Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press
Page: 9A

POT HOLIDAY ENTERS MAINSTREAM IN COLORADO

Denver (AP) - Once the province of activists and stoners, the
traditional pot holiday of April 20 has gone mainstream in the first
state in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana.

Tens of thousands gathered for a weekend of Colorado cannabis-themed
festivals and entertainment, from a marijuana industry expo called the
Cannabis Cup at a trade center north of downtown to 4/20-themed
concerts at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater to a massive festival
at Civic Center Park, in the shadow of the state capitol.

The smokeout was planned despite public consumption of marijuana
remaining illegal in Colorado.

The pot holiday started as a defiant gathering of marijuana activists,
but this year the Civic Center Park event has an official city permit,
is organized by an events management company and featured booths
selling funnel cakes and Greek food next to kiosks hawking hemp
lollipops and glass pipes.

Gavin Beldt, one of the organizers, said in a statement that the event
is now a "celebration of legal status for its use in Colorado and our
launch of an exciting new experience for those attending."
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MAP posted-by: Matt