As cannabis becomes more broadly accepted, so does its unofficial holiday of 4/20. The numeric code for toking up has a few rumored origin stories, such as being the police code for smoking marijuana. It was eventually traced back to a group of 1970s teenage smokers who called themselves “The Waldos”, later popularized by High Times Magazine. It’s since become a widely celebrated day for cannabis smokers everywhere to light up.
This year, April 20th also falls on the second night of Passover, which means there will be an abundance of “bitter herb” jokes from cool uncles at seders everywhere, and some very unorthodox 4/20 events. But no matter what kind of celebration you’re looking for, from spiritual sound baths to extravagant gilded joints, the beautifully diverse world of Los Angeles cannabis has got you covered.
For a Passover celebration that embraces both High Holidays and some comedy, there’s Puff Puff Passover: A 4/20 Seder at The Pack Theater. “An interactive, stoned Seder show for everyone to enjoy! Bring your yarmulke and your favorite unleavened munchies to share to this fun retelling of the Passover story when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.” They are going to do a seder or Haggadah reading, “complete with actors reenacting the Passover story with some help from the audience. There’s even a prize for who finds the afikomen! This show is for everyone, Jews and non-Jews alike, and we support those who wish not to consume cannabis and would like to attend/participate.” The event begins at 11:59pm, so right before the day is done.
If you’re looking for a cannabis experience that’s a little more zen, you can also pay homage to the coinciding pink full moon. Pink Moon Rise, hosted by Local High Society on April 20th, promises to be a highly spiritual night of cannabis activities. “There will be a full moon cannabis circle, yin yoga, and a crystal singing bowls sound bath.” Tickets are $30, or bring a friend for $50, at 7-9pm at Evoke Yoga DTLA.
To get an earlier jump on aligning your chakras for ganja’s big day, there’s It’s 4/20 at The Lift Loft. Doors open at 11am, and there’s “a free dab and flower bar” to get your afternoon started. “Get lit and enjoy a beginner’s yoga class with Lit Yoga and Shoot the Moon Yoga.” The cost is $25 for the class, or $50 for the class and a VIP bag.
Commuting is always a hassle on holidays, so if you want a day of stoned activities without driving, you can stick around The Lift Loft for their evening painting event with Lifted Art. At 6pm they’ll be having a celebration “featuring a paint session with a free lit stick for every attendee.” Also $25 for the class, $50 for the class and a VIP bag.
Grab another chance to flex your artistic and lung muscles at the first annual Puff And Paint night. “Express your artistic side, while doing a little painting and possibly a lot of puffing. Come vibe out while indulging in good food, well drinks, edibles and other THC/CBD choices.” They also boast, “one of the hottest DJs in LA.” There are 6pm or 9pm sessions, which include a blank canvas or blank rolling tray, paint and brushes, one specialty drink and a pre-roll. Everyone must be over 21 with valid ID. The event is at the Luxurious lounge, located at 5076 Pico Blvd.
For art that’s slightly edgier and a hell of a lot more permanent, Sick Dog’s Tattoo and Piercing in Westminster is offering $20 weed-themed flash tattoos (by appointment only). Their 4/20 Smokeout event flyer also promises “Free Prizes, Free Bud and Free Food” and warns (or promises) “No Kids.”
If you’re looking for more of a relaxed intimate dinner in downtown LA, you can check out Champagne Chronic Nights. An intimate event, with live performances, vendors and a live visual artist on hand. VIP Tickets include a swag bag, drink ticket and a “medicated or non-medicated dinner plate of alfredo pasta with chicken, broccoli, zucchini and spinach with garlic bread and a side salad (vegetarian available) by chef Stoned Layla.” General admission is $10 and includes a drink.
For more of a swanky Hollywood vibe with a little more glitz, there’s the I love Trees 1st Annual 4/20 Cannabis Gala. It’s a private event in a residence, with “over 500 pre-rolls provided” and a cannabis-infused dinner prepared by chef Craig Chomsky. Their Instagram also promises “free bud, a dab bar and high-end cannabis”, as well as “raffles, auctions and giveaways of some epic and expensive items. And we may or may not be lighting a half pound 24k gold joint at 4:20.”
CBD lovers looking for some education, and maybe a trim, may be interested in the barber shop High & Tight’s A High & Tight LA pop up event. It promises “to be a CBD positive and informative event. There’s more to the cannabis plant than THC.” There will be music, CBD cocktails, CBD facials, medicated goodies, prizes and vendors. From 12pm-4pm, a $5 donation gets you in and goes toward the charity Covenant House California.
The biggest 4/20 event of all may be the Kushstock Festival. Now in its 7th year, it will be taking over the entire Adelanto Stadium. Their website says that “Kushstock Festival has and always will be a free general admission festival with access to free water, clean bathrooms, live music, live art and more.” However, VIP tickets can be purchased, which gets you early admission, VIP parking, and access to The Medicated Barbies lounge where you’ll “have a chance to sample and vote on competition entries.” The festival’s main feature is its long running competition for cannabis products, with categories from flower to edibles and concentrates. It also has “Skater’s Paradise, Ring of Fire Wrestling” and musical performances by “Too Short, Baby Bash, Compton Menace” and more. If you know what any of that means, and you’re also over 21, you can party in a stadium full of cannabis chaos and vendors from 12pm-11pm.
If you’d rather stick close to home and grab some goodies to celebrate the national day of a-stone-ment the old-fashioned way, many local shops are having promos. 4/20 is a great day to support your local cannabis businesses and get some great deals, like a Green Friday (although yes, it’s on a Saturday). Los Angeles Variety Cannabis (LAVC) will have 20% off all day, with multiple vendors doing giveaways and promos in the store. There will also be a taco truck parked out front serving free tacos with any purchase, a great pre-emptive move to beat the munchies. California Caregivers Alliance (CCA) in Silverlake will have buy-one-get-one patient appreciation deals all day, as well as goodie bags and spins on their “wheel of deals”. Weedmaps is a great resource to find out what local shops are doing for the holiday, as well as Instagram and Snapchat.
No matter what you’re looking for, the eclectic offerings in Los Angeles can help you find the perfect way for you to celebrate this 4/20.
