PNE board of directors says no to 4/20 in 2020

The PNE won't be hosting Vancouver's annual 4/20 event in 2020 if the exhibition'sboard of directors gets its way.

According to a tweet sent out after a public board meeting in East Vancouver, the PNE will ask Vancouver city council to remove Hastings Park/PNE from consideration as a possible relocation site for 4/20 activities.

"The board heard from the community loudly and clearly that the PNE will not accept this event," said PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance.

The issue of where to hold the unsanctioned event will be discussed at council later today.

Sunset Beach has hosted 4/20 since 2017 against the wishes of Vancouver park board officials, who have refused to issuepermits toorganizers and asked them tomove the event to a more suitable location.

Last year, 4/20 attracted40,000 people and 140 unlicensed vendors who paid organizers for booth space. Two people were arrested and 35including fourunderagerevellerswere treated at St. Paul's Hospital.

The city estimates last year's event cost taxpayers more than $300,000, with the 2017 figure close to $250,000.

Recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada in October of last year leading some to question why 4/20which started as a protest against laws that made marijuana illegalstill exists.