April 20 is a cannabis lover’s holiday. The day the Waldos coined perhaps one of the most iconic number combinations in the cultural lexicon — 420. But while the crew of students who met up at 4:20 p.m. to light up and celebrate their shared love of ganja, nowadays the average cannabis consumer has many more options. Some even opt to avoid smoking and vaping all together.
Just because you may not be a fan of the flower doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the high holiday. Thanks to the proliferation of Edibles and infused drinks, even those who are blunt-averse can enjoy the euphoric effects and celebratory qualities of cannabis. Here are just a few of the hundreds of edible and drink options to enjoy this fine Friday.
California Dreamin’ Cannabis Infused Sodas
Setting out to “shred the stoner stereotype,” California Dreamin’ offers low-dose infused beverages made with fruit juice. Founders Amy and Peter found a mutual love for cannabis on their first date. Thus was the birth of a blooming beverage business. California Dreamin’ sodas are available in Cranberry Apple, Pomegranate, Tangerine and Grapefruit. California consumers can find these fizzy drink delights at select California dispensaries with more retail partners on the way. The beverages are also delivered by Sava, Kind Courier and Viva.
Laurie + Mary Jane Almond Truffle Bites
Award-winning Portland, Oregon-based company Laurie + Mary Jane produces small-batch Edibles for those with a discerning palate for delicious sweets. Just in time for 420, these tiny delights start with an almond cake bite base mixed with almond buttercream, resulting in a smooth and tasty bite with the flavor and consistency of marzipan and cookie dough. Creator Laurie discovered the recipe from these bites after a batch of her popular Almond Cake Bites tested too high for the allowable limit in Oregon. Rather than throw it away, she used it as a base for these Almond Truffle Bites. Laurie + Mary Jane can be found at numerous dispensaries in Oregon.
Pueblo Vida Brewing + Botanica Parallels
If you really aren’t into consuming cannabis, but still want to toast your weed-loving friends, pour a cool glass of Tucson-based Pueblo Vida Brewing Co.’s Parallels Indiana Pale Ale. This IPA was brewed with citra, galaxy and mosaic hops for a particularly pungent “dank” aroma that smells a lot like weed. Fun fact: hops and hemp are in the same family — Cannabaceae. Parallels is the brewery’s collaboration with Botanica, an Arizona dispensary that has been in the game since 2013. The only catch here is you have to be in the Tucson area and visit the Pueblo Vida taproom located at 115 E. Broadway Blvd. in downtown Tucson. Taps are already open and visitors also have the option of purchasing a four pack of 16-ounce cans or a four-pack that comes with 3-D glasses.
Do you have a favorite non-smokable way to celebrate 420 with your friends? Share your faves in the comments!