Nothing fires up the imagination like 420.
The unofficial stoner holiday on Thursday has sparked political rallies, dope dispensary drive-thrus – even cannabis church services! – not to mention marijuana-inspired merch from hops to high-tops.
Moneyish weeded through the stash to pick the most interesting of the pot lot. And there’s something for everyone, regardless of whether or not you inhale.
- The International Church of Cannabis, whose members call themselves Elevationists, holds open house services in Denver on 4/20 and over the weekend to introduce itself as “a spiritual home to adults who seek to become the best version of themselves by way of the cannabis flower,” according to a statement.
- America’s first legal drive-thru marijuana dispensary opens in Parachute, Colorado, on Thursday and will run from 4 p.m. through midnight on weekends. The Tumbleweed Express Drive-Thru is subject to state laws, however, which means no one under 21 can roll up and pick up – and that includes anyone underage in the car or parking lot.
- If you do toke up or consume edibles (legally, of course) don’t get behind the wheel. Lyft and Uber are offering 420 discounts in Denver to make sure no one drives high. Uber offers a $4.20 discount on rides two and from downtown Denver on 4/20 with the code SAFE420, while Lyft has teamed up with the Colorado Department of Transportation to offer free and discounted rides to and from official 420 events – including a scavenger hunt where riders who find hidden 420 mile marker signs get a code for $42 in Lyft credits.
- If you can’t use recreational marijuana in your state, but wish you could, NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), is sponsoring a Day of Action for cannabis advocates to demand their government representatives end marijuana prohibition by taking to Twitter, Facebook – and even by picking up the phone and calling. And the Washington, D.C.-area pro-marijuana activists DCMJ will be handing out two free joints to members of Congress (and congressional staffers, interns and even credentialed D.C. journalists) from noon until 4:20 p.m. on Thursday for the group’s first “joint session” to urge lawmakers to pass cannabis reform. This is actually legal on non-federal land because the city of D.C. allows possession of a small amount of marijuana.
- Thirsty for a different buzz? Sip a weed-themed brew such as the Lagunitas Waldos’ Special Ale, named after the group of California high schoolers (the Waldos) who originated the term 420 in the 70s. Lagunitas describes it as “herbaceous” and “resinous” — and recommends be paired with beer-battered Twinkies con queso. ‘Or sip SweetWater Brewing Company’s seasonal 420 Extra Pale Ale and Hash Session IPA — say at the three-day SweetWater 420 Fest this weekend in Atlanta, featuring performances by Widespread Panic, Talib Kweli and Dark Star Orchestra.
- Talk about high tops. Sneaker freaks are hot and bothered about Nike Skateboarding’s latest sneaker, the $100 Nike SB Dunk Lo Pro Intergalactic dropping at 10 a.m. with galaxies of iridescent stars dusted across the green patent leather kicks. While reps say the release date of the cosmic sneak is a coincidence, the Intergalactic is the latest in Nike’s line of skater sneaks released on April 20 with marijuana-friendly monikers, including the Skunk, the Blunt, and of course, the “Cheech & Chong.”
- And feed those munchies with some specialty 420 snacks, including this “Elvis In Vegas” 420 pizza — actually dished in Dallas — that tops a cheesy pizza with edible sequins, pulled pork marinated in Sunkist orange soda, and a “dime bag” of crushed Cheetos cooked up for 4/20. And the nationwide burger meal delivery kit BurgaBox has dreamed up a $65 420 Burger Feast special that piles an eight-ounce patty with bacon, fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, fried mac and cheese, golden barbecue sauce and American cheese.