[Sativa]

More than 700 people gathered in Denver's Civic Center Park today as part of the national "4/20" rally to protest laws against marijuana.

The Denver event held on April 20, or 4/20, at 4:20 p.m. drew high school and college students and others, mostly in their 20s.

"It's a weed smoking festival," said Joe Smith, 18, who recently moved to Denver from Nevada. "I believe in the medicinal benefits of marijuana."

"Everyone came together to smoke marijuana and chill," said G.K. Hoovers, 20, of Aurora. "It's been cool. There were no problems."

The rally also drew about 100 Denver Police, including the SWAT team, the mounted patrol, undercover members of the vice and narcotics bureau, the gang unit and other departments, said police spokeswoman Virginia Quinones.

"Even though marijuana smoking isn't illegal in Denver, it's still illegal in Colorado," she said.

Officers contacted people who were openly smoking marijuana and checked identification, said Quinones. Those with outstanding warrants for other crimes were arrested and the rest were given citations for possession and public consumption of marijuana. She said the number of arrests and citations wouldn't be available until later tonight.

The crowd, many wearing leis of fabric marijuana leaves, was friendly and light-hearted.

"I came on vacation to Denver for this," said Francine Popovich, 18, of Sedona, Ariz. "All of my friends at home are so jealous. Look how many people showed up. It's shows how many people want marijuana legalized."

Some visitors to Denver wandered into the gathering by mistake, including Jim and Kathy Arthur of Iowa, who walked toward downtown after seeing the Art Museum.

"It's our generation that started all of this," she said.

"We're just beer drinkers," he said. "It certainly adds to our adventure."


Newshawk: CoZmO - 420Magazine.com
Source: Rocky Mountain News (Colorado)
Author: Deborah Frazier
Copyright: 2007 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Website: Rocky Mountain News