UNOFFICIAL HOLIDAY TO DRAW THOUSANDS

April 20 is not an official, sanctioned holiday in America, but don't try
telling that to the pot smokers who gather in parks on that day all over
the nation. "The term 'four-twenty' already means something to many
people," explained Brian Schwartz of the Campus Libertarians, a CU student
group. "It's when a bunch of people peacefully assemble, smoke a lot of
weed, and stick it to the Man."

The origin of the term is not certain, but the common belief that it is a
police code has been disproved. The most believable claim is that a group
of San Rafael high school students calling themselves the "Waldos" invented
the term in the early 1970s to fool parents and teachers about their daily
plans to rendezvous and smoke pot under the statue of Louis Pasteur at 4:20
in the afternoon.

Last year on April 20, a spontaneous demonstration by 3,000 to 4,000 people
took place on Farrand Field, and the sweet smell of marijuana filled the
air all afternoon. This year, the campus celebration has been dubbed the
Patriot Act 4-20 and it's quietly being organized by a CU student who
prefers to remain anonymous.

"We have no budget, no sponsors, no permits, only the power of the people.
I cannot expose myself as the organizer, so approaching the school for a
permit is out of the question," the organizer, patriotact420@hotmail.com,
wrote. "We have had zero arrests in previous years, if that makes you feel
good!"

The Patriot Act 4-20 will start at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at CU's
Farrand Field and will last until everyone goes home.

In Denver, legalization activist Ken Gorman is organizing the second annual
A Taste of Marijuana Festival as a 4-20 event at City Park, near the IMAX
Theater and Denver Museum of Natural History. Festivities will start at
"high noon" and will last until 7 p.m. or so.

Gorman is on parole from a six-year felony sentence for distributing
hundreds of pounds of "medical marijuana," as he termed it. "But they
haven't been able to shut me up about the things that I hold dear," he
said. Gorman's father and his brother both died of cancer complications
that could have been treated with marijuana.

Gorman was arrested again by the RTD mall police over the April 6-7 weekend
for distributing 4-20 flyers on the 16th Street Mall. Efforts to obtain the
involvement of the ACLU and lodge a complaint about First Amendment
violations are already underway.

Last year's Taste faced some difficulties, such as lack of power for
amplified music or speeches and a forced move from one park to another,
Gorman recalled. But this year an all-day permit for the use of City Park
has been obtained by Ralph Shnelvar, a candidate for the Libertarian
nomination for governor, who is donating it to A Taste of Marijuana II.
Shnelvar has invited professional comedian Michael O'Shea, other comics and
magicians to appear; see his website at www.StandUpForFreedom.org.

Gorman has recruited a slate of pro-legalization speakers, as well as
several bands, including "Dopehead," to appear at A Taste of Marijuana II.
Shnelvar and his opponent for the gubernatorial nomination of the
Libertarian Party, James Vance, have been invited to speak.

Each organizer estimated expected crowds in the thousands.