Happy online 4/20? Under coronavirus shutdown, California weed festivities go virtual
Will Californians still light up under lockdown?
For some, this entire month was supposed to be the biggest pot celebration perhaps since California voted to legalize recreational marijuana in November 2016. By virtue of nothing more than our rules for calendar shorthand, the entirety of April 2020 could be dubbed “4/20,” and thus the (definitely not federally recognized) holiday known to some as Weed Day could be extended 30-fold to become Weed Month, crescendoing today: Monday, April 20, 2020.
But as it has to sports, concerts, the economy, dine-in restaurants and countless other elements of everyday life, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on things, canceling all formal events and public celebrations throughout California that would have brought weed enthusiasts together under normal circumstances.
As of Sunday, state public health officials had reported more than 1,150 confirmed deaths from the virus that causes the respiratory disease known as COVID-19. Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 19 put in place a mandatory stay-at-home order, which remains in effect with no firm end date in sight for the state’s nearly 40 million residents.
In the Sacramento region, the highest profile marijuana-themed event that had been planned for this month was the Cannabis Cup — a half-music festival, half-smoke-session originally scheduled for this past Saturday and Sunday at Cal Expo, a venue that has since transformed part of its parking lot to a drive-through COVID-19 test site.
Cannabis Cup’s organizer, High Times Magazine, in a statement early last month said the event had been postponed indefinitely but that some of its other 4/20 celebrations would proceed “in a more virtual manner.” High Times ended up live-streaming its “High Times Hemp Cup 2020” awards show to Facebook at 4:20 p.m. on April 4 (that was 4/4/20, for those keeping score).
It’ll have to be either a solo or virtual 4/20 this year, California officials have advised.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed recruited none other than Bay Area rapper and “ambassador” E-40, for a video public service announcement urging people not to gather for 4/20.
“It’s the real deal,” E-40 said of COVID-19. “ ... Let’s stay in the house, man. We love 4/20, but let’s not get out there in crowds and all that. Let’s not do that. They gotta be canceled this year.”
In normal times, San Francisco would be a popular site for 4/20 festivities for those within a day trip’s distance.
But the mayor will have none of that this year. Breed advised in a tweet on April 13: “To be clear: 4/20 will not be tolerated this year. Do not come to San Francisco to celebrate. We will cite people. We will arrest people if necessary. Order food. Watch Netflix. Stay home and stay safe.”
The good news for cannabis fans: Medicinal and recreational marijuana have been deemed essential in many parts of California and dispensaries have been allowed to stay open or provide delivery service in some jurisdictions, including Sacramento County and much of the Bay Area.
On the other hand, gatherings of any size remain prohibited, so the statewide and Sacramento County-wide stay-home orders each prohibit lighting up with anyone outside your immediate household.
With all of that said, here’s some of what California’s weed lovers can do today, and what to keep in mind with regards to consuming marijuana during a global health pandemic.
Attend a virtual smoke session or video chat with friends
MonthLeaf, which on its website brands itself as “Northern California’s favorite cannabis subscription club,” is co-hosting an all-day, virtual 4/20 party that can be watched on social media.
According to an Instagram post, the party will begin streaming on MonthLeaf’s Instagram and Facebook pages at 11 a.m., with scheduled events ranging from “Rolling Paper Origami” at noon to “Hit the Bong” at 4:20 p.m., trivia at 6 p.m. and a lip sync battle at 7 p.m.
Numerous similar events, nationwide or hosted from California, Colorado or other states where recreational marijuana is legal, can be found online and by way of social media. Many don’t start until 4:20 p.m., while others start earlier and last at least until that time. (Read on to the end of this story if you like Snoop Dogg.)
Erik Altieri, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), in a blog post penned in March — shortly before California and other states formally banned get-togethers but as state and federal health officials were beginning to strongly urge social distancing measures — suggested moving smoke sessions to FaceTime, Zoom, Skype or another video conferencing platform.
“Community has always been central to cannabis culture, but given the health crisis we find ourselves in, it is best we think of community a little differently,” Altieri wrote.
Consider edibles rather than smoking
NORML last week in a blog post urged those who wish to celebrate 4/20 to do so from home.
“Because COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, you may wish to limit your exposure to combustive smoke,” NORML wrote in a set of coronavirus guidelines, suggesting consumers may instead try edibles.
Coronavirus is not food borne, but if someone sneezes or coughs on anything, whether it be a brownie, bud or a pipe, the virus will spread, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Listen to Wiz Khalifa or Snoop Dogg
Weed rapper Wiz Khalifa is among a handful of hip-hop artists who dropped new albums Monday, laced with cannabis-themed rhymes for the occasion. He titled his “The Saga of Wiz Khalifa,” while Houston-based producer Mike Dean more directly titled his debut album, “4:20.” Both are streaming now on Spotify and Apple Music.
Rap legend Dr. Dre, meanwhile, had his 1992 classic “The Chronic” go live on streaming platforms Monday.
Fellow West Coast legend Snoop Dogg, whose enjoyment of marijuana has reached almost mythical levels, in an Instagram post said he will be holding a virtual “420 smoke-in, celebrating the availability of ‘The Chronic’ everywhere.”
At 4:20 p.m., “DJ Snoopadelic” will go live on Instagram for a listening party of the album.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Happy online 4/20? Under coronavirus shutdown, California weed festivities go virtual."
