The ‘Pot holiday 4-20, is a day supposed to be set aside to celebrate the use of cannabis. The movement started before legalization of Weed was in and was intended as a ‘thumbing of the nose’ at authorities by having people all over the USA (and other places) all light up a Joint at 4:20 pm on the fourth month of the year.
Of course, pervious years have seen this done both in public and held at marijuana parties all over. In smarter, safer, and healthier jurisdictions, (most of the planet) the law still does prohibit this and permission to the addiction for profit industry has not yet been unleashed.
However, this year due to COVID-19 most of the events are said to be cancelled, and for the first time in many years, with curfews in play, will be a little easier to police detect and shut down.
Statistics coming out of the USA from the Fatality and Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that on April 20, there is an increase in driving fatalities, with an increase of 12% for that day.
‘Great Britain reports based on a 5-year study from 2011 – 2015 there was a 17.9% increased relative risk of collision from 4:20 pm and later on that day compared to a week before and after as in the US report (Vandros Acc Anyly Prev Feb 2019)’.
Californian state, county and local governments have ‘approved areas’ where the use cannabis can occur, which there are provisions in the law prohibiting this.
These events occur at, Cal Expo (in Sacramento) and annually in Golden Gate Park. There is a concern that despite the COVID-19 restrictions the public use of cannabis will be ignored, typically because cannabis users have ignored laws in the past.
There is a call for the Law Enforcement to protect and serve society on this day.
There is a call to action that in the event they see a public consumption of cannabis that they contact the police and recommendations as follows,
- If you see public use, report to the appreciate law enforcement agency and send a complaint to the ‘Bureau of Cannabis Control
- Ask for a state-wide amber alert so that the ‘Drive high get a DUI’ is activated. This alert will help other drivers know if there is any driving concerns in their area and to identify impaired drivers
- Ask for DUI check points at the cannabis events
- A call for public announcements to be made by the law enforcement agencies on public radio stations, local news, elected officials and law enforcement.
It is also advised to create and cultivate healthy relationships with elected officials and law enforcement agencies to help stop the normalisation of cannabis use.
The Cannabis Conundrum Team