| William Breathes. |
>em>High Times Magazine threw arguable the biggest private pot parties in the nation over the weekend, drawing tens of thousands of people over two days to the Exdo Events Center in Denver for the magazine’s third cannabis contest in as many years. Past events were all medical cups. But this year’s was billed as the first true Cannabis Cup that was open to everyone.
And apparently, that word got out to everyone. In our two days at the festival, we met dozens of folks from Texas, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and even a few awesome Kiwis from New Zealand – including the owner of New Zealand’s only hemp store. All were blown away by the open use around them – which is completely understandable when you come from places where marijuana isn’t as tolerated as Colorado. Shit, it was even impressive in scope for those of us used to such spectacles.
San Diego City Council is considering allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in the city again, and will take up the topic today at their Monday council meeting.
After ordinances allowing dispensaries – albeit with very strict regulations – were nullified in 2011, the city has been without medical marijuana laws. The existing shops were deemed illegal and the city shut down the roughly 100 or so in town.
The shooting at Saturday’s 4/20 celebration put a damper on an event that was seen by organizers as a way to make Denver the center of marijuana reform nationwide.
At this writing, the Denver Police Department still has no one in custody for the crime. However, the department has identified what reps refer to as a “possible suspect” in the case — one captured on a video shared yesterday. Denver Westword has the 411.
For months, anticipation has built toward this year’s 4/20 Rally at Civic Center Park, touted as a mix of pot, hip hop and serious politics to be witnessed by locals and visitors from all over the country.
Yet the positive nature of the event was countered by a shooting after the clock struck 4:20 in which three people were injured. Denver Westword has your local coverage.
| Stoner MacGyver. |
Now and then, companies send us medical marijuana-related products ranging from vaporizers to board games to books. We’ll be showcasing them in our new, quasi-regular product review section, Stoner MacGyver.
The latest? The Magic Flight Launch Box.
| TokeoftheTown.com |
Puffing herb is one of my favorite past-times. To that end, I celebrate 4/20 all 365 days a year. I consider myself a pro now, but it wasn’t always that way. In high school, there was a lot of anticipation around my celebration of 4/20. Local dealers were contacted weeks in advance to source the required nug (gotta avoid price gouging and scarcity issues).
Bud in hand, we’d huddle over the brown brick of what we’d convince ourselves was “fire” and extract every last morsel of bud off the stems. Cigarellos were broken down, licked excessively, then re-purposed together like some bastardized Transformer known for its power of getting ridiculously stoned. In short: we were idiots. So for those who plan on partoking tomorrow, here are five things you can do to greatly improve your day that I’ve learned in my (high) life.
| Kim Sidwell/Cannabis Camera. |
We’ve always thrown a pretty good party on 4/20 here in Colorado, but this year has the makings to be the largest, best yet (our pro-Colorado bias aside). We’ll have a report here Saturday evening and our roving team (ie. me) will be tweeting all day about the rally, the High Times Cannabis Cup, Slightly Stoopid at the famous Red Rocks amphitheater and whatever else we find ourselves getting into (probably lots of cannabis. really, really good cannabis).
For those stuck at home wanting to know what it’s going to be like tomorrow afternoon here in the Mile High, we’ve got a slideshow of last year’s events from Toke of the Town friend, photographer and documentary artist Kim Sidwell with Cannabis Camera. Enjoy!
| Eric Holder. |
Nearly six months after Colorado and Washington voters approved measures legalizing small amounts of marijuana and marijuana dispensaries, Attorney General Eric Holder says he is still trying to make up his mind whether to drop the hammer or not.
According to an Associated Press report, Holder told a House Appropriations subcommittee Thursday that he would be enforcing federal law – something he has said all along. But he hasn’t come out and said just how much he’d be enforcing it. That is to say, he’s considering whether or not to sue the states to stop the initiatives from being implemented altogether.
| Addy, driving stoned on a closed course in Wash. |
The current incarnation of Colorado House Bill 1114, also known as the THC driving bill, gained House approval earlier this month and is headed for the Senate Judiciary Committee April 22 — the Monday after the 4/20 weekend.
Given that timing, several activists — including Cannabis University founder Michelle LaMay — are urging 4/20 revelers to use taxis and public transportation, as police may be looking for marijuana-impaired drivers. Denver Westword has the rest.
| Timothy Norris. |
Cheech and Chong are back in theaters just in time for the big weekend when you get really, really baked. Wait, that’s every weekend….
Earlier this week our photog caught the arrivals on the Red Green Carpet with attendees Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Horatio Sanz, Tommy Davidson, Marisa Saks, Lou Adler, Nic Adler, Cisco Adler, Alonzo Bodden, Lance Broadway, Ron Jeremy and more. LA Weekly has a photo slide show of the stoney event. Page down for the trailer and screening locations.