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| 4/20 Fans Hold Tokin' Celebration |
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Posted by CN Staff on April 21, 2004 at 10:45:07 PT By Mary Butler, Camera Staff Writer Source: Daily Camera 
A cloud of smoke wafted over Farrand Field on Tuesday — or 4/20 — as more than 1,000 University of Colorado students lit up at 4:20 p.m. to celebrate the unofficial pot smokers' tea time. "Happy 4/20 stoners!" Mike Reilly yelled through a megaphone, not taking the opportunity to light up himself. Many in the crowd waited all day to experience the moment, camped out on blankets and lawn chairs. Some videotaped the session, others took photos and plenty of people just breathed deeply and soaked it all in. Reilly estimated there were 3,000 people gathered in the field. But it was hard to know for sure. The Grateful Dead organized the first 4/20 celebration in 1979 in San Jose, Calif., where "420" was the local police code for marijuana smoking. CU freshman Adam Stroul said Boulder's 4/20 is "famous." "I probably heard about it four years ago. My buddy's older brother went here and told us about it," he said. The Princeton Review, which named CU as the nation's No. 1 party school in 2003, also ranked the institution No. 4 for marijuana use. CU adminstrators, who have tried to shake the party-school image, aren't thrilled with the 4/20 event, but it's hard to stop because "it's become almost a tradition" at more universities than just CU, said Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs. "It doesn't help our image obviously, and it's something we're concerned about," he said. "But it's something I think is going to be there for awhile." Raul Pinto — who handed out free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on behalf of the Satellite skateboard shop — said it was the largest turnout he'd seen in the past three years. While the Boulder shop used the event to get its name out, several groups took the opportunity to make money. Delta Lambda Phi held a "Free Martha Get Baked Sale." Freshman Stroul sold $10 souvenir T-shirts bearing a diagram showing the growth process of marijuana, which flowed into what happens within the body when pot is smoked. The shirt read, "Support High(er) Education," and "Farrand Field 2004." CU police stayed on the sidelines, making sure the gathering didn't get out of hand. "But typically, people just show up, smoke a marijuana cigarette and leave," Lt. Tim McGraw said. CU police said no arrests were made and no citations were issued. McGraw said possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana is a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a $100 fine. Littering, for example, carries greater consequences in Colorado. McGraw said it was impractical to enforce marijuana laws in connection with such a large gathering. "We don't want to create a larger issue than we're presented with," McGraw said. Camera Staff Writer Amy Hebert contributed to this report. Note: Thousands show up at Farrand Field for mass smokeout. Source: Daily Camera (CO) Related Articles: 'Faded on Farrand Field' Potheads Ready To Roll on Day They Call 4:20 Smokers Celebrate Joys of Marijuana on Holiday Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 24, 2004 at 09:19:14 PT |
| FLINT MARIJUANA MARCH AND FESTIVAL, third annual held by Flint NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), May 1, noon-8:30 p.m. at Riverbank Park and Amphitheater, Saginaw Street, followed by parties at 9 p.m. at Churchill's, 340 S. Saginaw St. and Club What's Next, 2511 W. Pasadena Ave. Flint NORML will launch a medical marijuana petition in early May. There will be speakers including medical marijuana patients and musical entertainment. Brian Morrissey, (810) 424-9512 or FlintNORML@globalhemp.,com. http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/features-1/108282226218040.xml [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Virgil on April 21, 2004 at 12:24:27 PT |
| It is too bad that in four and half years the UN will wipe cannabis and all other illicit plants off the face of the earth. Just when we were starting to appreciate the miracle of the plant too. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on April 21, 2004 at 11:14:45 PT |
| 420 was never a police code to identify marijuana smokers. This has been researched thoroughly, so why do the journalists keep reporting that it's a police code. I guess it's sexier than the accepted version: 420 was the time college students in california would meet every day to smoke a little weed after classes. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on April 21, 2004 at 11:05:56 PT |
| In Albuquerque the nazis closed a city park rather than let anyone celebrate. It's hard to imagine these two police forces existing in the same country, yet they do. [ Post Comment ] |
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