Over the last month, our lives have morphed into a Black Mirror fever dream complete with Zoom meetings, bandana face masks, and toilet paper shortages. If all of that hasn’t been surreal enough, for the first time in post-1970s Bay Area history, there will be no public celebrations honoring 4/20, arguably our region’s favorite holiday.
In a recent news conference, San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued a stern warning: “We will not tolerate anyone coming to San Francisco for 4/20 this year.”
Nothing like a global pandemic to ruin your plans to get high and enjoy the beauty of the Bay.
As much as that sucks, do you know why it’s not the end of the world? For one thing, it’s extremely necessary (seriously, stay the fuck home and get over it). But secondly: C’mon people, we got weed.
Not only is it legal for all adults in California, but cannabis dispensaries are also considered essential businesses here. Some states with recreational marijuana are only allowing medical cannabis retailers to stay open, but not us. Plus, don’t forget there are still places in the U.S. where cannabis is straight-up illegal. Do you realize how lucky we are?
So turn that frown upside down because celebrating 4/20 at home might be the best thing that’s ever happened to us — here’s why:
- You can get your weed delivered. It’s never been easier to buy cannabis in the comfort of your own home. And weed delivery giant Eaze isn’t the only game in town — there are lots of local delivery services in the Bay including Sava, Posh Green Delivery, and Padre Mu, to name a few.
- Munchies, too. Local restaurants need our business, so if the budget allows, leave the cooking to the professionals and order in. Check out some ideas here.
- You learned how to bake. That means your snack-making game has never been better, so buck up and get to work on those scones. If you need ideas, check out these recipes from Bay Area bakers.
- 4/20 festivals have gone virtual. Check out a DJ set and smoke sesh with Wiz Khalifa. Learn how to “Get Good at Weed” during a workshop hosted by Chelsea Handler. Enjoy a live performance from Melissa Etheridge, then donate to charity, during the online HighStream 420 Festival. If you wanted, you could spend all day checking out all kinds of virtual seshes — Leafly went through the trouble of compiling a list of them just for you.
- No traffic in your living room. Remember way back in February when it took two hours to commute between Oakland and San Francisco? Now you can stay put on your couch, which, if you’re being honest, is really the best place to be stoned during a pandemic.
- No crowds. Who wants to hang in a meadow jam-packed with blissed-out potheads on a day trip from Antioch? Not this stoner. And skipping big events means…
- No Porta-Potties. The home bathroom looks like a spa after you spruced it up it for that #Don’tRushChallenge video you made the other day — enjoy that shit.
- Edibles have never been better. Since right now isn’t the best time to puff, and social distancing makes it impossible to pass, weed edibles and drinkables are the new go-to. Infused candies, cookies, brownies, honey, teas, sparkling drinks, and tinctures finally get their time to shine. Take a sip of California Dreamin’s cranberry apple sparkling beverage, or maybe an infused chocolate bite from Satori will perk you up. Have a dose (better yet, halve a dose — you’ve got all day) and let hours of euphoria unfold.
- You don’t need to BART, Uber, or Lyft. After indulging in Sour Diesel, do you really want to be trying to reload your Clipper card or standing on a busy corner looking for a driver named Rick in a white Nissan Rogue? I didn’t think so.
- There’s a new cannabis cooking show debuting on Netflix. And Kelis is the host, because what else brings all the boys and girls to the yard better than cannabis-infused recipes?
- So. Much. Content. From newly released movies you can watch at home to free content from channels like HBO and AMC, 4/20 viewing marathons are going to be extra lit this year. The entire run of The Golden Girls ain’t gonna stream itself.
- You literally have the best weed in the house. There’s no such thing as mid-grade herb when you’re the only one smoking it. It’s all top-shelf, baby.
- No pants, no bra, all good. This is the Bay after all, so nothing new there, but still something to be thankful for.
- Your bed is four feet away. The couch, too. I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure comfy furniture can’t give you Covid-19, so crawl up in there, and don’t forget the pillows.
- You get to stay home. There’s a moratorium on evictions, and that stimulus check is on the way. So wash your hands, pop a gummy, and pull up The Chronic on Spotify because it is time to chill the F out, quarantine style.
Mayor London Breed said it best: “Order food. Watch Netflix. Stay home and stay safe.”
