Pompo

'420' events not just grass-roots
Marijuana culture isn't so counter anymore, as a once-hidden holiday goes commercial
4/19/08| Chicago Tribune| by Jason George - Tribune reporter

"420."

Know what that means?

If so, you're probably grinning (or fretting) about now.

If not, you just might be showing your age.

Sunday marks the annual "420" holiday, when stoners around the world will gather to celebrate, and smoke, marijuana—an illegal tradition you won't find on any official calendar.

For decades, this counterculture tradition of getting high on April 20—4/20—was mostly confined to dorm rooms, hippie hide-outs and the basement of that neighbor of yours who watched cartoons all day.

No longer, though, as 420 now is going commercial. This year, the release of three documentaries, a Web-broadcast television show, concerts and stand-up comedy events have been timed to occur around April 20. The feature film "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," which opens nationwide this week, has a marketing campaign that includes "420 parties" over the weekend in several cities, including Chicago.

In fact, 420 has gotten so big that some purists fear the commercialization glosses over "the reason for the season."

But, first, some background on how it all started.

The origins of 420—pronounced "four-twenty"—go back to 1971, when a group of students at a California high school employed the code phrase "420 Louis" to indicate that they would meet, and get high, at 4:20 p.m., in front of a local Louis Pasteur statue, said Steven Hager, editor in chief of High Times magazine. Over the next 20 years the ritual of smoking pot at that time, and later, on the date of 4/20, spread virally, a "grass-roots phenomenon," according to Hager.

In recent years, authorities have also begun to take notice of the observance. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy now alerts parents and educators with a fact sheet titled "4-20—Did You Know That This Is More Than Just a Date?"

These days, 420 signals much more than a day or a holiday and is a slogan for the pro-pot lifestyle. "420?" as a question can mean "Would you like to smoke?" or "Is it cool if I smoke?"

Those three numerals also emblazon T-shirts, bumper stickers and beer. Google "420" and "marijuana" and you'll get nearly 400,000 hits, including "420-friendly" dating sites, stores selling smoking pipes and even an ironically named drug test.

"Anyone wanting to make and sell a 420-related product tends to add the number 420 anywhere they can," said Rob Griffin, webmaster of the online 420 Magazine.

This year, NORML, the oldest and largest marijuana legalization organization in the country, plans to use the day for a fundraising drive, something it started in 2007.

"Beyond the fact that many commercial entities have now latched onto it, NORML is definitely, totally taking advantage of this fantastic organic holiday," said Allen St. Pierre, the group's executive director.

In Chicago several clubs are planning events, often advertising alongside celebrations for Earth Day, which is Tuesday. It's just one association with 420, part of a drive by some adherents to make the day about more than just getting stoned.

"We need peace in the drug war, and this should be the central focus of 420, in my opinion," said Hager, the High Times editor.

One 39-year-old Chicago professional, who did not want his named used for obvious reasons, said he's all set to host his fourth annual 420 party.

"We serve pizza rolls, Lit'l Smokies, all kinds of candy bars—the munchies food I guess you'd expect," he said.

"We're all in our 30s—a mix of people, although everybody is in some kind of white-collar job, and we all enjoy an occasional smoke."

What does 420 mean to him?

"Nothing really special, I guess. It's an easy excuse," he said.

"What else are you going to do?"

SpiralArchitect

I agree. Until Marijuana is legalized it should be the main focus of the day. I mean, it's great to get together and enjoy your buds with your buds -- but until it's illegal we won't be able to 'celebrate without looking over our shoulder' -- if that makes sense.

I'm not saying go out and protest, but there are some simple things you can do ; donate, pass out pamphlets while your at your 4/20 gathering, hell, even posting here is fighting for the cause!

All in all though, I hope everyone has a fun -- and safe -- 4/20 this year. It's definetly a holiday for us to enjoy, sadly, I won't be able to enjoy it too much (Medical final test on Monday, bleh).

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