cannabisnews.com: The History of 4/20 at CU





The History of 4/20 at CU
Posted by CN Staff on April 20, 2007 at 07:26:54 PT
By Gary Black
Source: Campus Press
Colorado -- Yet another 4/20 is upon us at CU, and the climate seems to be urging students to smoke marijuana on the Norlin Quad.Earlier this week, a sidewalk chalk spread the message, "4:20. 4/20/2007. Norlin Quad. Be there!" Graffiti in one of the bathroom stalls in the Norlin Library reads, "4/20 in the Quad this year. Don't get shut out." And a spray-painted "Defend 420" lurks on the ground for passers-by.
The 4/20 celebration has been going on at CU since at least 2001. The Campus Press made a reference to it in an article, written in 2002, titled "Up in smoke." Prior to 2001, coverage is scarce in both The Colorado Daily and The Campus Press. Needless to say, the event has become very popular in recent years.Farrand field used to be the designated spot to participate in the 4/20 celebration. The sprinklers were turned on, but the event continued. Last year, Farrand field was closed down. However, at about 4 p.m., the field was rushed. Little did anyone know the police took photos of people on the field. The police later posted the photos on the Internet and offered $50 to anyone able to identify smokers. Farrand field is closed this year because of construction, so the Norlin Quad may end up the new spot for a student gathering. With the university cracking down on the 4/20 ritual, it opens the door for protest from students and community members."Go into it with the proper mindset," said Paul Danish, who served as editor of the Colorado Daily when it was CU's school newspaper. Danish worked with the school newspaper in 1964 when the University made its first big drug bust and has served as a Boulder County Commissioner. "If you're doing it, think of it as civil disobedience," Danish said. Sanho Tree is the director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C., and served on several panels during the Conference on World Affairs."You know, there are more effective things for kids to do to fight drug prohibition than go out and smoke pot in public," Tree said during a CWA panel discussion.Note: The day marks popular civil disobedience starting in 2001.Source: Campus Press (CO)Author: Gary BlackPublished: Friday, April 20, 2007Copyright: 2007 Campus Press Contact: jaclyn.grossfield colorado.edu Website: http://www.thecampuspress.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 13:53:51 PT
whig
I never heard of it before. Thanks. I learn from listening mostly. I can't do a lot of reading because I can't absorb what I am reading so I go from life adventure to life adventure and then do a lot of self analysis and then I quietly sort thru it all and form an opinion. I don't learn as much from reading as I do just living. 
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Comment #21 posted by whig on April 21, 2007 at 13:24:13 PT
Claddagh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring
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Comment #20 posted by whig on April 21, 2007 at 13:23:47 PT
FoM
Sometimes I need to run ahead a little bit to scout a ways, then come back and talk about it. Sometimes I go back to see the people who are still far behind. Sometimes I run into people who have been way out in front of me, and who tell me the things that I need to hear.We are all equals, we all have unique perspectives to share. I might know something about a particular road, but nothing about a better one. I'm always listening, even when I seem to be speaking too much. I would speak less if I didn't think there were silent readers who might benefit from my own thoughts even when they are mistaken, because I do learn from the thoughts of others in the same way.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 13:21:18 PT
claddagh
What's that? LOL!
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Comment #18 posted by whig on April 21, 2007 at 13:19:39 PT
FoM
I agree. I wear a claddagh you know, so I'm part Irish now.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 12:47:35 PT
whig
There's an old Irish saying that goes like this.***Don't walk in front of me.I may not follow.Don't walk behind me.I may not lead.Walk beside meAnd just be my friend.***That's how we can find common ground. We need common ground. Our world needs some level headed stability.
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Comment #16 posted by whig on April 21, 2007 at 12:01:09 PT
FoM
We aren't kids, and I think it's pretty effective for us to see and talk to one another while using cannabis. It's not so effective from the standpoint of those who are looking for ways to suppress us. It lets us communicate more effectively. It lets us see one another as equals, no matter what station we may have come from. It lets us work together, to change the laws and make it possible for us to do this more often and more openly. Which is a pretty darn effective way of making the laws of prohibition against cannabis unenforceable.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 09:13:09 PT
Ekim
I wasn't sure if you understood why I minded this statement by Sanho Tree but being critical of a special Cannabis culture just for trying to celebrate a special holiday isn't a nice thing to do. I would never say his work or pleasure is not worth doing.Quote By Sanho Tree: "You know, there are more effective things for kids to do to fight drug prohibition than go out and smoke pot in public," Tree said during a CWA panel discussion.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 07:45:11 PT
OT: Thanks You Senator Leahy
U.S. Senator Blocks Aid To Colombian MilitaryBy Pablo Bachelet, McClatchy NewspapersApril 18, 2007WASHINGTON - A powerful U.S. senator placed a hold on $55 million in aid to Colombian security forces because of alleged links with paramilitary death squads, three rights organizations said Wednesday. The State Department freed the funds earlier this month after certifying that Colombia had made sufficient advances on human rights. Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who chairs the State, Foreign Operations subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, wants the State Department to explain the certification more, his office said. http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/17098624.htm
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on April 21, 2007 at 06:46:05 PT
ekim
I remember watching him on a tv program years ago. He is a drug war person and I never heard him even mention cannabis on that program. I don't comment on people who are into the drug war issue. Cannabis is not a hard drugs. 
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Comment #12 posted by ekim on April 21, 2007 at 05:37:21 PT
FoM --Sanho Tree
He was at WMU in Kal a while back for a debate with one of the leading judges and head state police nark. All i can say is that MR Tree was just great and i have found him to be very well informed. He brings the issue home as it is true, there are way more who use then will get out and try to do something about ending this war.
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Comment #11 posted by whig on April 20, 2007 at 11:44:50 PT
Hope
Isn't that how it feels for us all?I think I'm going to take a day trip to San Francisco. See ya.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on April 20, 2007 at 10:32:46 PT
Hope
Thank you. I hope everyone has a safe and happy day.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on April 20, 2007 at 09:37:53 PT
Hymn 420
http://www.eclecticboutique.com/Hymn420.jpgBreathe On Me, Breath of God.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on April 20, 2007 at 09:28:23 PT
Dongenero is right, FoM.
You do so much for the reform cause. So much. And you do it every day, day in and day out, year in and year out. Your committment to our righteous cause is amazing wonderful. Thank you, so much.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 20, 2007 at 09:19:17 PT
dongenero
Thank you. That made me smile.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on April 20, 2007 at 09:12:20 PT
"opposing team"
It's not a game!!! You are not, nor are we, the "opposing team".You're the fascist bullies. Those young people protesting the present situation are the sons and daughters of liberty!Teams? It's NOT A GAME!
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on April 20, 2007 at 08:56:52 PT
You too FoM
Happy 4/20!And this would be a good time to thank you again for the great work you do here, with cannabisnews.com, throughout the year.
I think you are responsible for a great amount of momentum toward freeing cannabis. Thanks!!!
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 20, 2007 at 08:36:44 PT
Dongenero
I agree. Happy 420!
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Comment #3 posted by dongenero on April 20, 2007 at 08:27:55 PT
comment
"You know, there are more effective things for kids to do to fight drug prohibition than go out and smoke pot in public," Tree said during a CWA panel discussion."Ah maybe, but few are as fun.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 20, 2007 at 07:32:28 PT
Related Article from CBS4Denver.com
CU Police Ready For Annual 4/20 Pot GatheringApril 20, 2007University of Colorado police plan to once again monitor the annual 4/20 celebration of marijuana on campus Friday. The annual gathering of hundreds of people usually features students and other smoking weed in front of officers."Without giving the opposing team the playbook we will be there to monitor it will be low key as always is and we will respond to what we are presented with," said Cmdr. Brad Wiesley of CU Police.Wiesley said officers have tried to stop the annual gathering at Farrand Field with fences, sprinklers and even snitches. Last year, police posted pictures of the participants on the Internet and asked tipsters to ID the violators.The local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws plans to hold its own 4/20 gathering at CU Friday that won't feature smoking pot."Instead of 4/20 being a day where 5,000 stoners come to Farrand Field and tear down signs and wreak havoc," said Summer Weirich, the organization's CU chapter head. "We'd like to make 4/20 remembered in future years as a time where we can be activists and be one instead of breaking the law."This year's smokefest will certainly have to change locations since Farrand Field is under construction. It is expected to take place at CU's Norlin Quad instead. Copyright: 2007 CBS4Denver.comVideo: http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_110084951.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 20, 2007 at 07:28:33 PT
Sanho Tree?
I recognize the name but why is he being critical of 4/20? Is he a marijuana law only reformer? 
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