Hundreds of pot smokers invade Hyde Park for ‘420’ day to promote legalisation of marijuana
HUNDREDS of pot smokers flocked to Hyde Park this afternoon for 420 day to promote the legalisation of marijuana.
April 20, also known as '420' day is an unofficial celebration dedicated to cannabis that is marked in various locations around the world every year.
On the day, revellers gather to smoke or consume marijuana together, with some using the occasion to push for the legalisation of the drug.
After midday today, hundreds of cannabis smokers descended on Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park to celebrate the day while also lobbying for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana in the UK.
The attendees turned up to "peacefully" protest and call on the Government to legalise the Class B drug.
Under current law, the Home Office states that: “It remains illegal for UK residents to possess cannabis in any form.”
Growing, possessing or distributing the Class B drug is against the law, but some councils in the UK don’t pursue those who use cannabis for “personal use”.
The maximum punishment for cannabis possession is five years in prison and an unlimited fine, while cases of dealing or trafficking drugs can lead to convictions of up to 14 years in prison.
In relation the gathering protest today, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "We are aware of a planned event due to be held in Hyde Park on Friday."
They added: "A proportionate policing plan will be in place. Our approach to enforcing drug legislation will be no different to any other day of the week."
Urban legend suggested that 420 was formerly the penal code that Californian police used to categorise marijuana cases.
However, this theory has been discredited as the digits are linked to trespassing offences.
Many believe that 420 culture first stemmed from the San Rafael High School in California.
In 1971, Five students allegedly hatched a plan to meet at 4:20pm, where they embarked on a mission to find a plot of cannabis plants that were growing nearby.
Even though their mission was unsuccessful, rumour has it that 420 continued to be used as a secret code for marijuana.
Today, it remains a term used to describe the consumption of weed, especially at around 4:20pm in the afternoon.
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