The conservative Centennial Institute blasted out the email equivalent of a high-five following news over the weekend that the organizer of the annual 4/20 rally in downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park will be denied an event permit for the next three years. The Colorado Christian University-affiliated thank tank and advocacy group’s director, Jeff Hunt, not only welcomed the development but also took some of the credit for it after having launched a petition drive to stop the free-wheeling pot fest:

VICTORY!

We just received breaking news that Denver Parks and Recreation and the City and County of Denver have banned the 4/20 rally for the next three years and are fining the organizers over $12,000.

City leaders agreed with us, the 4/20 rally was out of control.

Marijuana was smoked openly and publicly, flagrantly violating both state and federal law, all while in the presence of children and infants. Civic Center Park, a national historic landmark, was left covered in trash, costing taxpayer money to help clean up. Furthermore, organizers did not provide adequate security for attendees, event staff, or the citizens of Denver. …

Centennial, which is no fan of recreational pot use and bills itself as, “Advancing Faith, Family and Freedom,” had gathered more than 4,000 signatures. Hunt turned those in to Denver City Hall last week, which he notes in his email, adding:

The Mayor and the City of Denver listened and terminated future 4/20 rallies for the next three years. We thank Mayor Hancock and Denver Parks and Recreation leadership for protecting the interests of Denver citizens.