By Neelah Ali, University of Colorado Student Government 4/20 Task Force Leader
The University of Colorado Boulder is rooted in the culture of activism and political protest. In our university’s past we discover many people from many generations that have conquered and added to societal culture through a variety of platforms and podiums. So what is happening in our generation? Where do our politics and activism lie? What cultures are dominating our history?
Well… If you have not already heard… Cannabis is legal in Colorado. Many of us do not know what this means, some of us have a basic understanding and others of us are already capitalizing on the market of cannabis. While we all remember the passage of legalized cannabis a year ago, salient questions are now surfacing in the academic and student-centric community; what are the racial, economic, political and environmental implications of the implementation of Colorado Amendment 64?
With the legalization of cannabis we are beginning to see the language and social norms around marijuana change. We are amongst those that are creating the newly emerging open “Cannabis Culture.” The culture of cannabis is no longer one-sided but is becoming a multi-faceted institutional sector of our society. Tax revenue from marijuana sales is creating startling profits for our state.
Surrounded by this emerging paradigm, the CU Student Government Task Force decided to take action by hosting a pilot event regarding the genesis of recreational cannabis.
For the past two years, the CUSG 4/20 Task Force was documenting and processing responses from students, faculty, staff and community members regarding the now infamous 4/20 Norlin event, changing attitudes regarding the product, and how Boulderites feel about the reputation, and presentation of marijuana. With the knowledge and responses percolated, we have created a collective vision to cultivate this culture and open the floor to discourse and dialogue. On Wednesday, April 2, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom, CUSG will be collaborating with a multi-organizational 4/20 Task Force in hosting a variety of intellectuals from all aspects of cannabis culture. We will be creating conversation, fostering knowledge and exploring the culture of cannabis.