FOR POT SMOKERS, IT'S ALWAYS 4:20

It seems to be sort of the 16- to 24-year-old pot generation's answer to
the classic justification for drinking early in the day -- "It has to be
five o'clock somewhere."

For youthful marijuana smokers, it's 4:20. Any time is 4:20, the universal
signal to fire up a spliff, doobie, joint, blunt, bowl, grass, weed --
whatever the kids are calling it these days.

It was 4:20 on the scenic grounds of the Alberta legislature on Wednesday,
April 20. That would have made it 4/20 (month and date), and through the
afternoon about 200 assorted young people with their skateboards and
dreadlocks began congregating.

At 4:20 p.m. (give or take a minute or two) a collective whoop went up and
the air filled with the unmistakable aroma at any Phish concert anywhere.

A trio of city police officers strolled through the grounds, but wasn't
about to start busting heads. One cop confiscated a bag of weed, but the
boys were mostly about keeping the peace. And it was plenty peaceful.

A private security staffer drove his car across the grounds, in an apparent
attempt at intimidation.

It didn't work.

"What's all the fuss," asked one MLA of the crowd.

4:20.

"Well, better than nine-eleven," he said.