Whether you’d consider yourself a “stoner” or just a casual cannabis enjoyer, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of 420. What was once just a code amongst a group of friends, April 20th has turned into the holiday to celebrate all things cannabis.
You don’t need to be a self-proclaimed cannasseur (cannabis conniseur, if you weren’t familiar with the term) or stoner to love celebrating a fun holiday. So, if you’re looking for some hemp-powered 420 ideas this April 20th (and every April 20th after), we’ve got the ultimate guide for you.
The History of 420
Since this is the ultimate guide, we feel obligated to hit a quick history lesson before getting into the festivities. Don’t worry, there’s no test at the end.
The SparkNotes version goes like this:
-
In 1971, a group of friends at San Rafael High School (who called themselves the “Waldos”) decided they would meet up at a specific time to hang out and partake in some botany (smoking weed). That specific time was 4:20 PM, and “420” quickly became code for partaking in some cannabis.
-
Sometime after high school, one of the original Waldos became a roadie for the Grateful Dead bassist, Phil Lesh, bringing the code word to a bigger stage.
-
In 1990, a group of Deadheads ended up passing out flyers that invited people to “420” on April 20th at 4:20 PM.
-
That flyer was picked up by a reporter at High Times magazine, and in 1991, the world was introduced to 4/20, the holiday.
How to Throw a 420 Party (or Celebrate on Your Own)
First things first, you need the goods! Now, depending on where you live, the goods are either going to be marijuana-derived THC or hemp-derived THC. If you don’t know the difference — or which one is legal in your state — just know that they actually both contain delta-9 THC, meaning you’ll get the same high from a hemp-derived THC product as you would from other products. That said, we always recommend picking gummies that contain naturally derived delta-9 THC (like Camino’s), not delta-8 or other compounds, which tend to be chemically synthesized from CBD.
Getting back to business, if you’re throwing a party, we recommend gummies that set the party vibes, rather than gummies that lock people into the couch. For Camino gummies, we’d suggest these sativa-leaning options:
Alternatively, if your idea of a celebration is popping a gummy and finding your chill, these indica-leaning gummies should do the trick:
Once you’ve secured the most important part of 420, it’s time to plan the rest of the festivities…
Fun 420 Ideas and Activities
Let’s get the party started! Here are some fun ideas and activities for celebrating 420:
Go Early With a 420 Brunch Party
Not every party has to be at night. Consider this a 420 party: wake-and-bake edition. Some edibles, a nice breakfast…heck, you could even do your own version of an alcohol-free ‘doses and mimosas’ (mocktails of course) by just adding OJ, a sparkling beverage of your choice, and garnishing with a Freshly Squeezed ‘Recover’ gummy.
Plan to do Some 420 Activities
You probably already know this, but there are a lot of fun things that can be made even more fun with the right edible. Decide on an activity you can do solo or with your friends, grab your gummy of choice, and take it all the way. Need a few ideas? Check out our guide on 40+ Fun Things to Do While High.
Backyard Party: 420 Edition
If you’re one of those people who has taken the time to craft your backyard into the perfect party oasis, now is the time to show it off. Invite friends over to celebrate 420, get the BBQ fired up, play some games, and make the most of your backyard space.
Movie (and a Gummy) Night
The right gummy and movie pairing can unlock new levels of cinematic appreciation. So, it only makes sense to turn your classic movie night into a 420 party. Whether you want to go full 420-themed or just enhance your fave film, we've got you covered with perfect movie + gummy pairings.
Solo Celebration
Not every holiday needs to be a group thing. Pretty much every activity listed above can also be done solo or with a partner, but it’s totally up to you on how you want to celebrate the day. We even count having a gummy and settling down with a book as a way to celebrate!
A Good Old-Fashioned Party
Sometimes (errr, most times?) we don’t need to overthink it. Some themed decorations (cannabis-related or simply green-themed), music, dancing, games, and, of course, gummies that bring the euphoric party vibe.
How to Enjoy Yourself on 4/20 Without Overdoing It
One benefit to a 420 party over a classic party is that you get the buzz without the booze. Which means you should be right as rain the next day. Now, that does come with the caveat that you paid attention to the dosages of the gummies you were taking.
The good news is that even if you did take too many MGs, you’re going to be okay and likely won’t be feeling too off the next morning…minus the rare exception of you full-on greening out (an intense and sometimes overwhelming reaction to having consumed too much THC, which is still not nearly as bad as blacking out, btw).
420, the Kiva Way
Whether you decide to go full party mode or opt for a day spent recharging by yourself, the right edible is the most important element of the day. So, grab your favorite hemp-derived Camino gummy or Kiva chocolate bar, and let 420 commence!
