Sun, Sep 7: High Park was highly controversial Sunday. It was the site of a marijuana scavenger hunt. Cindy Pom reports on what was found and who opposed the event. Cindy Pom reports.
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Marijuana Scavenger hunt held in High Park
The “high” in High Park was given a whole new meaning, when many came out to participate in a marijuana scavenger hunt on Sunday.
The hunt, organized by the Marijuana Information Bureau, didn’t actually hide marijuana in the park, just $25,000 worth of vouchers for pot and pot accessories.
Since no physical pot was stashed for the public to find, the event was legal, but officers were still present during the hunt.
The rules also highlighted that participants had to have a valid medical marijuana prescription to claim their prize.
But, the controversial event didn’t go off without some criticism. “Park are for families,” says Annette Hutcheon, City Council Candidate for Ward 3, “I think this is something for legitimate pharmaceutical companies and medical practitioners to take care of, not treasure hunts for drugs in parks.”
Article source AM 640
Scavenger hunt for marijuana held in High Park
A scavenger hunt for marijuana was held at High Park in Toronto on Sunday.
The Marijuana Information Bureau, which organized the hunt, claimed more than $25,000 in pot and prizes were up for grabs.
Toronto police said they were keeping an eye on the event, but said it’s legal because there wasn’t any marijuana hidden in the bushes – just 2,000 vouchers for marijuana and marijuana products.
“I got three cards so far,” said one scavenger hunter Natalie Wright.
Another scavenger hunter, Krista Hines, said she was there for her stepfather.
“He has tumours in his hand so he uses medical marijuana. And so he told us about it and he’s actually getting diagnostics today. So he asked us to come down and look for him.”
The rules say the scavenger hunters must have a valid medical marijuana prescription to claim their weed.
But if they don’t, they’re provided a number to “help you get your prescription and be able to claim your prize.”
Legit or not, the event made park goers who were just trying to enjoy a sunny day with their families uneasy.
“It’s a public park. It’s a family park, and it’s just kind of inappropriate, I think,” said Tara Damato.
John Horoszko said, “Looking around and watching the people there’s a lot of young kids out and about, finding cards. Is that the true meaning of the whole program under Health Canada? I certainly don’t believe so.”
Marijuana treasure hunters scour High Park
Pot enthusiasts and medicinal tokers went on a scavenger hunt Sunday, searching for vouchers promising pot paraphernalia and free weed.
There’s weed in them thar hills, you might say, and at high noon the hunt was on.
Seekers of hidden treasure fanned out across High Park on Sunday — an assortment of marijuana enthusiasts and medicinal users who scuttled through bushes and checked under garbage bins in search of their promised bounty.
To keep things legal, there weren’t actually bundles of drugs hidden in the west end green space. Instead, hundreds of coupons were tucked away, redeemable for $25,000 worth of free bongs, pipes, rolling papers, vaporizers and discounted weed, the latter available only for people with valid prescriptions, according to organizers from the Marijuana Info Bureau.
It was almost too good to be true for Barry Bellows. The 37-year-old raced down to the park on his bike after hearing about the second annual Marijuana Treasure Hunt on the morning news. He found 30 prize vouchers within an hour.
“This one’s for 10 lollipops, $50 off, free delivery,” said Bellows, grinning as he flipped through his findings. An envious and empty-handed fellow hunter looked on from a nearby bench.
“I’m not really sure if there’s any truth to it, but you never know,” Bellows said, and glanced toward the nearby foliage. “That’s where my next adventure is, into the woods.”
A short distance away, a guy was huffing up one of the park paths with a skateboard under his arm. “Got here a bit late, so!” he exclaimed, dropping to his knees to check under wooden benches before he jogged away into the heart of the park.
The marijuana scavenger hunt was announced weeks ago via Twitter and on flyers in the surrounding neighbourhood. It attracted dozens of treasure hunters to the park on Sunday, where participants mingled mostly unnoticed amongst the usual crowds of families, joggers and dog-walkers, while police on bikes patrolled the park.
Some who took part were hostile to queries from the media, muttering expletives or responding with narrow-eyed suspicion. Most though, were friendly, laid-back and happy to be out in the sun.
“I think it’s a great idea to have it in the park … as long as people are respectful and don’t smoke in front of kids,” said Ryan Carter, 23, a licensed medicinal marijuana user.
Maps and a list of rules were available online through the Marijuana Info Bureau Twitter feed. These stipulated that you must be 18 to participate, and have a medical pot prescription to claim marijuana prizes.
Calls from the Star to the phone number provided on the bureau’s advertisements went unanswered Sunday, while organizers of the event were conspicuously absent from High Park.
Carter, who has participated in Marijuana Info Bureau events before, explained that the chief organizer runs a medical weed compassion club and is media shy. “He does exist. I’ve met him in person,” Carter laughed.
Sitting near a hotdog stand beneath a shady tree, Jake Parsonson took a nonchalant drag from a cigarette (tobacco only). He said he came to the park to take part in the scavenger hunt, expressing his approval for providing less expensive weed to people that need it for medical reasons.
“Lots of people can’t afford their medication, so this is a great lift for them,” said Parsonson.
As for himself, he didn’t have high hopes for bagging much loot.
“I’m certainly going to leave here with less weed than I came with,” he vowed, “no matter how much I find.”
Article source Toronto Star
Searchers try their pot luck at Toronto marijuana treasure hunt
- 11:52 am, September 8th, 2014
TORONTO — High Park was abuzz Sunday with pot enthusiasts searching for $25,000 worth of marijuana prizes.
The second annual marijuana treasure hunt — organized by the Marijuana Info Bureau of Toronto — started at noon with participants trying their pot luck using a map provided through Twitter and test message.
While no actual weed was hidden in the park, those in the hunt found vouchers for prizes including medical marijuana and bongs.
The event was geared towards medical marijuana users with winners being required to produce the appropriate licence to claim pot prizes. People without a licence and over the age of 18, however, were able to claim prizes for accessories such as vaporizers and grinders.
Mike, 28, and Samanda, 26, both of Toronto, weren’t shy about showing off the large stack of vouchers they found. Samanda — a medical marijuana patient for seven years — described the event as safe and appropriate.
“You have to take a picture of (the voucher), you have to text the (organizer), you have to meet up with him and bring your card… Kids can’t just walk up and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got this (voucher), can I have (the weed)?’,” Samanda said.
Many people came out to try finding some free smoke. Some were easily recognizable by their marijuana-themed apparel and seen searching wooded areas near Grenadier Pond and along the many paths and walkways.
Municipal election candidate Annette Hutcheon — who is running for a seat in Etobicoke Centre — came to the park to register her distaste for the event and hang posters against the hunt.
“I think it’s just an opportunity to promote drugs to people… This I don’t believe is medical marijuana. Legitimate pharmaceutical companies and medical practitioners don’t run treasure hunts for drugs in parks,” Hutcheon said.
Hutcheon contacted police Chief Bill Blair and Mayor Rob Ford asking for the event to be cancelled.
Hutcheon said she is still waiting for a response.
Article source Toronto Sun
