Cannabis Now’s Ultimate Guide to 420

This 420, cannabis is more widely available to your average consumer than it has been in decades. Recently, some have argued that 420 is increasingly irrelevant, now that it’s legal for adults over the age of 21 to consume in 10 states, two U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., as well as abroad in Uruguay and Canada.

But we at Cannabis Now call on our readers, whether you’re a wake-and-bake champion or a one-hit wonder, to reject the narrative that chalks up weed’s appeal to its illicit status. We know that if you really appreciate the plant, you don’t just ingest in search of a cheap thrill. You do it because it makes you feel good, because it brings you relief from a wide spectrum of ailments, because it’s a great way to veg out with your friends, because it’s fun.

Here’s how to maximize your good time — and the amount of good you can do — on this year’s 420.

What To Know About 420

It’s easy to take 420 at face value, as a day dedicated to enjoying cannabis. But before you start smoking (or once you’ve already begun), take some time to read up on the history of 420. It’s good to have context for why we’re so obsessed with this number in the first place, the activists who paved the way for the 420-friendly landscape we enjoy today, the forgotten legacy of New York City’s anti-prohibition movement and even how 420 isn’t quite what it used to be, thanks mostly to big business.

What to Smoke This 420

We’ve got you covered when it comes to the basics of cannabis consumption, from rolling blunts to rolling cone joints, choosing the hypest strains right now, and dabbing top-shelf concentrates, because there are so many different ways to indulge your cannabis cravings.

We also have guides from cannabis experts for creative ways to partake in the plant throughout the day. We have Ngaio Bealum — of Netflix’s “Cooking on High” fame — on how to live your best 420, Jimi Devine with tips for how to consume cannabis like a pro, and Mike Adams giving a play-by-play of what your 420 day should look like.

Where to Celebrate Do This 420

If you live in a major city in an adult-use cannabis state, chances are you’re surrounded by almost too many 420 options — so we broke down the best event for you to attend in each city.

If you’re looking to do something extra special for 420 this year, why not take a little last-minute trip to D.C.’s National Cannabis Festival, headlined by Ludacris and Action Bronson, or book a magical night at a 420-friendly treehouse. If you’ve got a passport, you could even head up to Vancouver’s contentious 420 celebration — and don’t forget to build the perfect 420 playlist for some tunes on the road and for the inevitable sesh when you arrive at your destination.

What to Eat This 420

420 wouldn’t be complete without some dank edibles, like these cannabis-infused granola bars that are perfect to carry with you or split with friends. But why stop there? Infused mac and cheese, a wake-and-bake brunch and THC-packed popsicle cubes could all be on the menu if you want to spend your 420 getting crafty in the kitchen. And if you’d rather participate in a hype-garnering advertising ploy, Carl’s Jr. has whipped up a history-making CBD burger for your culinary pleasure if you live in the Denver area.

How to Give Back to the Community This 420

At the end of the day, part of what makes being a cannabis enthusiast so great is that you’re part of a community — and as such, you should be doing the work to champion social causes and uplift your fellow weed lovers. Follow the lead of activists and take the day after 420 to focus on cannabis justice, or donate your time and money to these four worthy causes. You also can read the poem of a man incarcerated for running a state-legal dispensary and even eat some Ben & Jerry’s to support criminal record expungement. After all, there’s no better way to buck the stigma surrounding cannabis than to engage with the issues and fight for what you believe is right.

Now get out there and make the most of your 420. Don’t worry, you can thank us later.

TELL US, what are your 420 plans?