Whether you plan to celebrate with a small group of friends or pop an edible for a cozy night on the couch, be safe. And remember, don’t drive!
It’s hard to believe that around this time last year, many of us were only beginning to adjust to the stay-at-home lifestyle forced upon us as the pandemic took hold. This year, things are looking brighter, with 91% of Americans overwhelmingly supporting marijuana legalization, according to a Pew Research poll.
Because this April 20 looks a lot brighter than last, many of us will be using the opportunity to celebrate with a high. Here are four ways to keep it safe.
Swap a joint for an edible Â
While plenty of people will go “old school” with a joint, cannabis edibles have been a popular go-to this year, with little signs of slowing. During a time when consumers are aiming to protect their lungs, edible sales have doubled, with gummies as the frontrunner representing over half the edible market. Brownies, cookies and chocolates are also popular. You can join the trend by simply swapping a beer for a cannabis infused beverage.
RELATED: Why Cannabis Operators Expect Record 420 Despite Coronavirus Concerns
While THC is soluble in alcohol, it is illegal to combine alcohol and cannabis in the United States — so water-based drinks prevail.
Make up for lost birthday celebrations with a Birthjay
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As the industry reaches $20 billion, there are increasing ways to bring cannabis into everyday celebrations. Make up for all of 2020’s un-celebrated birthdays on 420 this year with a shameless box of donuts and a free Birthjay, a festive pre-rolled joint topped with a candle wick for a proper birthday wish. Birthjays come empty, leaving it to you to decide how to fill them, and a cake stake so your joint doesn’t get covered in icing. The company is working with DK’s Donuts, the Los Angeles pastry legends known for their wacky combinations, like a croissant & donut hybrid or waffle & donut hybrids. Outside of California, you can still order Birthjays on the company website or through Amazon.
Be smart if gathering with friends
Now that the 50% of Americans have had at least one COVID vaccine, music and other festivals are announcing dates and people are itching to gather. COVID has increased the popularity of marijuana with sales to first time customers showing a significant increase. Unlike last year, you can have a 420 socially distanced party celebrating the high holiday. But if you decide to go this route, there are safer ways of approaching it to avoid spreading germs.
First, make sure you are CDC appropriate. Offer a variety of ways to consume and if you are going to puff puff pass, be smart. Glass bowls and bongs are a hotbed for germs, containing more bacteria than a public toilet seat. So just like we wear face masks or lean in for an elbow bump instead of a handshake, we should be thinking about some sort of alternative.
RELATED: Here’s How You Can Safely Share Weed During The Pandemic
The practice of sharing a joint among friends has been a common social activity for as long as we have consumed cannabis. If you happen to find yourself in a smoke circle anytime soon, bring your own personal MouthPeace to be safe. The Moose Labs MouthPeace is a physician-backed germ-preventing device designed to fit joints, vape pens, or glass pieces. Not only does the MouthPeace create a sanitary barrier, but it also protects your lungs.
Register to vote
This is a big year for marijuana legalization. At this point in time, roughly 43% of the U.S. population lives in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, and within the past two months, four states legalized marijuana for recreational use. If you want your voice to be heard on the matter, the time is now or never as nationwide legalization becomes more of a possibility.
Overall, no matter if you plan to celebrate with a close group of friends or pop an edible for a cozy night on the couch, keep your hopes high. Who knows, maybe this time next year we’ll be lighting our joints in honor of federal legalization!
