It might be the time of day a handful of high schoolers in California got together to smoke marijuana, or it could be the police code for marijuana smoking in progress. It might even be the Fahrenheit temperature at which marijuana burns. No matter what your theory - proven, disproven or otherwise - as to the day's origin, today is the pot-smokers' holiday: 4/20.
Many will celebrate the day with various illegal activities. Others will spend the day complaining about those who do so.
Either way, it could turn out to be a very unproductive day - but it doesn't have to be.
For those who support the legalization of marijuana - and all Daily News staff members are not necessarily among them - the celebration of 4/20 might consist of smoking and little else. Still, for those who feel strongly about the issue, that would be a waste of the perfect time to make a difference. Writing members of Congress to encourage reform of marijuana laws or putting out petitions to raise support for the cause would be a much better way to celebrate the day. Even spreading information in support of the issue would be more productive than simply spending the day smoking.
For those who disagree with 4/20 and pot smoking in general - and all Daily News staff members are not necessarily among them, either - today would be the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the harmful effects of marijuana or to start a petition against marijuana reform laws. An anti-marijuana speech, demonstration or distribution of information would likely gain more support from others who agree today than it would on other days - thereby increasing the visibility of the cause.
The point is, more people will probably light up today than any other day during the year, and no matter what you believe, that opens an opportunity for action - rather than apathy.
Whether you're for or against the smoking of marijuana, you can use 4/20 to raise awareness for your side of the issue, making the Ball State community and even state legislators hear your voice.
You have the chance to turn this "national holiday" from a day of lighting up into a day of activism.
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