Adapting to a New Reality: Virtual 4/20

It’s here, you guys! The month all of the cannasuers, “stoners”, cannabis healers have been looking forward to: April 2020, or 4/20. The month of endless 4/20 celebration! It’s finally here. But, as a result of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 virus, the celebration is going to look different than anyone had ever imagined. 

Coronavirus concerns have changed our 4/20-related social plans. Instead of picturing attending lively, exuberant, and smoke-filled parties that would be worthy of a feature in High Times, cannabis fans everywhere are realizing that, realistically, their 4/20 celebrations will be downsized.

But, honestly, cannabis users have been forced to jump through hoops and legal loopholes for decades. Due to that legacy, cannabis folks are a little scrappy - and we are using this to our advantage. We have agility and resiliency in spades! 

And so, in the era of coronavirus, cannabis insiders are leveraging their creativity and agility to their advantage. Like always, cannabis users are adapting and making the best of the moment. 

I’m gearing up for the cannabis Zoom parties!

The Ultimate Adaptation: Virtual 4/20 Celebrations 

Obviously, the 4/20 celebrations that we have become accustomed to in years past will not be taking place this year. Originally, I had been planning to spend 4/20 by attending a local Tokeativity event, attending SPLIFF film fest in Seattle, and attending a concert hosted by my employer. Now, none of those events will be taking place. 

And I know I’m not alone in having to shift my personal 4/20 plans. Cannabis users everywhere are having to reimagine what their 4/20 celebration is going to look like. Even something as casual as a smoke-circle consisting of a few friends is not permitted according to social distancing guidelines. 

Luckily, cannabis lovers are creative AF. And there is a new kind of 4/20 celebration cropping up: virtual 4/20 parties. 

Cannabis trade associations, collectives, and companies are playing to their strengths and showcasing just how agile they are by pivoting from social 4/20 gatherings to virtual meetups. 

Upcoming Virtual 4/20 Celebrations

While there are hundreds of virtual smoke outs being hosted this week, I wanted to share a few of the most exciting virtual 4/20 events that are on my radar.

• Haus of Jane - Online 4/20 Celebration, hosted by a Haus of Jane (Haus of Jane is a collaboration between Tokeativity, Women Empowered in Cannabis, and White Buffalo Events)

  • For all my canna-loving women out there, this is the place to be! I attended the last Haus of Jane virtual event earlier this month and ended up making several new friends and connections. This forum allows women to come together and share in our mutual passion for cannabis, all away from the gaze or judgment of the patriarchy. There’s just something about the combination of cannabis and feminism that really gets me going :)

• Chronic Relief, hosted by Farechild

  • This live-stream virtual event is intended to live up to the supportive and caring side of the cannabis industry, and will be raising money for Feeding America in order to support people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 response. The live-stream will feature videos from various influencers, celebrities, and artists. Visit the Farechild events website to register - I did, and it’s free!

• 420 Toke-a-thon Multicast, hosted by Seattle Hempfest

  • This live event, available to Seattle Hempfest members, will feature representatives from every time zone in the United States, meaning there will be a lot of “4:20” moments to light up! The event will feature several prominent speakers from the cannabis industry and even some games and activities, including stoner trivia. Sounds like fun :)

There are also many individual advocates and influencers in the cannabis space who are running with this new concept of virtual smoke sessions.

Charlotte (Lotta) Brathwaite of The Bakersmen Collective, a Seattle-based cannabis creative, has been hosting weekly smoke sessions, billed as “Baked N’ Blessed”. I have been lucky enough to attend a few of these sessions and have made several new friends and contacts as a result. I love what Lotta is doing and think that the normalization of virtual smoke sessions will have a lasting positive impact, even after current public health concerns dissipate. If you want to attend Lotta’s upcoming 4/20 party, follow @thebakersmencollective on Instagram for more information. 

Through all this flux and change, I’m reminded that cannabis really does bring people together, and this fact doesn’t change just because we are gathering through screens. 

And although I’m disappointed that I won’t get to hug or share a joint with my favorite cannabis lovers this weekend, I am excited to participate in the online celebrations. I am totally ready - with many cannabis goodies at the ready next to my computer! Also busting out my “LEGALIZE” earrings :)

I don’t think there’s any possibility of me not having a good time during these virtual meet-ups!