one headshop in town and it’s over-priced even for Canada. Though some bonuses: the young drinking age and legalized absinthe!
Prices:1 ounce (28 grams) of premium pot is around 150-200 CDN
Brands: Marijuana sold in Victoria, BC is extremely high potency local weed. It is nearly impossible to make a bad purchase in Victoria, BC..
Country: Canada
Time Zone: UTC/GMT -8 hours
Dialing codes: + 1 (Canada) + 604 / 778
WeBeHigh City Tale:
Victoria is the land of stoner splendour. Located on the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island, we are not only surrounded by the calm Pacific waters of the Georgia Strait, but also by dozens of small, laid-back islands speckled with ganja farms. Saltspring, Maine, and Texada are just a few of these. And they are great places to be if you want to have a quiet existance with just you and your pot. But if you want to be at the hub of it all, Victoria is the place to be.
From the waterfront view of Mile Zero all the way up and beyond Victoria’s City Hall, you will find pot smokers — on street corners, in the parks and parkades, in their apartments… simply everywhere. Have you heard of “BC Bud”? Have you ever gotten some fine cannabis imported from British Columbia… If you are a cannabis connoseur, you would do good to know that the buds we export from BC are the ones that we did not find fit to smoke ourselves. The good stuff remains here, at least until we roll it up, stuff it in our fine glassblown pipes, or bake it into our cookies.
Even though the majority of the public supports cannabis use, it is still technically illegal in Victoria. That doesn’t stop us. Most of the police force turns a blind eye to people smoking their pot on the streets of Victoria. However, you still need to keep an eye out for the police (Especially Sgt.Darren Laur!); whether or not they want to, they are paid to arrest people for breaking the laws, including the pot-smoking ones, so it’s best to remain unseen by them when partaking in your treats. In Victoria, if you are caught smoking weed in public by a police officer, usually all that happens is they take it away, sometimes search you, and tell you to smoke it indoors where they can’t see it. If you are caught smoking weed in public by a person who is not a police officer, usually all that happens is they smile at you, and perhaps ask if they can have a puff.
And when you are done getting stoned in Victoria, you are in the perfect place to indulge in the munchies! Being a very multicultural port city, Victoria offers restaraunts and eateries of every pursuasion; whether you’re looking for some tapi maki, a fine curry, some escargot or falafel, or just a really good hamburger, you’ll be able to find it here. And if you go to a restaraunt that has outdoor seating, chances are that the establishment will have no problems with you having a puff there while waiting for your meal.
Every wednesday at 4:20 PM there is a large gathering of people at the University Of Victoria. Hundreds of people gather together and share the latest news, gossip, and of course, the herb. Here, a peaceful, friendly atmosphere prevails. This is just one of the few organized events done by stoners in Victoria, who like to gather proudly and in public in defiance of the unconstitutional laws that keep this plant (just barely) in the underground. Later that night, even more people meet in the downtown core of Victoria at Hempology meetings for a larger and more stoned evening gathering. There, Ted usually speaks in a loudspeaker relating different information about cannabis – health tips, current events, or whatever is appropriate for that evening. Others have, for years now, consistently brought gigantic roach doobies to these meetings week after week to share with the crowd. A weekly source of excitement to the crowd is hearing the announcement where the total weight of this recycled pot is divulged to the crowd. Somewhere in the crowd you will usually find Dan and his wares, beautiful, healthy, sturdy glassblown pipes of every shape, size, and colour. For many people in Victoria, being a cannabis smoker isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way of life.
If you’re a chronic who likes to smoke good ganja, you will be at home in Victoria, BC, Canada.
More Information: If you would like to drink or see a touching scene of elderly women consume seafood in mass quantities, then Victoria is for you. But if you like an honest Canadian cannabis experience, stay away, (far away,) from Victoria. Vancouver is one of the most amazing metropolises I have ever experienced- minus the attitude towards the homeless. Seriously, Victoria’s a grandma town, but there is a beautiful botanical garden, good for… other things. (B.Y.O.L.S.D.) The town is a living hypocrisy; more than once I was chastised for America’s frivolous use of energy, but I have never seen so many Christmas lights in March than when I visited the Island of Intolerance. After 48 hours in Victoria, Canada and no bungh to smoke, my girlfriend and I purged several unpleasent experiences with a nice bottle of absinthe, (quite nice, but no bud of such.) The stoners there were no only inhospitable, they were hostile. It’s the polar opposite of what one would expect a Canadian toker to be- rude and not at all placid.