'420 Games' Aims To Show Marijuana Smokers In A Positive Light As Athletes, Responsible People
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- An event organized to show that people who smoke marijuana are athletic and responsible members of society - not just stoners and slackers - is being held this weekend in San Francisco.
The event - the first in a series of what organizers call the 420 Games – is a 5k Run/Walk starting and ending at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park.
The 420 Games hopes to follow up the event with a road and mountain bicycle races in Marin County and Walnut Creek, other run/walks in San Jose and Santa Rosa, and a 'Marijuana Olympics Challenge' in Sacramento.
The entrepreneur behind the project, Jim McAlpine, says on the 420 Games website the events are not 'smoke ins' and urges participants: "If you choose to use marijuana before, during or after our events, please make sure to do so discretely, legally and respectfully."
McAlpine's is establishing a non-profit known as the PRIME Foundation (Progressive, Responsible Individuals for Marijuana Education) "dedicated to the destigmatization of the people who responsibly use marijuana," according to the website.
The 420 Games and PRIME's goal is to eradicate the false stereotypes that hinder millions of successful and motivates people and to propagate the choice and ability to responsibly use THC as a supplement without judgement.
According to the website, the 420 Games does not advocate that everyone should use marijuana and does not endorse the illegal or irresponsible use of marijuana, saying the organizers are "focused on teaching those who choose to do so how to be responsible. We are equally focused on education and prevention for those who should not use marijuana, most importantly minors."
Berkeley doctor Frank Lucido told the San Francisco Bay Guardian that athletes and marijuana can be a good fit. "Some athletes might benefit from using cannabis after sports for the acute pain and inflammation from that recent activity or trauma," Lucido told the Guardian. "Depending on the sport, a player may use cannabis before to ease chronic pain or muscle spasm, so they can function better."
Saturday's event costs $60 and includes breakfast, race entry, Lagunitas beer, a concert by Led Zeppelin cover band Zepparella, and a commemorative shirt.
More information can be found at www.420games.org