Dispensaries across metro Phoenix are celebrating April 20 — also known as Weed Day — with block parties, giveaways and deals three years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Arizona.
Some events will take place on the actual holiday while others have delayed the celebration by a day so people can celebrate on a Friday (April 21). The “dopest” block party will return to the streets of downtown Phoenix for its second year and a “transcendent” cannabis-infused dining experience will also take place downtown.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about 420 and a roundup of some of the events celebrating the holiday in metro Phoenix.
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What day of the week is 4/20 this year?
April 20, 2023 falls on a Thursday.
Where did the term 420 come from?
April 20 has long been recognized as a day celebrating marijuana. But the origins aren’t clear.
One of the leading theories is that five California teens used 420 as a code in the 1970s.
As the legend goes, in 1971, San Rafael High School student Waldo Steve was given “a treasure map to a patch of weed.” His group of friends, known as the Waldos, met on campus at the statue of chemist Louis Pasteur. The meeting time? 4:20 p.m., of course.
“They met, got high and drove out to search for the patch,” reads the explanation on the Waldos’ website, which is dedicated to establishing the group as “the real creators of the term 420.”
“In the ensuing school days the Waldos would use the term ‘420 Louie’ to remind each other of their after school quest. They eventually dropped the ‘Louie’ part and just said ‘420’ to refer to cannabis,” the Waldos’ website reads. “It was picked up by others and spread from generation to generation, city to city, country to country, across decades, and throughout all media around the globe.”
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Arizona marijuana laws
Here’s what to know about Arizona’s weed laws before you participate in 420 activities:
- In Arizona, consumers 21 and older can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana — or 5 grams in concentrated form — as laid out by Proposition 207.
- It’s illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana.
- Smoking in public is illegal.
- Dispensaries are cash-only because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.
- Recreational use is restricted to people 21 years and older.
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420 events and deals in metro Phoenix
Not all stores sell THC goods; some are CBD, which does not cause a “high.” You must be at least 21 years old to participate in most events.
According to Northern Arizona University’s Campus Health Services, people should wait at least six hours after partaking in cannabis products — or up to 12 hours for edibles — to drive. Less experienced consumers should also know that the effects of edibles and concentrates can be delayed by as long as 90 minutes for edibles.
For more information about cannabis use, go to https://www.learnaboutcannabiswa.org.
Here’s a selection of 420 celebrations at dispensaries, smoke shops and head shops across the Valley this year.
Buds-A-Palooza
Start celebrating early at the self-described “dopest 420 block party in AZ,” which will feature live music, stand-up comedy, live glass blowing demonstrations, food and drinks, an artisan vendor village, mural painting, a sneaker pop-up shop and stoner flick screenings ahead of the April 20 holiday.
The second annual event, which seeks to “highlight the best of Southwest cannabis culture and lifestyle,” will span four blocks just south of Roosevelt Row from — when else? — 4:20 p.m. to midnight on Friday. The Expendables are the main stage headliners for the evening.
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Details: 4:20 p.m. to midnight Friday, April 14. Fifth and Garfield streets in downtown Phoenix. $50 plus fees. budsapalooza.com.
Paraphernalia Boutique
The state’s longest-running head shop is ready to celebrate its annual 420 celebration.
Paraphernalia Boutique, which sells accessories such as bongs and water pipes — most of which are locally sourced — will host an event on Friday that features glass blowing, live music, a raffle, store-wide sales, giveaways and food.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 21. 4234 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. Free. 623-939-4787, paraphernaliaboutique.com.
The Verde Series: High Tea
Cloth & Flame has partnered with Copperstate Farms to plan “a truly transcendent dining experience” at the Icehouse in downtown Phoenix on Thursday and Friday. The “dream-like” event will feature elements such as whimsical floating clouds, moss-covered seating and wisps of fog while guests enjoy mocktails, appetizers, music, tea leaf and tarot card readings and a cannabis-infused dinner.
Guests must be at least 21 years old.
Details: 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 20-21. 429 W. Jackson St., Phoenix. $210. https://clothandflame.com.
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Waldo’s World 420 Music Fest
Waldo’s World 420 Music Fest, presented by Arizona Organix, will have live music from local artists, food trucks, dance battles, graffiti art and vendors in an all-local artisan village and “cannavillage.”
Admission is $20 plus fees. For $20 more, you can gain access to the Dopest Fight Night Lounge, where the Gervonta Davis versus Ryan Garcia pro boxing match will be projected on to a 20-foot screen. There will be four additional screens and a THC mocktail bar.
Details: 3-8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22. 5307 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. From $20, plus fees. arizonaorganix.org/events.
420 patio party at Arizona Natural Concepts
Arizona Natural Concepts will give the first 100 customers a bag of goodies starting at 8 a.m. then again at 4:20 p.m. on April 20. The event will also have games and prizes as well as live music from 9 a.m. Food trucks will be there from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A raffle for $420 in store credit will announce its winner at 4:20 p.m., too.
The store will also have BOGO deals and specials on select products.
Details: 8 a.m. Thursday, April 20. 1039 E. Carefree Hwy, Phoenix. 602-224-5999, ancdispensary.com/events.
The Blunt Club at Crescent Ballroom
The Blunt Club’s free monthly pop-up event will take place in downtown Phoenix on April 20. There will be DJs, live art and giveaways from Drip Oils and Extracts on Crescent Ballroom’s patio for guests 21 years and older.
Details: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday, April 20. 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com.
Up N’ Jokes at Mic Drop Mania
Downtown Chandler’s Mic Drop Mania comedy club will host “some of the funniest marijuana-friendly comedians in the Valley of the Sun” on Thursday. Comedy seekers are welcome to arrive at the show “stoned off 420.”
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20. 51 E. Boston St., Chandler. $15. 480-564-1844, micdropmania.com.
Mint Cannabis 420 Comedy Tour
Head to north Phoenix for “a night of laughter and cannabis on 420 eve” at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy. There will be six featured acts, cannabis vendors and product samples throughout the evening.
Details: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. 5350 E. High Street #105, Phoenix. From $20, plus fees. 480-420-3553, aztickets.houseofcomedy.net.
Stir Crazy Comedy Club’s 420 show
Stir Crazy Comedy Club just hopes that everyone planning to attend its 420 show arrives at the right place on the correct day on Thursday at Westgate Entertainment District. Six performers will take to the stage throughout the night.
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20. 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Ste E-206, Glendale. $15. 623-565-8667, stircrazycomedyclub.com.
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Jeeter Mart pop-up tour
Pre-roll company Jeeter is bringing back its pop-up mart tour, which will arrive at various California, Arizona and Michigan dispensaries through May 27. At 4:20 p.m., there will be a mini-mart set up with “specialized merch,” including Jeeter Mart apparel, infused snacks and Jeeter Juice. Customers are eligible for a free 1G Piña Colada with a purchase.
Though the brand will not be in the Valley on April 20, the pop-up will open before and after the holiday. Here’s when it’ll be in metro Phoenix:
- April 14: The Mint Cannabis, 1211 N. 75th Ave., Phoenix.
- May 5: Curaleaf Scottsdale, 16277 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Scottsdale.
- May 12: Herbal Wellness Center North, 1720 E. Deer Valley Dr., Phoenix.
- May 13: Nirvana Center Apache Junction, 1985 Apache Trail #4, Apache Junction.
- May 20: GreenPharms Dispensary Mesa, 7235 E. Hampton Ave., Suite 115, Mesa.
- May 26: Herbal Wellness Center West, 4126 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix.