Cannabis Holidays & Celebrations: Complete Guide to 420 and Beyond

The cannabis community has developed its own calendar of holidays, celebrations, and significant dates. From the famous 420 to newer celebrations like 710, this guide covers every cannabis holiday and how enthusiasts celebrate them.

Quick Answer

Major cannabis holidays include: April 20th (420) - the biggest cannabis celebration; July 10th (710) - Dab/Oil Day; Green Wednesday - pre-Thanksgiving sales event; and Jack Herer's Birthday (June 18th). These occasions feature dispensary sales, community events, and cultural gatherings celebrating cannabis.

---

April 20th (420)

The Origin Story

The Waldos:

In 1971, five high school students in San Rafael, California - Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich - coined "420."

The Legend:

• They met at 4:20 PM after school
• Gathered at Louis Pasteur statue
• Searched for a rumored abandoned cannabis crop
• "420 Louis" became their code, eventually shortened to "420"

Spread:

• Connection to Grateful Dead scene
• High Times magazine adoption (1990s)
• Global recognition by 2000s

Modern 420 Celebrations

Major Events:

San Francisco (Hippie Hill, Golden Gate Park):

• Largest US gathering (pre-pandemic: 15,000+)
• Music, vendors, community
• 4:20 PM mass smoke

Denver:

• Mile High 420 Festival
• Legal cannabis celebration
• Major artists perform

Vancouver (4/20 Vancouver):

• Art gallery protests turned celebration
• Massive outdoor event
• Advocacy focused

Amsterdam:

• Coffee shop celebrations
• International tourist gathering
• City-wide festivities

How to Celebrate 420

Traditional:

• Smoke/consume at 4:20 PM
• Gather with friends
• Attend events or festivals
• Watch stoner movies

Modern:

• Dispensary deals and promotions
• Virtual events and live streams
• Cannabis-infused cooking
• Education events

Retail:

Dispensaries offer their biggest sales of the year. Stock up on:

• Flower
• Concentrates
• Edibles
• Accessories like custom grinders and rolling trays

---

July 10th (710)

The Concentrate Holiday

The Name:

"710" spells "OIL" upside down, celebrating cannabis concentrates.

When it Started:

Early 2010s, as concentrate culture grew in legal states.

What's Celebrated

Concentrates:

• Shatter
• Wax
• Live resin
• Rosin
• Diamonds
• Sauce
• Budder
• Distillate

710 Celebrations

Events:

• Concentrate-focused festivals
• Dab bar pop-ups
• Extract artist showcases
• Hash competitions

Deals:

Dispensaries offer concentrate-specific sales:

• Buy-one-get-one concentrates
• Discounted dab tools
• Bundle deals

Activities:

• Low-temp dab sessions
• Concentrate tastings
• Education on extraction methods
• New product releases

710 vs 420

---

Green Wednesday

The Pre-Thanksgiving Rush

What It Is:

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving - one of the highest-sales days for cannabis dispensaries.

Why:

• College students home for break
• Holiday stress
• Preparation for family gatherings
• Time off work

Shopping Guide

Best Deals On:

• Bulk flower purchases
• Pre-rolls for sharing
• Edibles for holiday meals
• Vape cartridges

Pro Tip: Order ahead online for pickup to avoid lines.

---

Other Cannabis Dates

Jack Herer's Birthday (June 18th)

Who Was Jack Herer:

• Author of "The Emperor Wears No Clothes"
• Legendary cannabis activist
• Strain named after him

How to Honor:

• Read his book
• Support cannabis activism
• Enjoy Jack Herer strain

Bob Marley's Birthday (February 6th)

Celebrating the Icon:

• Listen to his music
• Learn about Rastafarian culture
• Community gatherings
• Strain celebrations (Marley Natural)

Cannabis Legalization Anniversaries

State-Specific Celebrations:

• November 6, 2012 - Colorado and Washington legalization
• January 1, 2014 - First legal recreational sales (CO)
• January 1, 2018 - California recreational sales begin
• Various other state dates

National Hemp Day (February 4th)

Celebrating Industrial Hemp:

• Agricultural focus
• CBD products
• Sustainability discussions
• 2018 Farm Bill anniversary

Legalization Day (Various)

Different states celebrate their specific legalization dates:

• Community events
• Dispensary promotions
• Political celebrations

---

Monthly Cannabis Observances

"Unofficial" Monthly Celebrations

Some enthusiasts observe:

4/20 Each Month:

Monthly "420" at 4:20 PM

First Friday:

Cannabis community gathering nights

Full Moon Sessions:

Outdoor smoking traditions

---

International Cannabis Days

Around the World

Global Million Marijuana March (First Saturday of May):

• Worldwide protests/celebrations
• Legalization advocacy
• Major cities participate

Cannabis Liberation Day (Netherlands):

• June event
• Amsterdam-based
• Cultural celebration

Hash Bash (Ann Arbor, Michigan - First Saturday of April):

• Since 1972
• University of Michigan
• Advocacy and celebration

---

Planning Cannabis Events

Hosting Your Own

Small Gathering Tips:

• Provide variety (flower, edibles, concentrates)
• Have non-cannabis options
• Prepare munchies
• Create comfortable setting
• Use quality accessories from MunchMakers

Safety:

• Designated drivers or rideshare
• Know guest tolerance levels
• Dosing information for edibles
• Stay hydrated

What You Need

Accessories:

• Rolling trays for group sessions
• Grinders for fresh ground flower
• Stash jars for strain variety
• Ashtrays and disposal options

Entertainment:

• Stoner movies
• Music playlists
• Games
• Outdoor activities (if weather permits)

Food:

• Snacks (both healthy and indulgent)
• Drinks (non-alcoholic)
• Cannabis-infused options (clearly labeled, dosed)

---

Cannabis Holiday Sales Guide

When to Buy

Best Discounts:

1. 420 - Biggest sales

2. 710 - Concentrate discounts

3. Green Wednesday - Pre-holiday deals

4. Black Friday/Cyber Monday - Growing tradition

5. New Year's - Party supplies

What to Stock Up On

Accessories:

Don't forget accessories during sales - quality pieces last:

• Grinders
• Rolling trays
• Storage containers
• Pipes and papers

---

The Future of Cannabis Holidays

Emerging Celebrations

As legalization expands:

• More state-specific anniversaries
• Corporate-sponsored events
• Music festival integration
• Sports event partnerships

Mainstream Integration

Cannabis holidays are becoming more mainstream:

• Media coverage increasing
• Brand partnerships
• Tourism opportunities
• Economic impact recognition

---

This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.