One of Vancouver’s most prestigious annual cultural events has been warned it could face millions of dollars in fines for putting marijuana dispensary advertisements in its program guide.
Health Canada told Vancouver International Jazz Festival organizers to stop distributing the guide immediately, or face a maximum fine of $5 million and up to two years in prison.
“Health Canada does not authorize the operation of retail [marijuana] storefronts. These organizations are illegal. Marijuana advertising is illegal,” spokesman Sean Upton said in an email statement.
Dispensary advertisements are outlawed under Canada’s Food and Drugs Act as well as its Narcotic Control Regulations, Upton said.
The festival included four pot shop ads in the guide for its 30th anniversary event, being held from June 18-July 1. The pamphlet also contains messages from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and B.C. Premier Christy Clark along with its event listings.
Festival executive director Mike Forrester said organizers took swift action after Health Canada raised an objection.
“As soon as I was notified what the issue was with those ads, we acted right away removing them from all our digital and online platforms,” Forrester said.
Many of the guides – potentially thousands – had already been distributed to the public, however.
“Not a heck of a lot I can do about those. We are obviously limiting that distribution,” Forrester added.
The jazz festival isn’t the only one to be censured by Health Canada recently. Several local newspapers and radio stations have been warned as well, a crackdown pot prohibitionist Pamela McColl wants to see continue.
“Health Canada needs to do more of what they’re doing,” McColl said. “I hope they come out harder.”
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Peter Grainger
