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This Year’s Top 420 Events Across the US

April 15, 2023 Published by

From humble origins, the legacy of 420 has grown into a celebration of global proportions. Marked on April 20 each year, the festivities take many forms, though a love for cannabis and appreciation for the community remains constant. Today, parties marking weed’s unofficial high holy day range from legacy, large-scale smoke sessions to major productions headlined by reggae legends and chart-topping rappers. The day is drawing near, and with more and more states embracing legalization, there are more 420 events happening than ever. With that in mind, here’s a look at ten of the most notable 420 events happening across the nation.

The Marley Brothers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Morrison, CO: April 19-20

The math here is simple: Add some of reggae’s biggest names to one of the most iconic venues in the entire US and it equals an unmissable 420 experience. That’s what’s on tap for Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which will host the Marley Brothers for two unforgettable nights. On April 19, Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, and Ky-Mani Marley will perform with special guests Sean Paul and Protoje. On April 20, the children of Bob Marley return for another show, this one with Steel Pulse, Lee “Scratch” Perry and more. These should be some seriously special nights—the Red Rocks’ specialty.

NY Cannabis Freedom Festival

Brooklyn, NY: April 19-20

Things should be next level at the fifth New York Cannabis Freedom Festival now that adult-use cannabis is legal in the Empire State. Featuring music, guest speakers and vendor exhibits, the NYCFF is packed with panels, events and a performance by headliner Raven International, all backdropped by the exciting prospect of seeing where legal cannabis in New York goes next.

Mile High 420

Denver, CO: April 20

Want to experience 420 in its full glory? Head to Denver for Mile High 420, which bills itself as the world’s largest free celebration devoted to smoking cannabis. Set in Civic Center Park, this year’s installment remains free but does require advanced registration, which seems well worth it given the event is set to be hosted by stoner legend Tommy Chong and feature performances from Rick Ross, Fivio Foreign  and Waka Flocka Flame, among others.

420 Hippie Hill

San Francisco, CA: April 20

Golden Gate Park’s Robin Williams Meadow is home to California’s biggest free cannabis event, where crowds flock to Hippie Hill to ring in the arrival of 4:20 pm. This year’s edition is set to feature a performance by Erykah Badu as well as plenty of top-notch people watching. And, if the city of San Francisco opts to approve pending permits, 2023 will also see the return of legal sales and consumption to the event for a second year. But regardless of that outcome, the place will undoubtedly be packed with the smell of good flower this 420.

Glass House Fest

Los Angeles, CA: April 20

Want to get in on a secret? Keep close tabs on this page from top California cultivator Glass House Farms, where specifics on their plans for April 20 will soon be revealed. Past activations and surprise pop-up events from the brand have featured the likes of Flying Lotus, Duckwrth, Guapdad 4000, Tiffany Haddish and Eric Andre, so there’s good reason to believe they have something equally amazing cooked up for this year’s installment.

National Cannabis Festival

Washington, DC: April 22

Not every 420 event happens on the exact date, making the party last even longer. One great example is Washington, DC’s National Cannabis Festival. Taking over the RFK Festival Grounds on April 22, this multi-faceted event includes a concert headlined by rapper 2 Chainz in addition to educational programming, an exhibitor fair and an aptly named “Munchies Zone.” There’s even the prospect of a catching a weed-themed wedding or two while you’re there.

The Grass is Greener Gathering

Hadley, MA: April 21-22

Invading Hadley, Massachusetts from April 21-22, the Grass is Greener Gathering doubles as a celebration of 420 and Earth Day (April 22) with a stacked music lineup headlined by Action Bronson on Friday and Fugees’ founder Wyclef Jean on Saturday. Featuring three music stages, 75+ vendors, pro wrestling exhibitions and hot air balloon rides, GGG is an annual East Coast stoner’s paradise that also makes a point of using their proceeds from ticket sales to support worthy causes.

Pocono 420/Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival

Where: Longpond, PA: April 22-23

The Scranton-based festival is one of the largest on the East Coast. For its ninth installment, the PA Cannabis Festival is hitting the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, where it will host two stages and 300+ vendors for a wild weekend of weed-themed fun. Presented by CuraLeaf, the 2023 edition will feature performances from Bong Hits for Jesus, Space Kamp, and Kottonmouth Kings. This year also introduces the option to camp on-site for those seeking a more immersive, scenic excursion.

420 Golf Tournament

Suquamish, WA: April 22

Agate Dreams in gorgeous Suquamish, Washington has found a perfect marriage with their annual 420 Golf Tournament. Set to return for its second installment in 2023, the event offers a chance to hit the links with your pot-loving peers for a scramble format completion in pursuit of a cash prize. Naturally, registration costs $420 per four-person team, which includes meals and swag.

Sweetwater 420 Fest

Atlanta, GA: April 22-23

Atlanta’s Sweetwater 420 Fest takes place at Sweetwater Brewery. There’s an old-school rave vibe to this brewer’s warehouse that doubles as a venue for the annual occasion. Beyond having a blast with good bud and brews, you can also enjoy a lineup of musical talent topped by Shakey Graves, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Ghostland Observatory. It’s a testament to this fest’s appeal that they can snag such a dazzling mix of acclaimed artists to come through.

The post This Year’s Top 420 Events Across the US appeared first on Cannabis Now.

April 20 Becomes a Paid Holiday for Employees at a Massachusetts Cannabis Company

March 20, 2023 Published by

According to Temescal Wellness Director of Retail and Customer Engagement, Sian Leininger, this honors both cannabis culture as well as employees. “4/20 is a day to show appreciation, love and respect for cannabis and its power to help amplify the health and happiness that people experience in their daily lives,” Leininger said in a press statement. “For us, it’s a day to celebrate our employees, whose passion, knowledge and true dedication inspires their unparalleled service to our customers and our community all of the other days of the year.”

The paid holiday extends to retail employees, as well as production facilities and corporate offices as well. Leininger added that closing up shop on one of the biggest days of the year isn’t as important as the wellbeing of their employees. “One of our core company values is wellness—and that means the wellness of our customers, our community, and our entire team,” said Leininger. “While 4/20 is one of our most profitable days, we hope making it a paid holiday off for our team elevates it as a day for everyone to celebrate cannabis and the community around it.”

To supplement the April 20 holiday closure, Temescal Wellness is offering various price offers and “its most comprehensive menu to date” throughout the month of April.

According to a 2022 sales report from Akerna, cannabis sales were high during the entire week and weekend leading up to the unofficial holiday. Last year 4/20 landed on a Wednesday, and while that day did see the highest amount of money collected from sales between April 15-20, sales from Friday, April 15, 2022 were a close second. The data company also recorded that sales overall in 2022 were less than that of 2021.

This year, 420 is gearing up to be another massive celebration of the plant. Many events are returning, some for the first time since the pandemic hit. 4/20 at Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco will not only be returning in full swing, but it’s also live streaming the event for those who can’t attend in person (for a fee). The Mile High 420 Festival returns to Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado on April 20 as well. The National Cannabis Festival will be held at the RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, D.C. on April 22. Even Willie Nelson, who’s turning 90 this year on April 29, is holding a one-of-a-kind concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California that features not just him, but a massive cast of musicians.

April 20 has gone from underground, “unofficial” holiday to actual holiday over the past few years, as medical and recreational legalization has spread throughout the country. Like many other holidays, such as Saint Patrick’s Day or Christmas, the origin of 420 has become a legend. There are many variations of its origin and who was involved, but most believe that students of San Rafael High School in San Rafael, California (referred to as the 420 Waldos) coined the term to secretly communicate a meet-up time to smoke cannabis at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur. 

High Times Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ellen Holland went to check out the statue last year, but the statue was in storage until campus construction was completed. Her 420 pilgrimage of sorts led her to a few 4/20 parties as she detailed her journey in her article “Finding 420.”

Do you think that April 20 should be a paid holiday for everyone who works in the cannabis industry? How would you choose to celebrate if you got the day off? Let us know in the comments!

The post April 20 Becomes a Paid Holiday for Employees at a Massachusetts Cannabis Company appeared first on High Times.

4/20 Events Planned Coast to Coast

April 15, 2022 Published by

With the highest of weed holidays upon us once again, it’s time to get serious about plans to celebrate the occasion. As legalization continues to spread across the country, more and more cannabis consumers are coming out of the shadows on 4/20 every year, and the events keep getting bigger and better. To get an idea of what’s out there, Cannabis Now has compiled a rundown of some of the events coming to larger metropolitan areas in the US.

Hippie Hill: San Francisco

PHOTO Gracie Malley

The 4/20 holiday traces its roots to the San Francisco Bay Area, so you can bet the folks in NorCal do the day right. The biggest celebration can be found in SF itself at Hippie Hill in world-famous Golden Gate Park. The party returns in 2022 after two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it’s a sure bet people are ready to get loose. For the first time, this year’s 4/20 celebration on Hippie Hill will feature legal cannabis sales from licensed retailers. Headlining this year’s entertainment is local legend Berner, with scheduled appearances from Mike Tyson and comedian Jeff Ross. 

A free event for adults 21 and older, at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park, Wednesday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info available on Instagram.

Coachella Music and Arts Festival: Indio, CA

PHOTO Arthur Edelmans

Although weed is technically not allowed at Coachella’s massive annual party in the desert, you can bet revelers will find a way to get their buzz on for the festivities. Plus, this year’s two-weekend event straddles the 4/20 holiday, starting today with top name acts including Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Swedish House Mafia x The Weekend headlining the main stage. Other notables on the bill include Megan Thee Stallion, Run the Jewels, Phoebe Bridgers, Lil Baby, Doja Cat and Arcade Fire. The same lineup returns the following weekend. 

At the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA Friday, April 15 through Saturday, April 17 and Friday, April 22 through Sunday April 24. More info online.

Unity Day: New York City

PHOTO EDM Tunes

Celebrating the first 4/20 in the Big Apple since the legalization of cannabis in New York state last year is going to be lit, with more than a dozen events scheduled during the week-long celebrations. Topping the list is the Unity Day party produced by Cannademix. The night out will feature performances by Inspectah Deck and Cappadonna of Wu-Tang Clan, plus Sensi All-Stars, Big Nate All Star, PBS Skinz and Puffington.

At Manhattan’s historic Webster Hall. Wednesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. Info and tickets available online.

National Cannabis Festival: Washington, DC

Although Congress continues to thwart efforts to allow regulated adult-use marijuana sales in the nation’s capital, cannabis enthusiasts in Washington, DC still have plenty to celebrate this 4/20, namely the sixth annual National Cannabis Festival on April 23. Featured experiences include a Culinary Pavilion, Culture Pavilion and Policy Pavilion. Musical performances include headliner Wiz Khalifa, plus Lettuce, Ghostface Killah, Backyard Band, Dupont Brass and more. 

For adults 21 and up at the RFK Festival Grounds, Saturday, April 23 at noon. More information and tickets are available online.

Waldos Forever Fest: Chicago

Billed as the “highest celebration in Chicago,” the Waldos Forever Fest borrows its name from the originators of the group of teens that started the 4/20 phenomenon. Presented by Dispensary 33, the weekend event promises cannabis, culture and community for the North Side neighborhood of Andersonville. With food, live music and drag performances featuring entertainment by Junglepussy, Sudan Archives, Shea Couleè, Jessy Lanza, Glitter Moneyyy, Trqpiteca and more. 

At Clark and Argyle Streets, Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Details available online.

Mile High 420 Festival: Denver

Denver 4/20 events
PHOTO Gracie Malley

As the first state to legalize cannabis for recreational use, Colorado has serious street cred in the 4/20 celebrations department. This year’s party in downtown Denver is expected to draw a crowd of 50,000, with food, vendors and entertainment by Big Boi, Lil Jon and Talib Kweli. 

Wednesday, April 20, doors open at 12 p.m. Info plus free and VIP tickets are available online.

Glass House Fest: Los Angeles

Glass House Brands’ second annual Glass House Fest is slated to bring a celebration of music, comedy, art and culture hosted to the immersive dome experience at Wisdome LA in the downtown arts district. A music stage will be headlined by Reggie Watts, bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden, plus DCKWRTH, Guapdad 4000 and Blackillac. A comedy stage will feature performances by Trevor Wallace and Friends. 

Wednesday, April 20 from 4:20 p.m. until 11 p.m. For adults 21 and up, the first 100 attendees will receive a swag bag. RSVP and more info online.

Daybreak Cannabis Launch Party: St. Louis, MO

Bigger cities with larger cannabis markets naturally have bigger 4/20 events. But bigger isn’t always better. Many 4/20 events are also taking place in smaller markets nationwide, especially in states where adult-use isn’t yet legal. Consider looking up 4/20 happenings in your local community to support local businesses and make new connections. Daybreak Cannabis is an example of one brand using the 4/20 holiday to celebrate the launch of their new customer facing cannabis flower line. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Daybreak Cannabis is throwing a free party featuring two DJs, live painting, glass blowing, yard games, terpene infused foods and cocktails and more. Events like these are happening all over and could be a great option for those who prefer smaller crowds. Wednesday, April 20 at START Bar STL, from 5-10 p.m. More details available online.

Whatever you decide to do, we hope you enjoy the high holiday this year. And if you need guidance on how to get the most out of the occasion, check out this Survival Guide, which includes the top ten essentials for having a good time at all these 4/20 events.

The post 4/20 Events Planned Coast to Coast appeared first on Cannabis Now.