4/20 brings rallies -- and reporters -- to International Cannabis Day

Even before today's celebration of International Cannabis Day commences in Civic Center Park at 9 a.m., this city's booming medical marijuana business has already inspired a number of out-of-town journalists to come to Denver to cover the event. And there will be plenty to report on today, because the Cannabis...

By Patricia Calhoun

April 20, 2010

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Even before today's celebration of International Cannabis Day commences in Civic Center Park at 9 a.m., this city's booming medical marijuana business has already inspired a number of out-of-town journalists to come to Denver to cover the event.

And there will be plenty to report on today, because the Cannabis Therapy Institute, Mile High NORML and the Colorado 420 Coalition are encouraging 4/20 rally participants to cross the street and visit the Capitol, where they can "lobby their elected representatives to vote NO on HB1284 and SB109."

Yes, legislators will be debating the state's two outstanding pot bills -- on 4/20.

The full House of Representatives will debate HB1284 for the first time sometime this morning. The full Senate will hear the Conference Committee Report on SB109, to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions involving Senator Chris Romer's amendment requiring would-be patients under 23 to get two doctor referrals. Comments from the public will not be taken at either hearing.

But pot-supporters should have lots of opportunity to sound off with visiting reporters.

No word yet on when the Daily Show, which had a crew in town last week, will air its piece on pot. But here's the CNBC interview with William Breathes, Westword pot critic, that hits today.

Appropriately.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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