4/20 in the age of coronavirus, explained
In normal times, April 20 would be 4/20, the unofficial holiday for celebrating marijuana. People would be preparing to rally near state capitols, in concerts, and at huge fairs to fill the air with thick, pungent smoke.
But April 20 this year, on Monday, doesn't come during normal times. With a coronavirus pandemic still going, much of the United States and the rest of the world are staying at home as much as possible to avoid the spread of Covid-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That means the large crowds and rallies that have previously taken place in Denver, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and many other places around the world are not going to happen.
Yet 4/20 will go on. Before the big day, I got emails from marijuana companies asking, for example, if I was "throwing a virtual 4/20 smoke sesh." (No, I'm not.) One such company advertised "awesome marijuana-inspired Zoom backgrounds so you can tune in and drop out, immersing yourself fully in the 4/20 experience" — in reference to the backgrounds that can be made for the video conferencing service, Zoom, used by workplaces globally and, apparently, marijuana users throwing virtual 4/20 parties.
Coronavirus sends 420 gatherings up in smoke, but potheads still plan virtual toke
In mid-March, as cities across the country began to impose stay-at-home orders, cannabis dispensaries saw a sharp spike in business. Figures from the nationwide cannabis data intelligence firm Headset showed that legal marijuana sales in California skyrocketed 159% on March 16 compared with the same day in 2019. In Washington state, sales jumped 33% on March 15 compared with a week earlier, with purchases of more than $50 increasing from 16% to 21%.
Sales leveled off before they spiked again nearly 50% last week as American taxpayers began receiving financial stimulus checks of up to $1,200 from the federal government, according to Jane Technologies, an eCommerce platform for more than 1,300 cannabis retailers across the nation.
Some members of the legal cannabis industry have joined forces to give back to their communities on 420. In Colorado, Friends in Weed, a consortium of cannabis businesses, has issued a challenge dubbed 420Help that began over the weekend to raise money for Gov. Jared Polis' COVID Relief Fund, which is providing financial assistance to Coloradans impacted by the coronavirus.
The organizers of the event are challenging cannabis businesses and coalitions to donate at least $420 or 4.2% of sales to Polis' funds and for consumers to give $4.20 to the fund. Organizers are also encouraging people to support their favorite dispensary's "budtenders" by providing them gift cards to local restaurants and small businesses.
Virginia Governor Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
The governor of Virginia announced on Sunday that he approved a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state.
The legislation, which would make possessing up to one ounce of cannabis punishable by a $25 fine with no threat of jail time and no criminal record, was passed by the legislature and transmitted to the governor's desk in March.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Hartree on Tuesday April 21 2020, @12:05AM (2 children)
Drugs are for those who can't handle difficult mathematics.
(Those who can handle difficult mathematics will note that statement doesn't say they aren't for those who can.)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:33AM (1 child)
Kim Ji Jong > Kim bong-un
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @07:25AM
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-politics/south-korea-says-north-korean-leader-kim-not-gravely-ill-idUSKBN223011 [reuters.com]
(Score: 5, Insightful) by edIII on Tuesday April 21 2020, @12:14AM (9 children)
The difference between this fine and a tax is specious at best. Normally fines would be set to be punitive, and at least a deterrent. $25 is less than the tax on an ounce of weed in California. This almost seems childish. A way to enjoy the financial benefits associated with free and legal marijuana, while not admitting its legality at all, or that the drug war has failed. It has to be a bad thing in order for it be be fined as contraband, yet there is no punishment beyond the financial one. No employers finding out about an arrest, no criminal record haunting you, no consequences beyond $25. Possibly losing your property if they say they can confiscate it at the same time.
It could still be challenged in the courts.
They should just take a deep breath, and fully legalize and tax it.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 4, Informative) by takyon on Tuesday April 21 2020, @12:24AM
Still stuck with that 70s style legislation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_cannabis_laws_in_the_United_States#State [wikipedia.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by shortscreen on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:18AM (2 children)
What? You want to take away a cop's excuse to hassle somebody?
/sarc
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:22AM (1 child)
Does the cop keep the "decriminalized" weed, or just the $25?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:01PM
It's worth billions and billions and billions [youtube.com]
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Tuesday April 21 2020, @06:59AM
Duuude, that's a cheap shot what with all these covids at the moment.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:17PM (2 children)
If you don't like the $25 tax on marijuana, then I have only one single word: Prescription narcotic pain killer drugs.
Mmmmmm.
$5 for a bottle of 30 with convenient drive through service.
In 2017 while visiting Colorado I tried cannabis in chocolates. It didn't help that much for pain, and cost something like $40 for a box with eight doses. Rather expensive for something that doesn't work that well compared to hydrocodone. Also smoking it didn't seem to help.
(and it makes you cough. and people complain about smell of burning chocolate)
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday April 21 2020, @10:07PM (1 child)
I have zero problem with taxes, as long as they're reasonable. I think California's is a bit high, and doesn't have enough exceptions for medical use.
I've never had hydrocodone, but it sounds like you didn't get really good edibles.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday April 22 2020, @02:02PM
Hydrocodone is like a nuclear weapon for pain. When lesser medications aren't enough. But only use it when you really seriously need it. A doctor has to really have a diagnosis that is a solid reason why you might need it. (being a Java programmer?)
I also have no problem with taxes -- as long as they are reasonable. I like having well maintained roads, bridges, street lights, traffic signals, parks, public libraries, and even some art works. I like having well trained police.
I might try some other edibles next time I visit. The week long large family gathering (wife's side) was to be this summer in CO, but now may be postponed a year. I'm sure it will be postponed, but people are still hanging onto hope, not cancelling reservations yet. Because it is such a fun week. I am skeptical that cannabis, edible or not, can compare to a narcotic pain killer for its intended purpose.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @05:10PM
I'm not a pot-smoker, how much is 1 ounce? I will accept any progress we can get, but my guess is that an ounce is a pretty small amount so this doesn't help a lot of people. What if you're a marijuana user that prefers to buy once a month? You're in just as much danger as before.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @12:53AM (2 children)
I will smoke oregano. Even crushed cockroach.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @01:00AM
Curbside pickup?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 21 2020, @02:23PM
Maui Waui with some Labrador in it.