How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana’s high holiday

[Stevicus]

How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana's high holiday

Marijuana advocates are gearing up for April 20. Known as 4/20, marijuana's high holiday on Saturday is often marked by large gatherings to smoke together.

apnews.com

Well, today is 4/20, and this article gives some background as to how 4/20 became associated with cannabis.

Apparently, it originated with some high schoolers in California, one of whom was acquainted with the Grateful Dead and hung out in their circle, so the slang started to spread in the 1970s.

Marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law, but it is legal for recreational use in 24 states, and 14 other states allow it for medicinal use.

But marijuana is still illegal under federal law. It is listed with drugs such as heroin under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has no federally accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Biden administration, however, has taken some steps toward marijuana reform. The president has pardoned thousands of people who were convicted of “simple possession” on federal land and in the District of Columbia.

The Department of Health and Human Services last year recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that marijuana be reclassified as Schedule III, which would affirm its medical use under federal law.

According to a Gallup poll last fall, 70% of adults support legalization, the highest level yet recorded by the polling firm and more than double the roughly 30% who backed it in 2000.

McPeak described 4/20 these days as a “mixed bag.” Despite the legalization movement’s progress, many smaller growers are struggling to compete against large producers, he said, and many Americans are still behind bars for weed convictions.

“We can celebrate the victories that we’ve had, and we can also strategize and organize to further the cause,” he said. “Despite the kind of complacency that some people might feel, we still got work to do. We’ve got to keep burning that shoe leather until we get everybody out of jails and prisons.”

I wonder why they don't just legalize it under federal law. It never should have been outlawed in the first place.

 

[☆Dreamwind☆]

If people can smoke cigarettes, they can smoke pot. Its already legal here anyway.

 

[Viker]

Why not? Alcohol and tobacco are legal. They're more addictive than pot. Alcohol messes up cognitive and motor functions way more than pot. In the long run, either tobacco or alcohol are deadlier than all other drugs combined. Maybe because they're still legal? I've never seen or heard a valid reason/argument for it's outlaw status.

 

[The Hammer]

Yeah it should have been legalized a long time ago. It was originally legal in the US not being outlawed until around 1906, and not widely until post 1920..

 

[☆Dreamwind☆]

Why not? Alcohol and tobacco are legal. They're more addictive than pot. Alcohol messes up cognitive and motor functions way more than pot. In the long run, either tobacco or alcohol are deadlier than all other drugs combined. Maybe because they're still legal? I've never seen or heard a valid reason/argument for it's outlaw status.

Agreed

 

[icehorse]

Legalized, of course.

In addition the current drug scheduling system is misguided and I think does a lot of harm. Weed and psychedelics are far safer than drugs like heroin and meth. It makes no sense to put them in the same category and it adds to confusion among young people.

 

[☆Dreamwind☆]

Legalized, of course.

In addition the current drug scheduling system is misguided and I think does a lot of harm. Weed and psychedelics are far safer than drugs like heroin and meth. It makes no sense to put them in the same category and it adds to confusion among young people.

Welll...long term use of any natural or chemical drug can cause negative effects.

 

[Vinayaka]

Which federal government? Believe it or not, this forum has a few people on it who aren't American.

 

[Stevicus]

Which federal government? Believe it or not, this forum has a few people on it who aren't American.

I would say it's a general question which could be applied to any national government, although I think the opening post made it clear which federal government it was.

 

[Vinayaka]

I would say it's a general question which could be applied to any national government, although I think the opening post made it clear which federal government it was.

Not applicable to my federal government, but sure.

 

[The Hammer]

US poised to ease restrictions on marijuana in historic shift, but it'll remain controlled substance

In a historic shift, the U.S. moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, AP sources say.

apnews.com

Cannabis is set to be moved to Schedule 3 classification, as opposed to schedule 1.