4/20 is National Pot Smoking Day

NEW YORK - April 20th, or 4/20, is "National Pot Smoking Day," an unofficial holiday for marijuana celebrations and legalization advocates.

Events scheduled around the country Monday celebrate marijuana and the legalization movement. In New York City, High Times magazine will hold a secret and sold out event and in San Francisco crowds are expected to celebrate at parks near the Golden Gate Bridge.

But at Boulder, Colo. students and activists are expected to celebrate what is being called the biggest 4/20 event in the world according to NORML . Speakers and a forum are being held at University of Colorado, with a 4:20 toking up in the center quad of the school . University officials are not condoning the event and sent out an email to students asking them not to participate in the events, saying it debases the reputation of the school.

Why April 20? The common history of 4/20 points to students in 1971 at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, Calif. meeting each afternoon after school at 4:20 to smoke pot. The date April 20 , 4/20, then grew out of that to become a unofficial day for marijuana. "420" also has became a term for a time to get high.

Marijuana advocates are encouraged that the discussion of legalization is becoming more widespread. They point to the fact that many state are already regulating medical marijuana and others are considering it. Also last year a bill to decrease federal penalties for possession was co-written by Representative Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat and Ron Paul, a Texas Republican. The bill failed, but may signal a new stance on the drug.

Advocates also point to the economic benefits of legalizing the drug. "Marijuana already plays a huge role in the California economy. It's a revenue opportunity we literally can't afford to ignore any longer," said Stephen Gutwillig, of the reform group Drug Policy Alliance in a Huffington Post report .