We Talked to the Mysterious Person Behind Canada’s Hidden Weed Hunt

All photos via Twitter.
You've probably already heard of the free cash campaign in San Francisco, where an anonymous individual tweeted out clues to help people find envelopes stuffed with greenbacks. Well, that kind of viral charity campaign has caught on in Canada. It started in Vancouver with an account called @HiddenCashYVR that was planting $100 bills all around the city. But, since we're talking about Vancouver here, it wasn't very long before someone had the idea to stash weed around town as well. And thus, on June 4, Hidden Weed YVR was born.

Unfortunately, since Canadian law enforcement seem to think marijuana is Satan’s flower, the complimentary cannabis bonanza has been met with finger-wagging warnings from Canadian authorities; along with the threat of a drug trafficking charge. Vancouver’s nameless weed fairy recognized the threat and, slinking deeper into the shadows of anonymity, watched the operation grow.

Dozens of clues and 14 prizes (and counting) later, Hidden Weed YVR has inspired a replica in Toronto that has spiraled into an activist campaign, which encourages conversation about prohibition and criminalization. Clarifying the purpose of their mission, Hidden Weed YVR spoke to VICE to explain that, as much as its cash and beer predecessors, their first intention is to share and have fun.

VICE: Why are you doing this?
Hidden Weed YVR: Because it's fun, and I believe that cannabis is a wonderful plant that should be shared.

How did Hidden Weed YVR start?
I saw Hidden Cash and decided to do Hidden Weed. It seemed like a fun idea. I got my Twitter account before Hidden Beer got started, but I think he hid his first beer before I hid my first buds.

How do you choose your hiding spots?
I try to spread them around the city, in places where no one will find it by accident. If I can think of a good clue for a particular spot, then that helps too.

Are you worried you’re going to get caught?
Not really. The VPD have better things to do, and they're pretty tolerant of cannabis here. There's a risk, but I don't think I'm risking jail. It's just fun, it makes people happy even if they never actually find any cannabis. It makes me feel good inside to share with others.

One of the main concerns by authorities is that children will find it, are you worried about that?
I hide it where it won't be found by accident. Only someone actively looking will find it. They're usually found within 15-30 minutes of me tweeting a clue.

Have you ever thought of expanding across Canada?
I see there's a @HiddenWeedYYZ for Toronto. That's got nothing to do with me, but I'm glad to see it spreading! I won't be flying across the country myself hiding weed in different cities though, others will need to take the initiative if it's going to spread nationwide.

The response from law enforcement to Hidden Weed has been pretty different from the beer and cash hunts. How are you handling the backlash?
I am a supporter of legalization. By celebrating cannabis with this little game, and encouraging regular people to out themselves on Twitter by following me and posting when they find a prize, I hope that in some small way, @HiddenWeedYVR is helping to contribute to the legalization of cannabis in Canada.

What’s the best strain of weed?
It's a matter of personal preference and desired effect. Strain is only one part of the equation. More important is how it was grown.

I noticed you give out Bubba Kush, Pink Kush, and Nebula. What’s the difference?
They're all good.

Is one better than the other?
Is vanilla better than chocolate? Depends on your personal preference.

What do you think would happen if someone started hiding other drugs like MDMA or cocaine?
I don't know. I won't be doing that. Cannabis is safer than those substances, and also easier to tell if it has been adulterated. White powders are very difficult to tell the purity, adulterants or safety. I might smoke some buds left anonymously, but I wouldn't be taking a pill or a powder under those conditions.

HiddenWeedYVR has definitely sparked a dialogue about prohibition. What do you want to add to the conversation?
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like alcohol. If my fun game helps normalize cannabis a little bit more and brings us slightly closer to legalization, then I'm happy.

What do you get out of doing this?
The satisfaction of spreading some fun and happiness is all the reward I need.

Do you have an end date in mind?
All things must come to an end one day, but I haven't really planned that far ahead. As long as I'm having fun with it then I'll keep hiding cannabis around town. @claudiamcneilly