Health & Self BlackState.com

20 April 2010
Posted on BlackState 20 April 2010

April 20th is apparently known as 420 or 4/20 day. A day of celebrating the benefits of Marijuana and bringing attention to the legalization debate. Medical marijuana 14 states currently have some form of legalized Marijuana uses. Most are on the west coast. California currently has a measure that will go to the citizens in the fall on whether or not to legalize Marijuana for everyone. Tax and regulate it like tobacco. If it passes other cash strapped states (like California) may look to legalization or a form of legalization as the answer to their fiscal woes.

The California initiative, “allows people 21 years old or older to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use. Permits local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years old or older. Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, using it in public, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21.” Legalization has support a poll taken in 2009 found that 56 percent of Californians supported legalization.

One of the most prominent organizations in support of legalization The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or NORML has spearheaded 4/20 Marijuana Freedom Day initiative. NORML's blog post states, “While the ravages and costs of cannabis prohibition are largely defined by one’s geography—these days America is a hodge-podge of varying cannabis penalties, ranging from West Hollywood California where a medical cannabis patient can access the herb 24/7 from a vending machine; in Indiana, if caught with just a little cannabis on one’s person, they’re getting arrested, prosecuted and likely going to jail—this ‘4/20′ celebration in 2010, as is NORML tradition, is a combination of both the serious and silly!” and that “there will be dozens of major 4/20 ‘protestivals’ today from New York City to Seattle...”

The 420 name and meaning refers to consumption of cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with cannabis drug subculture. Its probably going to be a happy National Weed Day 2010.

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