Pubdate: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Larisa Bolivar 4/20 RALLY ORGANIZERS HOPING FOR PERMIT OK Things are moving forward for the Denver 4/20 Rally. After rescinding a letter that appeared to the Denver City Council to be a threat to promote public consumption of marijuana, rally organizers have clarified that they will promote the message that they have always promoted: Smoking marijuana in public remains illegal, and possession, consumption and distribution of marijuana to people under 21 is strictly forbidden. In a letter to chief organizer Miguel Lopez, the city of Denver has instructed the executive director of Parks and Recreation to work with rally-goers, including adding special conditions to the permit prior to issuance. In moving forward with the permit, there are important facts to consider regarding the cultural, historical, political and economic significance that the 4/20 Rally has in Denver. April 20 is an international marijuana holiday. People have been going to the rally for nearly 20 years by the hundreds, and sometimes thousands, even before the rally was issued a permit. Since it has been permitted, the event has become world-renowned. Now that Amendment 64 passed, legalizing recreational marijuana, it is a safe assumption that Denver will become a mecca for 4/20 celebrations for generations to come. The economic implications of this are huge. People coming to Denver from within and outside of the state to participate in 4/20-related events will be injecting a tremendous amount of money into the economy of Denver and surrounding cities by spending on lodging, food and entertainment. The rally has the potential to provide a consistent revenue flow for Denver and the state. These are changing times, indeed. Sixty-six percent of Denver residents voted for marijuana legalization, and the result is less party and more business. Since the end of Prohibition, alcohol has grown to become a $400 billion industry. Marijuana is also projected to be a $100 billion industry, and that is not considering ancillary market growth. This is nothing to be ashamed of, and something to instead steward responsibly. Part of that is ensuring public safety during gatherings, such as the Denver 4/20 Rally. In fact, public safety is a huge consideration for the Denver 4/20 Rally. A permitted event gives accountability to the organizers, who can provide the infrastructure necessary to ensure as secure an event as possible with thousands of people in attendance. This year's security budget is over $100,000 and will include fencing, security checkpoints, and armed guards protecting rally-goers and maintaining order. Finally, and most important, the 4/20 Rally is a political event that reaches out to thousands of marginalized voters. The rally is the single largest annual gathering of potential minority voters in the state. Through voter registration drives and educational political speeches, rally-goers have an opportunity to learn how to be civically engaged. While the rally does provide entertainment that celebrates the marijuana culture, it is and always will be a political event that fights for drug policy reform as well as human and civil rights. The Denver 4/20 Rally organizers expect that the permit will be issued this year. It has been a rough road for everyone in getting used to these new marijuana laws, and rally organizers understand the concerns of Denver city officials and look forward to the show going on as planned. Larisa Bolivar studies marijuana policy at Regis University and is press secretary for the Denver 4/20 Rally. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt