The College Fix

Colorado voters may have recently approved the recreational use of marijuana, but CU Boulder leaders still snuffed out the college’s notorious 4/20 pro-pot rally, in which thousands of marijuana enthusiast traditionally descend on the campus to hotbox its quad.

On Saturday, a strong police presence and plenty of advance warnings kept pot lovers away from the university’s large quad, effectively shutting down the annual party that in 2011 helped get CU Boulder named Playboy magazine’s top party school in the nation.

Reefer-smoking students and other marijuana aficionados instead traveled to Denver, where the city’s Civic Center hosted thousands of pot smokers whose party was cut short after two adults were shot in the leg, according to police.

As for CU Boulder, Saturday marked the second consecutive year campus officials have been able to stop the smoke out by requiring visitors to show a campus ID and threatening trespassing citations with possible jail time, among other measures.

In interviews with The College Fix, students voiced mixed reactions to administrators’ actions.

“I heard that it was ridiculous trying to get into campus,” junior Dianne Callaghan, 20, said of the security measures. “I think all parts of 4/20 are unnecessary.”

Senior Julian Adorney, 22, said he supported the campus smoke out, that administrators should have let it take place.

“I am supportive of students’ actions,” Adorney said. “Allow the community to come together to celebrate this iconic event.”

Adorney added the university should not have to worry about its image, and that the preventive actions actually hurt their public image more.

“CU is an iconic research institution and an exceptionally prestigious public school,” Adorney said. “I don’t think one protest, one day of the year changes that.”

But in a statement from campus officials, they noted voters’ decision to legalize marijuana in the state did not legalize smoking the herb on the CU Boulder campus.

“Amendment 64 doesn’t legalize pot smoking in public or possession of marijuana by those under 21,” campus officials stated. “Marijuana is still prohibited by campus policy.”

An email to students from the chancellor also noted federal law considers marijuana use illegal.

Some students, such as senior Lilly Rapson, said they supported administrators’ decision to crack down.

“I respect the university’s decision for not wanting the 4/20 celebration on campus,” said Rapson, 21. “It hurts CU’s reputation, as many people only acknowledge it as a party school for this reason.”

For their part, student government members said they are not thrilled with the security measures, but “we hope that in future years we can keep the campus open, minimize the police presence, remove the need for ID checks, and open a dialogue about drug policies and related topics within our community.”

University officials even set up an email to address inquires and concerns: [email protected]. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to work on implementing new laws to regulate the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado.

Fix contributor Aslinn Scott is a student at CU Boulder.

IMAGE: Cupcake/Flickr

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