Thousands Celebrate 4/20 with Marijuana Smoke-Out

Tens of thousands of pot smokers descended on San Francisco’s “Hippie Hill” on Wednesday to celebrate the unofficial April 20 (4/20) marijuana-themed holiday.

According to the Associated Press, the city of San Francisco had anticipated roughly 15,000 revelers to light up in public in the popular corner of Golden Gate Park to celebrate all things marijuana, and to call for the drug’s legalization for recreational purposes.

This year’s celebration could be the final one before marijuana is legalized in California for recreational use. A number of measures that would legalize the drug are currently collecting signatures for inclusion on the 2016 state ballot, though none so far has qualified for placement.

Those joining in the festivities posted pictures and anecdotes throughout the day on social media:

#hippiehill #420 #sf #sanfrancisco happy 420 #dontjudge pic.twitter.com/ozVL2qTB2g

— razor_raider (@razor_raider) April 20, 2016

420 in #SanFrancisco, basically the entire city is a hotbox

— Jenna (@tweetingblonde) April 20, 2016

Covering #420 celebration at #GoldenGatePark in #SanFrancisco #HippieHill #marijuana @CBSSF pic.twitter.com/PLf6AVwahy

— Anne Makovec (@AnneKPIX) April 20, 2016

Still, not everyone was happy with the fun and games (and smell) of the day.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President London Breed told the AP that the annual event costs the city between $80,000 to $100,000 each year, due to the hiring of public safety officials and trash collectors. Breed said that city cleanup crews had collected more than 5 tons of trash during previous events.

 

Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum