Hidden Treasures

A bizarre event took place recently in Toronto, Canada when
fliers started appearing everywhere for a free cannabis scavenger hunt. The
word was spread via fliers covered in cannabis leaves and the hashtag
#FreeWeed. According to the ads, if you texted the phone number on the flier, you
would receive a map and would be able to join the hunt for free cannabis.

Vice Magazine was
able to catch up with the person who put this all together, Chris, founder of
the self-proclaimed MarijuanaInfo Bureau, a pro-cannabis group with a logo
modeled after “Men In Black.” Chris explained that while the hunt would be
sketchy and illegal if real cannabis was hidden around the city in parks, this
is not the case. Instead, his group hides $25,000 in coupons that are good for
paraphernalia and actual cannabis, if you have a medical note from a doctor.

The idea behind the scavenger hunt is to spread awareness of
cannabis culture and the local compassion clubs and show it in a positive
light. “People are still confused about what they need to qualify,” Chris told Vice about the local view on medical
cannabis. “Most people think they need cancer or serious illness, but under the
new program you can qualify with trouble eating, trouble sleeping, migraines,
menstrual cramps, stress.”

Funds for the scavenger hunt are provided by the Toronto
Friends of Marijuana, a compassion club in the area that sells and provides
medical cannabis from dispensaries. These compassion clubs throughout Canada
act as the middle men between dispensaries and patients, providing medicine at
a reduced price and in a convenient setting.

The hunt went ahead as scheduled, and many happy cannabis enthusiasts
enjoyed walking around in a sunny park with a map looking for hidden treasure. New
friends were made, many free goodies were won to be redeemed later, and awareness
about Toronto’s local cannabis clubs was spread.