4/20 is a big day for marijuana normalization and commercialization across the US.
THE PROBLEM:
- Attendance may be lower than average when 4/20 is a school day as demonstrated in Denver Public Schools
- The normalization of marijuana use continues among middle and high school continues
- Marijuana industry corporate sponsors may allow any age to attend
- Marketing to kids abounds and violates regulations
- Social consumption is illegal and enforcement is typically weak
CALL TO ACTION AND WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Download our full 420 toolkit pdf !
- Educate and inform parents that 4/20 festivals occur and may be open to all ages
- Reach out and collaborate with the organizers (corporate and/or local government) to make 4/20 festivals be 21+
- Restrict marketing and advertising to kids (tickets led to collecting email addresses)
- Collaborate with relative school districts to extend communication to parents, school officials, community leaders and media
THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:
Examples of media, op eds, social media reach, local school partnership and petitions for 4/20/22- Denver
- 355 Signatures on Petition to restrict access to 420 Festival to ages 21 and above
- Denver Gazette op-ed calling out event for welcoming kids
- 9 news mentions and interviews:
- Denver Gazette Article reaching 100,000 people
- Denver Post Article reaching 420,000 people
- 710KNUS radio George Show with George Brauchler
- Westword Article reaching 67,620 people
- FOX31 News Coverage
- CBS4 News Coverage about Youth Advocates
- 630KHOW radio Dan Caplis show interview
- 710KNUS radio George Brauchler interview #2
- Denver Gazette Editorial quoting One Chance
- Over 15,000 people reached on Facebook and Twitter
- Families of 93,000 students reached via partnership with Denver Public Schools in their weekly newsletter
- 1.23k Impressions on advertisements via Google Ads
OUTCOME:
Event organizers agree to make the 4/20 festival in Denver a 21+ event going forward.
