From massive smoke-filled festivals to living room dabs with a good friend, there are many fun ways to celebrate 4/20.
While many theories surround the origin of the celebration, it’s thought its humble beginnings date back to the ’70s and a group of teens at San Rafael High School in California – “the Waldos” – who would blaze at 4:20 each day. Since then, the number 4/20 has become the code for smoking cannabis, with weed-lovers around the world celebrating each year on April 20 – in many different ways.
Here are 4 fun ways to celebrate 4/20 this year:
1. Watch your favourite stoner movie
What better way to start off – or wind down – your 4/20 fun than watching one of the many stoner movies made over the years. From Cheech and Chong’s classic Up in Smoke to 1998’s Half Baked with Dave Chapelle, to the Seth Rogen comedy Pineapple Express, these films are all guaranteed to keep you giggling. So roll up a spliff or eat a gummy and sit back and enjoy your favourite.
READ MORE: Hollywood High: 11 weed movies to stream this winter
2. Throw a 4/20 party
Throwing a legendary 4/20 party can be a fun and memorable event, but some key essentials can help make your herb-filled soiree a hit.
Obviously, the most important aspect of a killer 4/20 party is having enough weed for everyone to get their toke on. If you don’t have the means to provide enough bud for everyone, encouraging people to “BYOW” will offer variety, and allow guests to bring their favourite strain to share and show off. If people happen to show up empty-handed, be generous – after all, that’s what the holiday is all about!
It’s also a good idea have a selection of ways to imbibe, including options for those who prefer not to share joints or pipes. Roll joints of different shapes, sizes, colours and flavours. Have a dry pipe ready as well as a bong, and maybe even a one-hitter. If you have a volcano vaporizer, load it up and have it ready to erupt.
As with any party, be sure to have non-intoxicating options on hand for those who aren’t imbibing, and ensure everyone has a safe way home.
If having a few puffs doesn’t make you too antisocial, festivals are among the most well-known way to celebrate the day dedicated to weed.
The 2023, Vancouver 4/20 celebrations promise to be spectacular, with two festivals, one held by World Cannabis on Sunset Beach, and an “official” 4/20 protest at Thornton Park, including a “farmer’s market,” free concerts with internationally recognized performers, activist speakers and the rolling of a 65-pound joint!
Those in Kelowna can join Upside Cidery’s first annual 420 Kelowna Music and Arts Celebration from 3:30 to 10 p.m. April 20. Hosted by Alice in Bassland, Ora Laser Entertainment and Tayzr Events, the party will include a variety of performances such as dancers, DJs, and comedians to keep the laughs going all afternoon.
The Okanagan city keeps the celebrations rolling with the 2023 B.C. Cannabis Summit, April 21 to 23 at Eldorado Resort, where the three-day summit will be packed with vendors, guest speakers, prizes and more.
And for those in central Canada, the Niagara Falls 420 Expo 2023 features more than 30,000 square feet of all things cannabis including vendors and artists, educational seminars and guest speakers, licensed producers and retail stores, an outdoor POTIO and more. Check it out April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
420 is the perfect day to experience the many varieties of cannabis products and expand and explore your weed palate. Why not try some new strains or experiment with new edibles or topicals? You might be pleasantly surprised to find something new (or a fun new way of ingesting it) that suits your body chemistry, and makes you feel just right.
It’s also a great time to get educated on the different ways of incorporating cannabis into your lifestyle and what common terms mean. What are dabs? How effective are topicals? Most cannabis dispensaries have “budtenders” who are happy to guide you through the different products, you just have to ask!
READ MORE: Cannabis curious: Top 3 tips to get your journey off the ground
And no matter how you celebrate, make sure to have fun, be safe and make this 4/20 a day to remember!
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