April 20 is widely known as the unofficial pot-smoking day, when scores of youngsters across America, specifically in the Northern region, flock in public and smoke marijuana.
However, the trend has left most parents fuming, some even demanding strict action to at least keep teenagers away from the marijuana festival.
If we had an event where children were being offered tequila shots, we would all be in an uproar. So, why are we not upset about pot smoking? pointed out an enraged parent of a Vancouver high school student.
Inge Mueller-Langer told CBC News, I don’t think it's very responsible. I think the school should instead be educating our children about the potential long-term effects of smoking pot when you are a teenager.
Tibor Palatinus of Narcononalso asserted in the news report that “It is not a festival…. It’s a pot promotion. It's a weed-selling promotion. Sponsored and promoted by drug dealers, that’s what is going on.
Surprisingly, celebrities like Rihanna, Snoop Dog and several others were also spotted talking about the 4:20 day on public forum. They wished their fans, followers and friends a happy 420, openly on Twitter.
Popularly known as 4:20, its origin dates back to the 1970s. It first began in a California High School, where students gathered at 4:20 p.m. to smoke-up.
Take a look at the Annual Marijuana Rally in the slideshow.
A man smokes marijuana during a 4/20 rally to demand the legalization of marijuana on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 20, 2012. Marijuana enthusiasts across Canada gather by the thousands every year on April 20 for an international celebration-cum-protest for marijuana legalization. ReutersLawmakers in Colorado met Friday to review 58 recommendations on marijuana regulations, including limits to"pot tourism."
ReutersA smoke cloud is seen over the crowd at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the annual 420 day promoting the use of marijuana in Vancouver, British Columbia April 20, 2012.ReutersA women holds up bags of marijuana for sale at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the annual 420 day promoting the use of marijuana in Vancouver, British Columbia April 20, 2012. ReutersMen smoke marijuana during a 4/20 rally to demand the legalization of marijuana on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 20, 2012. Marijuana enthusiasts across Canada gather by the thousands every year on April 20 for an international celebration-cum-protest for marijuana legalization.ReutersA woman embraces her friend during a 4/20 rally to demand the legalization of marijuana outside the Senate building in Mexico City April 20, 2012. Marijuana enthusiasts across the world gather every year on April 20 for an international celebration-cum-protest for marijuana legalization. The words read, "Legalize it"ReutersWill Washington or Colorado become the next Amsterdam? With ballot measures to legalize pot in both states likely to pass, some say the states could attract "marijuana tourists."ReutersPeople smoke marijuana joints at 4:20 p.m. as thousands of marijuana advocates gathered at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California April 20, 2012. The event was held on April 20, a date corresponding with a numerical 4/20 code widely known within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things marijuana.ReutersA women wearing novelty sunglasses with artificial marijuana leaves smokes a marijuana joint at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the annual 420 day promoting the use of marijuana in Vancouver, British Columbia April 20, 2012. ReutersMarijuana paraphernalia is displayed during a 4/20 rally to demand the legalization of marijuana outside the Senate building in Mexico City April 20, 2012. Marijuana enthusiasts across the world gather every year on April 20 for an international celebration-cum-protest for marijuana legalizationReuters