In Colorado, a pot holiday goes mainstream

NICHOLAS RICCARDI

DENVER (AP) — The 4/20 stoner holiday is going mainstream in Colorado.

April 20 has traditionally been a day for marijuana activists to defiantly light up to protest their drug of choice being outlawed. But Colorado has legalized pot. This weekend is filled with marijuana-themed activities that will culminate at a festival at a park in downtown Denver. Tens of thousands of people are expected to smoke marijuana at 4:20 p.m. MDT Sunday.

There is heavy security at the event after a shooting marred it last year. This year the festival is being run by a professional event company. It's short on pro-legalization speeches and instead crowded with vendor booths. A separate marijuana industry event called the Cannabis Cup north of downtown is also drawing thousands.