[Courtesy of Denver 420 Coalition] 4/20 is International Cannabis Day, celebrated by millions of people throughout the world. Every year on 4/20 at 4:20 pm, citizens worldwide gather together to celebrate their favorite plant. The Denver 4/20 Rally will have special significance this year since it is the first 4/20 Rally to be held since the passage of a law that makes cannabis possession the "lowest priority" for law enforcement in the city of Denver. In addition, for the first time in history, the city of Denver has granted a permit for cannabis re-legalization activists to officially hold a the 4/20 Rally in Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver. In years past, the gatherings had been small and informal, because the City refused to grant permits. Perhaps the City is finally listening to the will of the voters and will make the Rally the "lowest priority" for police that day. On the other hand, rumors are swirling that the Denver Police Department is going to use the 4/20 Rally as a training exercise for the massive protests scheduled for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Denver in August. Last year at 4/20, over 100 well-armed law enforcement officers patrolled a crowd of less than 2000 people, making 64 marijuana-related arrests. The estimated cost of the increased law enforcement presence was more than $12,000, making marijuana-related arrests cost taxpayers over $187.00 each! According to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, the police presence at the 4/20 Rally in 2007 was an example of how they already treated cannabis as the "lowest priority". Click below to watch a video of Mayor Hickenlooper claiming the police were already treating cannabis as a low priority before the Nov. 2007 vote, juxtaposed against the video of over 100 police officers arresting dozens of people at the 4/20 Rally in 2007: http://www.vflog.com/vflogs/hickenlooper/hickenlooper01.html *** History of Denver Cannabis Reform *** Denver citizens have voted 3 times in the past 3 years to legalize small amounts of cannabis for adult possession. In 2005, Denver voters passed Initiative 100 by 53% of the vote. The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative made it legal for adults over 21 years old to possess one ounce of cannabis or less in the City and County of Denver. In 2006, Denver voters passed the Amendment 44, a measure to implement the Denver initiative statewide. However, the amendment failed to get enough votes in the rest of the state and was not passed into law. But the measure was approved by 56% of Denver voters. Despite these two votes, the Mayor's did nothing to stop cannabis arrests. Instead, arrests and prosecution for marijuana offenses began increasing. In 2007, Safer Denver put a third initiative on the ballot: this time they would model their law after a successful law in Seattle, which made marijuana arrests the lowest priority for law enforcement officers. Denver voters passed the lowest priority law by 57% of the vote. See our website for details on these laws: http://www.denver420.com/legal/index.html *** Cannabis-related Tourism *** SAFER Denver modeled their "lowest priority" law after a law passed in Seattle in 2003. Since the law passed, Seattle has seen their marijuana-related arrests decrease dramatically, with no apparent negative consequences. In addition to the money saved on law enforcement and court costs, Seattle has been able to capitalize on "cannabis-related tourism" with the large and popular Seattle Hemp Fest. Over the 3-day festival, over 200,000 people attend, many from out-of-town, generating an estimated $6 million in revenue for the city and local businesses. Colorado Governor Ritter and his spokesperson Evan Dryer have been approached about how the "lowest priority" law would increase cannabis-related tourism in Colorado, and how that would benefit the economy. Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg6tu_T0I6Y *** Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel *** As required by the "lowest priority" law, Mayor Hickenlooper appointed an 11-member Marijuana Policy Review Panel to "assess and report on the effects" of the law. According to Brian Vicente, chairperson of the Panel, they have had two meetings since the election and are trying to collect hard data on current marijuana arrests and prosecutions in the City. The next meeting is not scheduled until May 28, well after the 4/20 Rally is held. *** Upcoming Legal Trainings *** 4/20 participants are encouraged to attend a series of legal trainings next week about how to protect their rights when interacting with the police. The trainings are designed for protesters at the Democratic National Convention, but the information will be very valuable and 4/20 participants are being encouraged to attend. http://www.denver420.com/events/mslc.legal.trainings.html *** What Will the Mayor Do? *** On April 20, there will be a true test of whether or not Denver Mayor Hickenlooper will listen to the Denver voters. Will police make the 4/20 Rally their "lowest priority" that day? Or will it be treated the same as it was last year, with increased law enforcement presence and arrests? Will Denver Police use it as a training exercise for the Democratic National Convention, or will they use it as a training exercise on how to look the other way? The Mayor's office has refused repeated requests to comment for this article. Proponents think 3 votes in 3 years should be enough to get the City to change its cannabis law enforcement policies. *** Call to Action *** Please call the Denver Mayor and City Council and wish them a peaceful 4/20 this year. Tell them you hope the Mayor will order the police to honor the will of the voters and make cannabis enforcement the lowest priority that day, and every day. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper Phone: 720-865-9000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.denvergov.org/mayor Denver City Council Phone: 720.865.9534 Email: [email protected] Website: www.denvergov.org/CityCouncil Remind them, that just like the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, "The whole world is watching!" http://www.jofreeman.com/photos/convention68.html For more information, see: The Denver 420 Coalition, http://www.denver420.com