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DENVER — With the National Smoke-In Day happening on April 20—which happens to be Monday this year—Denver Parks tried to play three event organizers against each other, by requiring them to pay $1,200 for a one-day permit to use Civic Center Park for the annual cannabis get together.

“We have rented the park for our political and festival event since 2008, but this year with the freeze on new events in parks, they were asking us to pay extra for the Monday 4/20 day,” said Miguel Lopez. “We refuse to be horns waggled by the city into paying extra for the Monday happening.”

The Denver 4/20 Rally got a permit for Lincoln/Veteran’s Park, which sits between Broadway and Lincoln. They plan to set up their educational forum there, and when the clock strikes 4:20 p.m. they say, “Let the smoking begin!”

“We think the city is hypercritical asking us to be a festival rather than a political rally, which is why they want to charge us so much for the one day use on Monday,” said Lopez.

In addition to the Denver Rally, the High Times Cannabis Cup is also this weekend through Monday at the Merchandise Mart. This is the Super Bowl of marijuana festivals which is expected to draw 40,000 cannabis lovers.

Most retail and medical stores will be busier than ever this weekend.

Best advice is to remember smoking in public could net you a summons or ticket, and if you use don’t drive as CDOT and local law enforcement will be looking for drivers under the influence.

4/20 weekend events

April 18: High Times Cannabis Cup presents Soja, Nas at Red Rocks Amphitheater, $5-75

April 18-19: Denver 4/20 Rally with Rick Ross, Mimosa at Civic Center, free

April 19-20: 4/20 in the Streets with Method Man, Redman, Cyprus Hill at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, $35-150

April 20: Doug Benson of “Super High Me” at Comedy Works, sold out

April 20: Snoop Dogg’s Wellness Retreat with A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater, $38-70