April 2oth has become an entire weekend long celebration for the Cannabis connoisseur in Colorado. Wondering what to do on 4/20 in Denver? 303 Magazine has you covered with our local cannabis tips including dispensaries to visit, events to attend, and places to stay for the historic weekend! Put this list in your pipe and smoke it.

Denver is the only place in the United States with a concrete, legal, recreational marijuana law. This means more tourists than ever will come indulge in the smoker-friendly events for 4/20. If this infamous day in April is Christmas for stoners, then Denver is the North Pole. The whole country is watching as Colorado sets the example for marijuana legalization. Let’s show the world what a positive, safe, and seamless legalization looks like.

The Green Rush 2014, photo by Lindsey Bartlett

The Green Rush 2014, photo by Lindsey Bartlett

Where to Smoke

There are gray areas when it comes to the current laws in Colorado. Consumers are not allowed to smoke in medical nor recreational dispensaries, meaning there is no coffee house concept yet (like that in Amsterdam). Plus, those who do partake in the festivities cannot smoke in public. While public smoking is prohibited, the state penalty is considered a petty offense of $100 fine or up to 15 days in jail. This excludes the airport and any federal property, which is a much more severe penalty. Read up on all the laws here. Don’t live in fear of a public smoking ticket in Denver because it is still one of the lowest possible priorities. Most Coloradoans who smoke are polite to those around them. Do as the natives do and be discrete.

4/20 has been, historically in Colorado, the only exception to this public smoking law. As for the past years, Coloradoans have gathered in huge numbers to support the legalization of marijuana. Some of the largest of these rallies include Civic Center Park and on Colorado University’s campus in Boulder. Many years have boasted zero arrests even when the drug was illegal. The festivals are known for being peaceful (not including a scare last year at Civic Center Park). But the celebration continues as nothing can stop 4/20. Enjoy the anonymity of the crowds at these amazing festivals.

4/20 Rally

Photo courtesy of 420 Rally Official Website

Photo courtesy of 420 Rally Official Website

The largest rally ever recorded, and perhaps the most historic, the 4/20 Rally at Civic Center Park has become a popular tradition. This year admission is free and there is an amazing show featuring tons of talent, right in the center of the states Capitol. Attendees can enjoy music by Wyclef Jean, B.O.B., The Expendables, Zion I, Pries, Peplove, and many more! Join the celebration and find out more about the event here.

Mile High Festibowl

The Mile High Festibowl has more artists than any other. It spans the three-day weekend from Friday April 18th- Sunday April 20th. The Festibowl is also free and happens at four different venues over the course of the weekend. It is the most underground, least chaotic, and most hipster place to be. Check out the Festibowl on Facebook for a full lineup for music, visual artists, and event times. This festival is run off donations, by volunteers, so the website asks to bring a $5-$10+ donation to keep the touring bands on the road and this festival happening! Here are the four venues that make up the 2014 Festibowl:

El Charrito – 2100 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205

Armoury – 2048 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Bar*Bar – 2060 Champa St, Denver, CO 80205

7th Circle Music Collective – 2935 W. 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80204

High Times Cannabis Cup

Cannabis Cup 2013 gallery at Exdo Event Center

Cannabis Cup 2013 gallery at Exdo Event Center

The High Times Cannabis Cup will take place in Denver for it’s fourth year in the state, it’s first year at Denver Mart. Admission for the entire two-day event is 75$, and a single day pass is 40$. You can buy tickets here. Doors open at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday. It is the second year that the doors are open to all above the age of 21, as in accordance with our recreational marijuana laws. This is also the first year where attendees can smoke on premises. You can even vote for the vendor/dispensary that had the best cannabis to win the People’s Cup as a part of the Freedom Trail! Talk about a once in a lifetime event. Come try out all of the High Times cannabis cup strains and see who the winners will be this year. Probably the best weed you’ve had in your life.

Other awesome events to attend:

Daze on the Green with McLovin’ and Too Short April 18th-20th

Snoop Dogg’s Wellness Retreat with Wiz Khalifa at Red Rocks April 20th

City Hall’s Marijuana Trade Show Kick Off on Wednesday April 16th

Where to Shop

There are still only a handful of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city. Some have better quality than others, with prices becoming more and more competitive. The most comprehensive resource is WeedMaps.com where you should look for the title of Adult Use dispensaries. Listed below is my top pick and local favorite recreational dispensary MMJ America, plus three more amazing shops worth experiencing for yourself.

MMJ America in LoDo- 2042 Arapahoe Street

MMJ America Recreational Dispensary, photo by Lindsey Bartlett

MMJ America Recreational Dispensary, photo by Lindsey Bartlett

This Lower Downtown recreational and medical dispensary is the bomb. Right off 21st and Arapahoe, MMJ America puts you close to all the other amazing events in town for the weekend. Plus, they have impeccable customer service. The staff gets rave reviews on WeedMaps and Google+. Welcome to the days where the bud tender treats you with respect. They are honest, helpful in answering all questions, and create an overall outstanding customer experience. The only thing better than the welcoming atmosphere is the quality of the bud. Ask for cannabis cup winning strains Larry OG, Pink Lady, or Lemon Skunk. Strains sell out fast and will always vary, yet be sure to look for one called Peaches and Cream. This is MMJ America’s Cannabis Cup Peoples Choice nominee and part of the Freedom Trail of recreational dispensaries to try before the cup.

Other recreational shops that get 303 Magazine‘s thumbs up:

3D Cannabis Center- 4305 Brighton Blvd. Denver, CO

Altitude the Dispensary West- 1568 S Federal Blvd. Denver, CO

Fresh Baked Dispensary- 2539 Pearl Street Boulder, CO

Where to Stay

There are few hotels that cater to the smoker-friendly crowd. Yet with the current marijuana laws, it is only a matter of time before you see hotels that cater to the legalization with smoking rooms, smoking floors, and coffee-house concepts. Until then, there only a few spots in Denver and surrounding areas that explicitly say it is legal to smoke marijuana with some restrictions.

Cliff House Lodge
121 Stone St
Morrison, CO 80465
Phone: (303) 697-9732
marijuana smoking in rooms and outside OK

Adagio Bed & Breakfast
1430 Race St
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (800) 533-4640
outside smoking area only

Arrowhead Manor Inn & Event Center
9284 US Hwy 285
Morrison, CO 80465
Phone: 303-738-8454
420 friendly, outside smoking OK. Some rooms have balconies and there are common area decks

Besides hotels, I would recommend renting out a condo online at a website such as Airbnb.com. Here is just one listing that tells the renter it is okay to smoke in the space:

Downtown loft right on the Mall
Stout Street and 16th St.
Denver, CO 80202
Incredible downtown loft right on 16th Street Mall. 420 friendly. Walking distance to all restaurants and convention center.

Cannabis Cup 2013 gallery from Exdo Event Center

Cannabis Cup 2013 gallery from Exdo Event Center

Remember to designate a sober ride home and have a safe 4/20! Look for more coverage from the cannabis filled weekend on Instagram!