Flying High | Source: Unsplash
Ever been scared that airport security might notice how baked you are?
Luckily, if you are flying out of Vancouver, you no longer have to be.
In 2018, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) announced its new designated cannabis smoking and vaping areas outside of the airport terminal. Now, you can get that perfect high before literally getting high in the sky!
YES—you read that right.
At Vancouver International Airport, smoking weed is legal! So, if you’re going to be passing through Vancouver International Airport (YVR), you might want to bring your stash. And if you’re unsure whether it’s allowed there, we’ve got some answers for you.
Flying High With Vancouver International
Wait… can you really smoke weed while waiting to board your flight?
At least, that’s what they say.
The airport is the first of its kind in North America that allows passengers to smoke marijuana legally. The move is part of an effort by Canadian officials to “normalize” cannabis use, according to an official statement released by the airport.
As part of these changes, all terminals are equipped with smoking areas as well as “vape lounges” where people can consume cannabis products in a less public setting than before. The goal of this experiment isn’t just to see how many people are going to end up getting high at YVR. It’s also meant to test how much cannabis remains on surfaces after being smoked there.
A spokesperson for Vancouver International Airport said that they wanted to offer a place where people could enjoy their recreational marijuana. And to do so without having to worry about kids or pets being around and getting into it accidentally.
Canadian Cannabis Laws
First things first: yes, it is legal to smoke marijuana in Canada.
Canada legalized recreational marijuana on October 17th, 2018. Since then it has been legal for Canadians to purchase cannabis from licensed retailers across the country. So if you’re a Canadian citizen, congratulations! You can buy pot and smoke it wherever you want—as long as it’s within the legal limits.
With legislative changes and the legalization of cannabis in Canada, the provinces are now informing people about how to exercise their rights and consumption of cannabis. It is only allowed in designated areas.
But what about when you’re traveling out of the province?
Flying Out of Vancouver
Well… that depends on where you’re going. But as long as your destination is somewhere where recreational marijuana is legal (and doesn’t have any local laws against it), then yes. You can take your pot with you while flying out of YVR.
To read the policy in detail, click here! But here’s the 411 –
“YVR is committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy airport experience for everyone. We provide a smoke and vape-free environment inside the airport—at all times and for all substances—and have designated smoking and vaping areas outside the terminal building for public use.
The smoking and vaping of cannabis is permitted on airport property in dfesignated areas only—outside the terminal building in clearly marked areas. Persons smoking or vaping cannabis must use the facilities provided.
It is the responsibility of those passing through YVR to understand and adhere to all applicable local, provincial, federal, and international regulations regarding the carriage and possession of cannabis.”
Similar policies are in place for all the other Canadian airports. They clearly warn about taking cannabis with you on your flight to the U.S.
And so will we: DO NOT BRING IT WITH YOU ON FLIGHTS TO THE U.S.
So, it’s official: Vancouver International Airport became the world’s first airport to let people smoke marijuana.
That’s right—we said it. It’s not just a rumor, an urban legend, or a story that you heard from your buddy who knows a guy who knows a guy who was there when it happened. No: it’s real. And you can be there to experience it yourself.
As you wait for your flight at YVR, and step outside with your stash and light up. You’ll be able to do this at any time of day or night until all flights have landed for the evening. Then again the following morning. YVR airport is also passing out flyers informing travelers. They are hoping there will not be any situation that breaches local laws and the destination country.
Hats off to Canada for once again being pioneers in the industry. Finally allowing consumers a safe and intelligent way to medicate before catching flights. This takes the idea of mile high to a whole new meaning.
Fly on over to The Happy Campers for all the latest cannabis news and findings.