REGGAE SUPERSTAR PATO BANTON TO HEADLINE AT 420 VILLAGE AFTER PARTY

THIS SATURDAY! THE 420 GAMES INVADE LOS ANGELES CANNABIS ACTIVISM AND FITNESS CONVERGE AT THE SANTA MONICA PIER

RUN WITH NFL RETIREE RICKY WILLIAMS, UFC FIGHTER KYLE KINGSBURY & NFL PRO-BOWLER KYLE TURLEY REGGAE SUPERSTAR PATO BANTON TO HEADLINE AT 420 GAMES AFTER PARTY

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 420 Games has created a new demographic and category in sports. Created to de-stigmatize cannabis and the people who use it, The 420 Games brings a message of fitness, wellness and health. On Saturday March 26th, this new paradigm of athletics and medical cannabis use will be celebrated by over 1,000 participants at The Santa Monica Pier. Having kept their cannabis use a secret for fear of judgement or persecution, athletes are now stepping out, inspired by this newly found 'CannaAthletics' movement. Activists will walk, run, bicycle or skateboard to "Go the Extra Mile for Cannabis" in this 4.20 mile race; wheelchairs are welcome! Out in the water stand-up paddle boarders will follow course along the beach.

"I stepped out and created this new genre of athletics and cannabis use in order to inspire the rest of the world to step out with me. The 420 Games is humbled and honored to be credited with the creation of 'CannaAthletics'. The 420 Games were created to emphasize that highly functional people, even professional athletes, use cannabis and are hardly the lazy stoners the world has portrayed. Fostering a new, positive mindset about those who use cannabis is going to be absolutely critical for the legalization of marijuana." - Jim McAlpine, Creator & Producer & Founder of SnowBomb, a source for ski & snowboard lifestyle and culture.

Special guest speakers will include LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) member and retired Redondo Beach Police Officer Diane Goldstein, national cannabis thought leader and author of 'The Cannabis Manifesto', Steve DeAngelo, as well as Tracy Ryan, CEO of CannaKids.org and SavingSophie.org. Look for special appearances by UFC Fighter Kyle Kingsbury, NFL Pro-Bowler Kyle Turley and former NFL players from the Gridiron Coalition who will have their own team of former NFL players in attendance, including Eddie Lee "Boo" Williams who played for the New Orleans Saints. JUST ANNOUNCED: Ricky Wiliiams, retired NFL player will attend, hear what he has to say about cannabis.

EazeMD will be on site offering attendees the opportunity to obtain a medical cannabis evaluation and recommendation. Paradoxically, there will be NO SMOKING allowed at the pier portion of the day's festivities. 420 Games advocates responsible adult use, McAlpine adds, "We are forging new outlooks and a new respect for both cannabis and the people who use it… a cloud of smoke over our heads at the pier - both literally and figuratively - is not the message we want to send out to the world." In contrast to the events in the sun at the pier, the concert and after party at V Lounge following the race will offer space to sample medical cannabis for those who have their medical recommendation. Shuttles will be provided from the race to the lounge. Join 'The 420 Games Village' after party for yoga, magic, comedy, education, networking and LIVE music from reggae legend Pato Banton.

Over the past two years, hundreds have participated in successful 420 Games athletic events at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The 420 Games' Los Angeles debut is the first leg of a four-state, six-city tour. Upcoming event series will feature marathons, mountain bike races, stand-up paddleboard competitions and more. Future locales include San Francisco, Boulder, Denver, Portland and Seattle.

McAlpine states, "Our attendance has doubled from the first event to the second, we expect thousands of people to come run or walk for cannabis respect on March 26th in LA. There is a passion and vibe of camaraderie at these events that is very inspiring to see."
The 420 Games are presented by WeedMaps and sponsored by O.penVAPE, SnowBomb.com, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Dixie Elixirs, and Eaze. Look for exhibitors from dozens of the top cannabis brands in California!
 
What: The 420 Games
When: Saturday March 26, 2016, 9AM – 3PM
Where: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Highlights of the games & celebrities in attendance:
• Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) celebrity Kyle "Kingsbu" Kingsbury will be in attendance and running the race. Event promoters are challenging runners to "beat Kyle outside the ring". Anyone who that crosses the finish line before Kyle will gain free entry into 420 Games events for one year.
• Steve DeAngelo, a nationally recognized pioneer in the cannabis reform movement and Executive Director of the nation's model cannabis dispensary, Harborside Health Center, will give the keynote address.
• Tiffany Turner, granddaughter of Ike Turner, is an activist for helping families coping with autism using diet and herbal remedies, and member of Women Abuv Ground. Reality star Princess Inge Hazebrook who is a managing member of Women Abuv Ground -the networking and support group for Cannabis advocacy that empowers cannapreneurs and visionaries in reaching their goals and dreams in the cannabis business.
• Val Young, who wrote and sang 'To live and Die in LA' with Tupac and is a current member of The Mary Jane Girls (Rick James protege). Coral Jeanne Smith from MTV's Real World. Steven Russell and Rodney Beneford from the group Troop.
• United for Bernie - The grassroots organization campaigning for Bernie Sanders will have a booth at the event.
• Weedmaps presents a skateboard demonstration, complete with a mini half-pipe, quarter-pipes, butter bench and more. Ramps provided by OC Skates.
• Post-race, all competitors will be treated to two hours of beer tasting from event sponsor Lagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma, CA.
• A two-hour concert of positive vibes from international Reggae superstar Pato Banton!
• Former NFL Pro Bowler Kyle Turley and The Kyle Turley Band will open for Pato Banton.

UPCOMING 2016 EVENTS:
California Tour:
March 26th, 2016
Los Angeles | Santa Monica Pier

August 27th, 2016
San Francisco | Golden Gate Park

Colorado Tour:
October 1st, 2016
Boulder | Boulder Reservoir

September 17, 2016
Denver | Location TBD

Washington Tour:
July 31st, 2016
Seattle | Magnuson Park

Oregon Tour:
October 29, 2016
Portland | Sellwood Riverfront Park

About The 420 Games Philosophy:
The 420 Games does not advocate that everyone should use cannabis. We are focused on teaching those who choose to do so how to be healthy and responsible. We are also focused on education and prevention for those who should not use cannabis - most importantly, minors. We do not endorse the illegal or irresponsible use of cannabis. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 420Games.org
 
Gaynell Rogers
gaynell@bloomcannabisgroup.com
415.298.1114
Jim McAlpine
jim@420Games.org
530-906-1263

A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=39560

CONTACT: Gaynell Rogers         
         gaynell@bloomcannabisgroup.com        
         415.298.1114
         
         Jim McAlpine         
         jim@420Games.org         
         530-906-1263