Pubdate: Sun, 21 Apr 2013
Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Copyright: 2013 The Commercial Appeal
Contact: http://web.commercialappeal.com/newgo/forms/letters.htm
Website: http://www.commercialappeal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Author: Timberly Moore
Page: 1B

MARIJUANA SMOKERS CELEBRATE COUNTERCULTURE HOLIDAY 4/20

Keoka Washington, 25, said she started smoking weed at 11 a.m. 
Saturday to "get a head start" on celebrating the counterculture 
holiday 4/20. She and nine of her closest friends revel in the 
holiday that marijuana users refer to as "smokeout day" by firing up 
a blunt and eating.

"You can bite and smoke at the same time," Washington said. "We pass 
it. We're a group. Sharing is caring."

April 20 is the day that smoking weed was made popular by rock band 
Grateful Dead, but the origins of the phrase have been disputed. 
Smokers gathered at Overton Park discreetly mixed into a crowd of 
others who barbecued, walked their pets and enjoyed the sunny weather 
on blankets.

Police tried to deter illegal activity by patrolling the park 
throughout the day.

"Officers are aware of the significance of 4/20 and have been 
instructed to patrol areas that they have identified as possible 
gathering locations," said police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph.

As a counter response to the day, about 200 parents, in Memphis and 
Millington, received free home drug kits to test their children from 
Rural/Metro Corp. and other organizations.

At Overton Park, owners of the clothing line PRPL, which stands for 
Pillage, Raid, Plunder and Loot, opened a popup shop to promote their 
special 4/20 collection. Shirts featuring Marilyn Monroe smoking and 
Bugs Bunny with bloodshot eyes decorated the white tent where Xavier 
Jones, PRPL co-owner, and his crew hosted a cookout.

"I do not smoke," Jones said. "It's just a collection for the 
culture. We do have a respect for the medicinal purposes of THC 
(Tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical found in marijuana)."

The unorthodox observance fell two days after U. S. Rep. Steve Cohen, 
D-Tenn., introduced a bill Thursday to create a commission to study 
federal cannabis laws after a research center's poll showed that a 
majority of Americans think marijuana should be legalized. Cohen 
asked President Barack Obama in February to reconsider pursuing the 
decades- old war on drugs, which Cohen maintains is a waste of resources.

DJ Cush, a local reggae music jockey, said he doesn't use hard drugs 
like cocaine or heroine, just "herb."

"If you read the Bible, God gave man all seed-bearing plants to use," 
said Cush, who said he smokes three to four times daily. "When people 
use weed they aren't hurting anyone. Like some people take their 
Prozac, we take our herb."

Kevin Collum, 33, said he took his family to the zoo before letting 
his children play in Overton Park. He said he appreciated the police 
presence so his children wouldn't have to witness others breaking the law.

"I'm familiar with the tradition, but it seems like a pretty mild 
day," said Collum, who imagines a typical celebration would have 
involved hundreds of people.

Collum said he tried pot when he was younger, but stopped because he grew up.

"I don't get it," Collum said. "What's the difference in getting high 
today or tomorrow? If you're my age and you're still celebrating 
4/20, you need to re-evaluate your life."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom