Past 420 traditions go up in smoke
By Richard Clough
April 19, 2006 9:00 p.m.
Where have all the stoners gone?
Many longtime Westwood residents might recall those hazier days
when students would pack Meyerhoff Park to smoke marijuana on the
traditional smoker holiday known as 420. But in recent years, April
20 has been more or less like any other day on campus, as students
have taken their toking elsewhere.
“It certainly has changed,” said Berky Nelson,
director of the Center for Student Programming. “Five or six
years ago you had hundreds of people (smoking on
campus).”
Though its origins are disputed, 420 (pronounced
“four-twenty”) refers both to the date April 20 and the
time 4:20, which have become popular occasions to smoke
marijuana.
Even if students are no longer taking the occasion to publicly
smoke, many still have big celebration plans.
“I’m going to smoke a bunch of marijuana. It’s
going to be a celebration of American freedom. I know it is illegal
technically, (but) it’s kind of our own way of sticking it to
the man,” said Tim Han, a second-year English and linguistics
student.
“It’s something we like to do, and something that
doesn’t harm anyone,” he added. “It’s kind
of like smoking a cigarette, but way cooler.”
A recent UCLA graduate who asked to be identified only by his
nickname, Is, said he was planning to drive to UCLA after work
today to smoke out with his friends.
He said many of his friends get high, but 420 has significance
even for many who otherwise wouldn’t know a roach from a
cockroach.
“Most people that I know that never do it, for 420 they
will,” he said. “They’ll make an exception for
the occasion.”
The university police not generally have more officers on patrol
for the date, but they are on the lookout for illegal 420
celebrations.
“We’re aware of the date and the types of activities
that might go on and plan accordingly,” said Nancy
Greenstein, director of UCPD community services.
A joint effort between university police and the Student Affairs
Office has attempted in past years to educate students about the
consequences of getting caught smoking marijuana.
But some believe these campaigns have had only a blunted effect
at best.
Nelson attributed the on-campus reefer recession not to law
enforcement but rather to student sensibility.
“Obviously they don’t want to jeopardize their
standing at the institution, and really, it’s not worth the
gamble because it’s so hard to get in here,” he
said.
But some students will still smoke a J on campus.
Both Is and Han said they have blazed on campus. Both have also
heard about the public smoke-outs of the past.
“If I was a student now, I think I would be down.
I’ve heard that people still do it, but some people are
discreet,” Is said.
Han lamented the gradual phasing out of on-campus toking.
“It’s kind of sad that we have so many restrictions
put on us now,” he said.
With reports from Sara Taylor, Bruin senior staff.
