The high holy day of April 20 aka 4/20 is upon us. As a savior rises on that day for some, it is cannabis that reigns supreme for others.
Just a reminder before we get into it, that the term 4/20 itself is not a police code for cannabis usage—as per popular belief—but instead, a code word used by a bunch of high schoolers in San Rafael in 1971 who would meet at a statue of Louis Pasteur after school at 4:20pm to hunt for a legendary cannabis grow. They never found it, but one of those students became a roadie for the Grateful Dead, and that’s where the term spread.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, there is plenty to do this year on 4/20. (All events are open April 20 unless otherwise noted.)
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will hold their annual Easter party in Duboce Park. There will be plenty of 4/20-friendly behavior and just about everything else there, so you can get totally baked by the time they crown this year’s Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary.
Space Walk (April 14-20), David Down’s epic week of cannabis programming that I wrote about in my last column, will culminate with a party on the roof of the Mirus Gallery from 1-5pm. It’s free with proof of a recent cannabis purchase, but you have to RSVP.
I am sure there will be plenty of stoners hanging out and about at Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park though there is not an official event planned.
Other things I noticed going on April 20 include a picnic in Oakland called The Lake Show featuring stoners and poetry, a 420 reggae experience at KANNA in Oakland as well as the 420 Reggae On The Bay cruise leaving from Jack London Square, and I’m sure there will be lots of stoners at Daytime Realness at El Rio.
Every cannabis brand on the planet will have 4/20 specials, so check in with your favorite dispensaries and brands for what they have going.
This year, I want to feature three really fun ways to smoke weed this 420 and beyond. First, let’s turn to Puffco’s new dabbing device called the Pivot.
“The Pivot puts the full Puffco experience in your pocket. The same size as a pen, this discreet, mobile vaporizer features a quick-release 3D Chamber that delivers premium flavor and real-time temperature control. With a light bar that serves as a visual dab timer, haptic feedback, a single-button interface, and four dialed heat presets, the Pivot is a true dab you can take anywhere,” states its listing on the Puffco website.
They are not lying. This baby works like no one’s business. It looks like a highlighter marker or can of breath spray. It easily fits in almost any pocket. I just flipped the rubber top up, added my concentrate into the chamber, and closed the chamber. Then, I clicked the button a couple of times. The red light started shooting up the device as it quickly heated up. When it was ready, it vibrated as herby weed vapor started seeping out, and then BAM, I was inundated with lots of terpy vapor.
The Pivot really delivered. It works and hits so smoothly and is easily rechargeable. I was toking on that tiny machine for a while, and I got wonderfully high. Use a cotton swab to clean out the chamber between sessions.
The Pivot is an affordable investment that starts at $130. Leave it to Puffco to deliver such an innovative machine for 420.
Now we go back to the basics, the bong.
I was contacted on Facebook by Jim Hill up in Pioneer, which is up by Sacramento. He created the Hillbilly Bong for himself and was so happy with it, he turned it into a start-up. It’s a basic bong set up with a screw lid that fits mason jars and tons of other types of jars, so you can customize. It is also easy to add ice to make a nice smooth, frigid hit, or maybe root beer or some other flavored liquid.
I love the simplicity of this bong, which is not nearly as easy to break as some fancier models. (Trust me—I had a freak accident in my kitchen not too long ago that took out my special holiday bong, and I am still in mourning.) If the jar breaks, the rig is still good, so just replace it.
There are two other things I love about the Hillbilly Bong. One, it comes in a Glow-In-The-Dark style, and costs only $22 plus shipping. And two, I admire Jim’s pioneering spirit as he creates something out of his own imagination and puts it out there for the world to toke on.
I will be giving out a Hillbilly Bong at the next BONG-O BINGO, drag cannabis bingo, at Mission Cannabis Club on Wed/16 from 6-9pm.
This BONG-O BINGO is on a special weeknight, as we salute the service industry. Service folk get an extra bingo board upon entry to show our appreciation for how they deal with all our wants and needs. I will be hosting along with Thee Pristine Condition and special guest Ace Palomino.
There will be tasty mocktails from Manzanita Naturals, smokey treats by Ooka, and our additional sponsors are Dime Bag, Sluggers, and Kingroll.
You’ll be able to win cannabis prizes with every round! It is a good lead up to 420.
Finally, it is always fun to see what Hemper has on their website to celebrate 420. This year, it is a ramen bowl bong where you toke through the chopstick. There are two sizes, seven inches and and 8.6 inches, and they are currently on sale. I’ve been using the seven-inch bong, and like with all their products, it is well made, hits nicely, and has a clever design.
You just have to watch out with this one and not burn your nose. Hemper also includes lots of fun items in your shipment to help keep your bong healthy and clean.
That wraps up my cover of 420 this year. I hope everyone has a safe, fun and very stoney High Holy Day of 420!
Now I am going to light up.
