Can you believe it's already that time again? Today marks 4/20 in the year 2021, almost twelve months since the majority of Canada went into a COVID-induced lockdown. Needless to say, things are different this year even as many of us get vaccinated. Is it still possible to celebrate 4/20? Probably not like we used to…but now's the time to get creative while staying safe.
Free Joints for Vaccinations
Cannabis advocates across Canada have been finding creative ways to mark the occasion. In keeping with the vaccination drive, some cannabis supporters have been handing out free joints to adults who can prove they've received their COVID-19 vaccine — whether that's Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or the Johnson & Johnson single-dose. Be sure to bring your provincial vaccination record as proof. Under the Cannabis Act, recreational cannabis has been legal across Canada since October 2018, so toking up to celebrate your vaccination is perfectly within the law.
Speaking of free stuff, some Canadian cannabis retailers have been going all out for 4/20 with oversized giveaways at their storefronts. We're talking joints that are reportedly 10 times larger than a standard one — more than enough to get you and a friend thoroughly sorted, all for free.
Fill Up on These Food Deals
With good weed comes good food. You can't celebrate 4/20 without one of these delicious food deals — and even better, you can get some delivered straight to your door if you haven't been vaccinated yet. Many delivery apps and restaurants have been rolling out special 4/20 promotions, offering discounts and deals for those celebrating at home. Check your favourite delivery platform for promo codes that can knock dollars off orders of $20 or more. The following restaurants also have 4/20 deals at participating Canadian locations:
- Insomnia Cookies
- Ike's Love & Sandwiches
- Sweet'N Low
- Quiznos
- Blaze Pizza
Don't Count on Any Massive Festivals
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but if you were looking forward to any of Canada's beloved annual 4/20 festivals — like the long-running gathering at Sunset Beach in Vancouver — you might want to come up with other plans. Large-scale 4/20 events were once again cancelled this year due to COVID restrictions across most provinces.
"Although we're in a better place in our fight against COVID-19 than we were last year, we are still not at the point where we can allow large, crowded events," public health officials across various Canadian provinces noted. "Please do your part to keep our community safe and celebrate from home. Anyone travelling to public parks looking for a large 4/20 party will be disappointed."
Invest in Stocks From Your Couch
While it may sound unconventional for a 4/20 celebration, it certainly may benefit your wallet in the long run. Canadian cannabis stocks are soaring right now for a number of reasons. Yes, partly due to 4/20, but also because cannabis has been federally legal across Canada since 2018 under the Cannabis Act, and the legal market continues to mature and expand. Licensed producers listed on the TSX and TSX-V have been attracting increased investor attention as the industry grows.
Canadian lawmakers and cannabis advocates continue to push for improvements to the regulatory framework to help the legal market outcompete the grey market, which would further boost the Canadian cannabis economy. Many believe that further policy refinements will drive growth in the sector, which took on added significance as the Canadian economy navigated the challenges of the pandemic.
Are You Celebrating 4/20 This Year?
Okay, that's enough blabbing from us. What about you? How are you celebrating 4/20 this year? Does it look different from last year's festivities? The best thing we can do for a semi-normal 2022 celebration is to keep on pace with vaccinations, social distancing, and wearing our masks.