Any time is a good time to consume cannabis, but there is one date that marijuana enthusiasts would say is more appropriate than any: April 20, at exactly 4:20 p.m. It is at this moment annually that joints are lit and pipes passed in various time zones around the world, in celebration of the mind-altering herb that so many have grown to love.
While many eagerly await the marijuana holiday each year, fewer know the details of its beginnings. It all started in 1971, when a group of five friends at San Rafael High School in Marin County, CA, would meet to smoke marijuana—immediately after their extracurricular activities ended every day at 4:20 p.m. They became known as the “Waldos” because they hung out along a wall by the school’s statue of Louis Pastuer, and “420” became their code for marijuana.
It wasn’t until years later when one of the friends, Dave Reddix, became a roadie for the Grateful Dead, that the band helped spread the word, and the term was further popularized by Deadheads.
The best part of celebrating 4/20 is that there are no rules and no pressure. If you are vaccinated and/or feel comfortable meeting in person, you can have a casual get together with friends. While many of the larger annual festivals have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, smaller celebrations are still scheduled around the country.
Below are some examples of 4/20 events and deals in the states served by Canna Care Docs.
The slogan of this Newport, ME smoke shop is “It’s not just a store, it’s a lifestyle,” and the phrase is exemplified by their 4/20 celebration: a party like no other with a lineup of comedians, live music, giveaways and munchies from the local Truckin Good Food, all starting at (yep, you guessed it!) 4:20 p.m.
Event details:
4:20-7 p.m.
Greenbear420, 531 Moosehead Trail, Newport, ME
More info
Need a laugh? Stop by Stellwagen Beer Company for a night of beers and comedy featuring Trevor Dion, Mike Fahey, Alex Medeiros and Al Christakis. 21+ event.
Event details:
7:30 p.m.
Stellwagen Beer Company, 100 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA
$15 – $30
More info
Kids Having Fun (KHF) invites you to join them for a night of art, tie dying, food and drinks, raffles, and their second installment of the 4/20 Olympics, which is exactly what it sounds like—a competition of the fastest, most creative, and best blindfolded blunt rolling.
Event details:
2-7 p.m.
G’s Gallery, 184 Broadway, Saugus, MA
T-shirt tie-dying: $25 | 4/20 Olympics events: $20 each | Various event passes available
More info
In honor of the holiday, Summit Medical Compassion Center is offering unbeatable prices on cannabis “bundles” purchased on April 20. Customers will receive a free giveaway bag with any purchase. The two deals include the following:
Concentrate bundle – $150
Flower bundle – $150
Event details:
Opening hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Summit Medical Compassion Center, 380 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI
Taxes not included
More info
Kyle Marcoux, better known as The Vulgar Chef, and his friends will be visiting The Blind Pig Pizza Co. to present indulgent munchies like Slim Jim Sliders, Greaseball Grinders, Beef Patty Sausages, Ayla’s Choco Tacos, Mac Table 2.0, and drinks by Corinne “The Ice Queen” Ferrante. The offbeat chef is a social media personality known for colorful language and less-than-healthy recipes, which more often than not, are deep-fried or include candy as ingredients.
Event details:
6:30-9:30 p.m.
The Blind Pig Pizza Co., 89 Arch St., Hartford, CT
$55
More info
Grab a lawn chair and have fun at this safe and socially distanced tailgating party. Relax to live entertainment by Harvey Road, Aziza Nailah and others, which will be broadcast over FM radio to enjoy from your vehicle. Hungry? Stop by one of several amazing food vendors, including Chef and Crazy Rick’s Food Truck. 21+ event.
Event details:
4-10 p.m.
FireBase Lloyd, 474 Fleming Landing Rd., Townsend, DE
$10 (cash only)
More info
The Lair’s Happy Hour is a regular event designed for cannabis lovers. Meet like-minded friends interested in cannabis and enjoy delicious food and drinks. 21+ event.
Event details:
4:20-6 p.m.
The Lair 420 Social Club, 323 N 52nd St., 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA
$5-$20
More info
One Art Community Center opens for the season with its annual 4/20 event, a celebration of community, cannabis and the arts. There will be live performances, a vendor village, and food at the With Love Cafe. One Art membership required to attend; one-week membership available for just $3!
Event details:
3-11 p.m.
One Art Community Center, 1431-39 North 52nd St., Philadelphia, PA
$33+ for non-members
More info
Grab some popcorn, kick back and enjoy a movie marathon made for cannabis lovers, with a lineup featuring Half-Baked (1998), How High (2001) and Friday (1995). 18+ event.
Event details:
1-4 p.m.
Pop Up Next Door, 1169 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth, NJ
Tickets: $5 | Popcorn: $3
More info
After Pop Up’s movie marathon, those who are 21+ can stick around for the party. Edibles, cannabis-infused food and 420 drink specials are just a snapshot of what you’ll find at this unforgettable celebration. There will also be a live DJ, giveaways and over 10 vendors.
Event details:
7:30-11 p.m.
Pop Up Next Door, 1169 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth, NJ
Free
More info
Staying in for the holiday? Test your cannabis knowledge at this online event hosted by Explore Maryland Cannabis. Just grab your laptop and join a virtual “party” group for a night of fun games and trivia. You can sign up with your own group of four, or register as an individual and be assigned to a team.
Event details:
8-9:30 p.m.
Online event
$5
More info
Comedians like Woo Woo, Sno Erky, Will Wright and Zack Pickett will have you laughing all night long at this Southwest American Legion event, where you’ll find food trucks, a full bar and even a medical marijuana tent for approved patients. But behind the entertainment itself is an important cause: all revenue from the evening will support a new program called the Maryland Veterans Compassion Care Fund (MVCCF), which will cover the expense of medical cannabis evaluations, reevaluations and/or recommendations for Maryland veterans. The fund will also support the cost of medical cannabis for those who financially qualify for emergency funds.
Event details:
6-9 p.m.
Southwest American Legion Post 332, 2603 Virginia Ave., Halethorpe, MD
$22
More info
Dig out your sketchbook and art supplies for this creative fundraiser, which will benefit the IX Art Park Foundation. Browse local vendors, watch the glass-blowing celebration, enjoy live music and even complimentary CBD prerolls. You won’t want to miss the raffle for a CBD gift basket, plus an auction for a weekend stay at the Albemarle Hemp Co.’s own Hemp House, a cozy bed and breakfast near Crozet.
Event details:
4:20-8 p.m.
IX Art Park, 522 2nd St. Southeast, Charlottesville, VA
$10 advance | $15 day of show
More info
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