The L.A. 420 Games Will Prove That Mixing Weed With Sport Does Work

No one can be accused of being an April Fool if told that smoking weed and participating in sports events go hand-in-hand.

Because that’s exactly what organizers will be out to prove at this year’s 420 Games in Los Angeles when thousands of competitors and spectators are expected to descend on the Santa Monica Pier over the March 31 to April 1 (April Fool’s Day) weekend.

The brainchild of founder, Jim McAlpine, the 420 Games sets out to alter perceptions that healthy lifestyles and smoking dope do not mix.

McAlpine says there are “countless athletes and successful Americans” who use marijuana responsibly on a daily basis, integrating the “innumerable benefits of this curative plant” into their health regimen programs.

And his statement holds true when glancing through the 420 Games LA program with names like NFL player Reggie Williams and Hall of Famer, Frank Shamrock, as guest participants. Apart from professional athletes, the 420 Games also feature various lifestyle activities and extreme sports competitors.

Apart from the thousands of participants and spectators expected to support the event, the 420 Games features a 4.2-mile fun run/walk on both days, starting with registration at 9 am and a shotgun send-off at 10 am. The 4.2 mile course takes in the scenic route starting at Santa Monica Pier along Ocean Front Walk to Venice beach and back. Participants can run, walk, jog, skate or even ride the route.

More than 100 exhibitors

A big draw-card will be the exhibition area where more than 100 cannabis companies will be displaying their wares.

One of the exhibitors is the California-based company, Pot Valet, which is making significant inroads into the marijuana distribution network throughout the state. According to the CEO, Zachary Brown, who was extended a personal invitation to exhibit by 420 Games founder, Jim McAlpine, this event will provide Pot Valet with the perfect platform to attract a chunk of new customers to its impressive list of more than 10,000 Californian “weedsters”. Pot Valet is one of only a few distribution companies in California and offers doorstep pot delivery within 45 minutes of ordering.

Other highlights of the LA program include:

• Wrestlers Frank Shamrock and Bas Rutten will display their brute strength and their ongoing battle for supremacy in an Arm Wrestling Contest which is sure to draw large crowds.
• 420 Yoga Lead by former NFL player, Ricky Williams – the American football running back, who has been arrested on many occasions for possession of weed, played 12 seasons for the NFL and is now in a gym partnership deal with the 420 Games founder, that will combine physical exercise with weed.
• Warm up 15-minute yoga sessions will be hosted by Yogi Katie Martin on both the Saturday and Sunday before the start of the 4.2-mile fun run/walk events, as well as cool down sessions afterwards.
• A $20,000 cash purse has been put up for the Venice Skate Contest featuring professional skateboarder, Bucky Lasek, and is sure to be a huge crowd magnet. This will take place at the Venice Skate Bowl on Sunday.
• Also taking place after the run will be podium speeches by former NFL athletes Eben Britton of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, and Reggie Williams from the Cincinnati Bengals. The athletes will share why they believe marijuana plays an important role in sports. This event should attract a lot of interest.
• Another crowd-thriller will be the BMX action shows that will be staged at the 420 Games Village between 10 am and 2 pm.
• A Rap Battle with Harry Mack who is labeled as “the world’s greatest freestyler”.

Apart from exhibits by more than 100 cannabis companies, other attractions at the 420 Games will include a 3 on 3 basketball tournament featuring NBA players; a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, live comedy events, a beer garden, food trucks, and a not-to-be-missed after party.

Ironically, while the 420 Games showcases why mixing weed with a sport is beneficial, visitors and participants are being requested not to smoke pot on the site. All the action will take place at the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Skate Bowl and The Pier North Lot 1.