Organization capitalizes on day to spread message
The closing of Farrand Field did not stop the celebration of cannabis culture on April 20.
CU students relocated on Friday to Norlin Quad, where many students celebrated the tradition of civil disobedience. Although Norlin was not the location in past years, the word spread quickly through Facebook groups and on-campus sidewalk messages.
The CU public-interest lobby known as NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) had booths set up at the Quad from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There, the group sold T-shirts, brownies and sunglasses. NORML also hosted a concert at noon at the UMC Fountain area where attendees were asked to donate laptops for Zimbabwean college students.
The event was also a means for education about marijuana support groups like SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation) According to their Web site, SAFER has been involved with the CU and CSU campuses to pass administrative measures for alcohol and marijuana penalties on campus to be equal to one another.
“Students at 50 universities around the country, including many NORML chapters, will be using the traditional marijuana holiday to flood their campuses with flyers including information about marijuana and the fact that it is SAFER than alcohol,” SAFER’s Web site reads.
Last year’s celebration got media attention when some students were photographed and punished on charges of trespassing on the closed Farrand Field. According to CU Spokesman Bronson Hilliard, the administration found photographing to be non-effective and decided not to use that method this year.
According to the Daily Camera, only a handful of tickets were issued to students who were caught smoking.
The Camera also noted that the CU Police Department felt that students could have showed their support in a different way, such as a public gathering to rally for marijuana legalization.
“Make your point, but don’t break the law,” he said
At 9 p.m. many students headed over to the Fox Theatre on the Hill to hear Zilla, a band from Boulder that plays improvisational jam music. Zilla also played at the same venue last year on 4/20.
NORML’s next informational meeting will be held on May 1 at 7 p.m. in Humanities 250.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Amanda Pehrson at amanda.pehrson@thecampuspress.com
