There are 4/20 celebrations across the world, but one of the most famous is the gathering in Norlin Quad at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Norlin Quad, a spacious section of green lawns surrounded by campus buildings, fills with 10,000 smokers who come to Boulder in support of marijuana. According to 9News, only 2,000 of these smokers are CU students, while the rest are outsiders traveling onto the open campus. Together these parties produce the giant plume of smoke that literally puts the entire city of Boulder in a haze.
Multiple emails were sent to University of Colorado students encouraging them to stay away from Norlin Quad during the festivities. Administration advocates that the event “devalues degrees” and is “expensive to manage at a time when the University’s funding is being cut back.”
Although it is clear that the University does not support the event, they have no option but to manage the crowd, even if it means using University funding. Beginning in the morning, security patrolled the campus wearing neon yellow vests and setting up parking barriers in an equivalent pattern as football game day. Without a doubt, 4/20 is a prime people-watching day on CU Boulder’s campus and students can see groups beginning to gather as the walk to their 9:30 am classes.
A disruption like this on a college campus is bound to have greater effects on the city as a whole. In fact, The entire Hill district, an area of Boulder sitting immediately West of the school becomes packed full of smokers ready to get their munchies on. Restaurants on the Hill welcome the crowds, and offer special promotions for the “holiday.” A sandwich place offers $4.20 subs and local bars decorate with green balloons making one think it could be St. Patrick’s Day. One fraternity even strategically planned a philanthropic “all you can eat tacos” event to fall on 4/20. It seems a little crazy. I mean, is it morally okay for a restaurant to openly offer a deal that supports an illegal drug? In my opinion, it’s just good marketing. The 4/20 craze will never end and year after year Boulder has no choice but to somewhat embrace it.