Everyone knows April 20^th as the stoner holiday. 4/20 will probably always be known in America as the day that marijuana die-hards skip work or class and conglomerate to roast as much herb as humanly possible. Sure, it’s great to get out and support a cause that has been revolutionizing not only our state but also the nation. It’s wonderful to get together with friends and tons of new people you may have never met, united by giant joints and new fangled smoking contraptions the world has yet to see. But amidst the general sense of revelry that looms on the near horizon, I would love to tell a few tales of caution for those visiting Boulder, or locals planning to indulge on the holiday.

For one, it is not legal to smoke marijuana out of doors, meaning the state has allowed us this great right under the agreement that we use marijuana responsibly in our homes or private property. Loopholes of every sort have emerged to get around this no smoking publicly law, namely renting a private vehicle where people can indulge. Some companies park a limo outside of venues and allow people to come on for a small few to toke up and then head back into their concert. I’m all for working the system, I’m all for letting people relax and catch their own small piece of our Rocky Mountain High. But just as I cautioned consumers of recreational drugs on St. Patty’s day, please please be aware of yourself and those around you on this approaching day of marijuana excess.

Perhaps the biggest danger, and its really not very dangerous, is the over consumption of edibles. People need to understand that eating marijuana will give them a different sort of high than a few puffs will, and that this edible high can last hours longer than the normal smoking experience. Often edibles can send people for deep insightful psychedelic type trips for which they are rather unprepared. If you’re a seasoned vet to both smoking and edibles, encourage the proper use amongst your peers so no one has a bad time. With sweeping edible regulations we now have accurately dosed items, and everyone should stick more or less to the guidelines set forth if they wish to have a positive experience.

For those attending the Denver Cannabis Cup: do not try everything. It is tempting I know, all the shiny glass and free samples. It is truly a stoner mecca. My only word of advice is enjoy yourself and your new found Colorado freedoms responsibly. Don’t be the guy passed out along the fence from too many free Dabs, and please don’t be the girl throwing up and asking for a ride to the hospital because you sampled 17 different free brownies. Eating 10 different edibles is like taking 10 different shots of different colored liquor. You are certainly destined for a rough gastro-intestinal time. Marijuana IS a drug, and it should be respected as such. Don’t get caught up in the joy of the occasion and be the friend who ruins it for everyone else because you went overboard.

For those who choose to forego the generally unnecessary levels of overconsumption induced by the presence of cannabis cups, there is the Horticulture 360 event at Denver Mart. This is a phenomenal expo of industry leaders that are defining the techniques for lighting and growing marijuana. If you are new or old to this industry this place is bound to be enlightening. Hundreds of vendors will be there to demo cutting edge lighting solutions, soil and nutrient regimens, and much more. If you’d rather learn some great stuff than smoke all the great stuff, this is the place for you and it is going on today and tomorrow. Tickets are available at the event.

Lastly, but definitely not least; please don’t try smuggling anything from Colorado out of state. It is important to remember that as we enjoy the success of our laws and our newly blossoming culture, that we do not put a negative filter on how the rest of the country views what we are doing. Being a safe and smart consumer is the best way to help further this growing agenda of legal marijuana for all adults. That said, I wish everyone a happy and healthy 4/20 – celebrate life, spring, and all the freedom we enjoy out here in lovely Colorado.

Image Credits in order: 1) www.heaveyplanet.com 2) funnyjunk.com 3) medicaldaily.com

Morgan Mcgovern