An Open Letter to Colorado 420ers: Clean Up Next Time
After two years off because of COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting large gatherings, the marijuana-themed Mile High 420 Festival returned to Denver on Wednesday, April 20th to thousands of attendees. However, a very uncool mess was left behind by the attendees leaving a bad taste in the mouths of many.
The 2022 Mile High 420 Festival
Even before recreational marijuana was legal in Colorado, marijuana enthusiasts across the state would gather in huge numbers to celebrate the stoner holiday of April 20th or, as it is affectionately known, 4/20. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 would-be festivals were not able to take place.
Since legalizing recreational marijuana in Colorado, a large gathering has taken place in front of the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver's City Center Park. It has been here that thousands of marijuana enthusiasts have enjoyed free live music, famous speakers, and have celebrated their freedom to smoke en masse.
Finally, after two years away, the Mile High 420 Festival returned to City Center Park with live music from the likes of Big Boi, Li'l Jon, and Tab Kweli, along with vendor booths and a whole lot of pot-friendly fun.
However, it was what was left behind after the festival that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Hey Colorado 420ers, Don't Blow It
Look, I get it, there is always going to be trash to pick up after a big concert, but we have to be extra careful with this particular festival.
Let's not forget about the past festivals in Boulder where authorities took pictures of the crowd and asked people to identify their friends smoking in the photos. Or how about the time that the liquor license was pulled from the Method Man/Redman/Cypress Hill show in Five Points on 4/20 because concertgoers couldn't stop smoking weed in front of security and law enforcement?
We're pretty fortunate to have legal weed in Colorado and just because it's legal doesn't mean you can do whatever you want on 4/20 without consequences.
Here are some examples of what not to do at next year's 4/20 festival in Denver:
On second thought, that guy might actually be picking up trash, so if that's the case, be like him next time.