​We Asked Stoners At Canada’s Largest 420 Smokeout if Weed Is Less Cool Now That It’s Nearly Legal

For decades, the sight of a blazing joint has been the signature of rebels—rockers, rappers, punks and delinquents. It's also been a sign of protest—hippies, occupiers, and anyone who wants to stick a big middle finger to the man. Rather than fighting back with bats and clubs, people began to fight with love, colourful signs, and a handful of tree.

And so, on days like today—4/20, St. Patrick's for weed—people blaze it. In parks, at home, and in the middle of Toronto, at the city's busiest intersection, Yonge-Dundas Square. In both protest of the past, and celebration of the future of pot finally passing through the golden gates of legality, thousands of people filled the Times Square of Canada to do one thing: get really fucking high.

Now that ganja's on the verge of being legalized in Canada, we asked camped-out stoners the all important question: has pot lost its cool?

Kaplan, 38

How long have you been smoking for?
Like, 10, 15 years. It's been so long.

Do you feel like weed is becoming less cool than it used to be now that we're moving toward legalization?
Less cool? Nah, I think that whoever was in it for the cool factor, once they realize the health benefits, will make it ever cooler. I think making it mainstream doesn't make it less cool. I'm looking at it more as a medicinal, beneficial tool, for many different ailments, not only to get high.

How do you feel about the announcement of a spring 2017 date to begin legalization?
It seems too little too late. Look at how many people are in jail. That's how I feel. With a stroke of a pen, they could make it legal, right? Who has the power to do that? Harper—Uh, that guy's gone.

Trudeau?
Trudeau has the power right now to make it decriminalized. They could do something, anything to stop locking people up. We've been fighting way too long for this. We're not fighting for it to be cool or to smoke weed to be high. We're fighting because we're suffering and cannabis helps us.

Do you think you'll be smoking any more less or less once it's legal?
It'll be the exact same. Look around, the government is going to have to adapt to [the stoners and dealers], not the other way around. Eventually, Monsanto and other demonic places like that are going to try and turn this wonderful plant into some kind of GMO commodity. The market that exists will stay because of that.

4/20 has historically been seen as an act of protest. What happens now?
It's going to be a celebration. Next year, if it's legalized by that time, we're going to be celebrating how far we've come and let everyone have a good time.

Zack, 23

Lighting up in public has symbolically been a big fuck you to cops. Is the coolness factor going down?
I don't know if I agree with your assertion entirely, but it's definitely changing with announcements from the federal government. They've changed the tone for a lot of people. Even stuff that you guys at VICE do, the media in general, have really changed the conversation. The stigma, that's been for all the wrong reasons, is fading quickly.

For sure. Today, they announced that legalization is coming next year. Is now the right time?
I think now is better than never, but I think they are going to need some time to do this. We need to make sure it's not hastily drafted and make sure there's nothing we're going to regret. I feel like three years [from 2017-2020] is perfect. We don't want it getting destroyed by another incoming government.

Is 4/20's protest aspect dead? It seems, like, even now, it looks a lot less confrontational.
Well, again, not sure if I agree. From a young age, I was smoking pot and I realized how protesting could be used for and by people to achieve goals. I was still celebrating 4/20 back then—for a lot of us, it's always been a celebration. It really depends on your perspective.

Bernie, 42

For a long time, smoking up has been a rebellious act. Is it going to change?
I think it might shift a little, but the people who have been doing it for years will always stick to it and view it that way. Hopefully it becomes that more people are more accepting of it. That's all I really want to see.

How do you feel about the prospect of legalization in 2017?
I don't know how they're going to crush the black market, but it's fine with me. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing right now, and what the legalities of it are don't make a difference.

Are you smoking habits going to change at all with more accessibility?I smoked recreationally when I was younger, but I have medicinal purposes for it now, and there's really no issue with access. I'll stick to what I do, for sure. I don't think I'll be trying out new venues. [laughs]

What about 4/20? It doesn't seem like much of a rebellion anymore.
Oh yeah, it's going to get bigger and bigger. Back 10, 15 years ago, it was really small. Everyone was really scared that they were gonna get busted or not. There's like 30 cops here right now. Clearly things have changed.

Robynne, 18, and Charlotte, 18

In the past smoking weed has been stereotypically rebellious. You're young—do you think it's changing?
R: Yeah, it's funny, because when my parents first [immigrated] here, they were so against it, but now, not so much. I think that people who came here from conservative backgrounds are becoming more open to it.
C: It's not really seen with a stigma much anymore, but it's still common. Among older folk at least. But, with that said, I'm in the suburbs and people just smoke pot on their balcony. I don't think most people care enough anymore to raise a stink.

How do you feel about legalization?
R: I heard that you might have to be over 25 [to purchase]. I don't know if that makes sense, because tons of people around our age smoke, even people younger than us. I think it has to start somewhere though, so it's good to start there.

In terms of this—a big 4/20 smoke out—do you think these will keep happening?
R: There was a march earlier and, to me, I see that as more of the traditional protest. This is more fun.
C: Yeah, this is more of a gathering. It's very welcoming.

Do you guys think you'll be smoking more or less after it's legalized?
C: I don't think it'll change anything. I mean, maybe for us because it's age restricted, but anyone who is smoking now will be smoking after.

Christine, 52

Why do you smoke?
It provides me with the mental relief I need from my injuries and illness. I have friends whose cancer is in remission [because of pot], and a metal plate in my collarbone, this sling obviously, that gives me a lot of pain. My doctor does know I smoke marijuana, even though they have tried to get me on percocets. I don't want that. I will not take those and get addicted.

The government announced that legalizing efforts will start in spring 2017. How do you feel about that?
It's too late, it should have been done sooner. It's better than never, but people have been dying and they really, really needed it. Children, chronically ill people. We've had a disgusting outlook on this for so long.

Are events like 4/20 important anymore? They seem like less of a protest than they used to be.
I'm here in an army suit just because I want to march for the cause. I have all of these injuries, illnesses, surgeries. I wouldn't have been able to make it without weed everyday. I think people will celebrate because they won't drink as much, which would be great. But it's not over.

Do you think people are going to smoke more when it's legalized?
I think people will smoke less. It'll be a challenge, because you'll have to go through official routes. I think kids will get less of it, which is very good to hear, because it's really not meant for them unless it's medical. People shouldn't be driving while high.

Sirus, 29

So the government is pushing for a spring 2017 legalization date. How do you feel about that?
[laughs] That date, according to the government, means nothing—as a Rastafarian, y'know? They're gonna do what they want to do to legalize it. People have to recognize that with cigarettes, you can't smoke it in the club, can't smoke it while having a coffee, can't smoke it in a park. That's going to be the same with this. It's not totally legalized, it's just going to be slightly more free.

There has been a huge "cool" factor with smoking pot. Is that disappearing?
It's trickery, man. People use 4/20 as a place to smoke weed, hang out. A lot of people don't know the true meaning of what the herb is. People need to be more educated about what this plant can do for you and the world. My belief, as a Rastafarian, that if you're not searching for knowledge through the herb, you're not using it right.

Do you think kids smoking up are doing it wrong then?
Not wrong, just misguided. You know, kids, one day, they get asked, "Hey, want to smoke a spliff?" They hit it, that's it. They're now in a pattern where they're not seeking knowledge, they're seeking a high. It's not a gateway drug, but people are not seeing its true purpose.

If weed gets legalized, do you think people are going to be smoking more?
Nothing's going to change! Everybody smokes weed everyday. The cops hardly care anymore. Some guys sell weed, some guys do dispensaries, they face the cops more. The only thing that's going to change is that the people who don't smoke weed—the corporate types—you're going to see those dudes in a business suit smoking a joint. They'll be coming back to their office with new energies. Are you excited about legalization?
Excited? Like I said, Rasta is about one love. Unity and peace. It's all good vibes, I'm very happy for that.

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