VCBC

11/03/2025

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 3, 2025

Victoria, B.C.: After years of raids, fines and evictions, the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club is co-hosting a public hearing on Tuesday November 4 with the North Park Neighbourhood Association to give local citizens an opportunity to comment on a rezoning application for its new home at 1625 Quadra Street. The public hearing will be from 6 to 8 pm, at the back of the United Commons, 932 Balmoral Street, in the Mcleod Room.

After operating for 20 years out of a storefront on Johnson Street, the VCBC moved to 1625 Quadra Street a couple of years ago after the building sold. Known for its historic unanimous victory at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2015, the VCBC is approaching 30 years of age and has served approximately 9,200 patients over that time. Though this application has been made after the club has been active in the location, it is hoped that council will once again acknowledge the exceptional circumstances under which the VCBC exists and grant the rezoning.

In the past, Victoria city council has expressed unanimous support for the VCBC as it strives to continue operating outside of the legal medical cannabis program. The Access to Ma*****na for Medical Access Regulations (ACMPR) do not allow storefront access, and the limits on THC are far lower than many patients require to manage their pain and fight cancer. Many low-income and elderly patients find the legal medical program inaccessible, too expensive or difficult to navigate. Recreational cannabis stores cannot give medical advice.

Meanwhile, the VCBC has recently received a response to their final appeal regarding the $3.2 million in fines from the B.C. Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety. As expected, the Community Safety Unit agreed with its earlier decision to enforce the extraordinary fine, finally exhausting all possible appeals the VCBC could make within the administration. By the end of today, Kirk Tousaw, lawyer for the VCBC will be filing for a judicial review to the provincial courts, a link to which will be included in a second press release tomorrow.

For more information contact Ted Smith at hellovcbc@gmail.com or 250-415-1063.

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10/27/2025

09/29/2025

We will be closed Tuesday September 30th for Truth and Reconciliation Day

09/15/2025

Putting out another call for letters of support from the members.

This time we are trying to find stories that directly address the problems with the federal medical cannabis program and how our club provides superior products at affordable prices.

he time has come for us to put out another call for letters of support. We need these letters for a new exemption application to Health Canada and to help us get rezoned by the City of Victoria. As opposed to last time when we gathered over 300 letters, this time we want to be very focused ...

08/31/2025

Reminder that the VCBC is closed Monday September 1st and every other stat holiday

08/14/2025

Come down today and meet Cre8 Glassworks, our friendly Galiano Glassblower

07/31/2025

A new study being done out of the University of Victoria on patients over 45 years old who are suffering from pain is looking for a few hundred participants.

07/15/2025

Apparently yesterday was the 5th anniversary of the 2nd raid by the Community Safety Unit.

It is strange having so many anniversaries of days the club could have been permanently closed.

Feeling very grateful to still be doing our work in such a beautiful space.

07/02/2025

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Victoria, B.C.: Tomorrow legendary cannabis advocate Ted Smith is launching Victoria’s newest tourist attraction: POT BUST CRAWL! This unique journey features Ted taking groups through downtown telling stories of how activists confronted authorities before and after legalization. Spanning 9 locations and stories over 3 decades, this unparalled cannabis experience is certain to appeal to history enthusiasts and cannabis lovers.
potbustcrawl.com

The ultimate goal of the company is to draw others interested in the history of cannabis together to build Canada’s first h**p and ma*****na museum. With such a rich, local history of cannabis activism, Victoria is perfectly positioned to be the home of a comprehensive museum covering all aspects of the ancient history of h**p, Re**er Madness, medical cannabis and the fight to otherthrow the shackles of prohibition. Efforts will start in the fall to build a team of volunteers to create the foundations upon which the cannabis museum will be built.

In the meantime, the POT BUST CRAWL will be enlightening participants about the details of how the members of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and the Victoria’s Hempology 101 Society engaged in years of constant civil disobedience to undermine the will of the police department and the law itself. These tales range from going to the Supreme Court of Canada for a unanimous victory, to passing out pot cookies in front of police, to getting arrested by undercover cops at a 420 circle. Indeed, no other activist in Canada has such a colourful story.

Tours are $25 each, with a minimum 4 each tour. Members of the VCBC get a discount of $20. This July and August the POT BUST CRAWL will be held every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 2 pm and ending at 4:20 pm.

For more information contact potbustcrawl@gmail.com or call 250-415-1063.
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06/26/2025

In The State of Craft ep. 44, some Canadian cannabis legends discuss the role of compassion clubs and other medical models in today's legal industry.

06/25/2025

Check out Ted's new cannabis tour company!

Starting next week, Ted is taking visitors around Victoria to tell stories about activists getting arrested before and after legalization!

Book your tour today and be one of the first to hear these epic stories.

Welcome to the Pot Bust Crawl, where you can explore the rich history of cannabis activism. Join Ted Smith on an enlightening walking tour that uncovers the stories behind the iconic pot busts.