The Best Cannabis Festivals in the U.S.

By: Jake Tessler

Over the past two decades, cannabis usage has become much more mainstream as states continue to legalize it.

With this, cannabis festivals have become a great way to not only celebrate the culture surrounding this plant, but to learn much more information about it.

These festivals allow opportunities for home growers/users, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and people from all facets of life to come together to help create change.

There is a broad range of activities to do at these celebrations and depending on where you go in the country, each one adds its own local flare.

Best cannabis festivals in the U.S.A

National Cannabis Festival (DC)

General admission for this event is $50. The week of the festival is paired with the National Cannabis Policy Summit.

This Summit focuses on gathering a diverse group of advocates, healthcare workers, and leaders from the business and government sectors.

It is a great opportunity for anyone looking to help spread the positive benefits of cannabis usage in the nation’s capital.

There are many different levels of the experience that are available to the public.

For example, VIPs receive a box with many different cannabis related items (papers, pen/charger, grinder), special access to BBQs, free shirts, and luxurious lounges.

For marijuana-enthused entrepreneurs, they can visit the Cannatank, certainly a friendlier place than the Shark Tank.

It is a platform to pitch their cannabis related business and can be a fantastic place for growth and networking.

This festival truly has something for everyone. There are concerts, a flea market of innovative marijuana products, and exciting pavilions.

They offer education on growing marijuana, the physical wellness it can lead to through yoga and meditation, and celebrating the weed culture that is undeniable in this country despite it not being federally legalized.

The festival is LGBTQ-friendly and places an emphasis on social justice and civil rights, allowing speakers to discuss their marijuana criminalization stories.

Mile High 420 Festival (Denver)

This festival, in Denver’s Civic Center Park, is completely free, something every stoner can get behind.

It features famous artists like Lil John and celebrates local Colorado musicians.

As the first state to legalize marijuana, Colorado shares a deep history with cannabis and uses 4/20 to not only celebrate with users across the country, but also the state’s culture.

There are food trucks and beer gardens to help feed the 50,000+ people that attend the event every year.

It can also be a great opportunity for businesses as there are applications you can fill out to become one of the sponsors of the event.

Nothing compares to fighting the stigma of marijuana and celebrating it in the Mile High City.

The main tradition of the event occurs at 4:20pm when thousands of people spark up together.

Seattle Hempfest

It started as a grassroots movement in Seattle in 1991 and consisted of a small gathering of cannabis users to try to advocate for awareness of the plant’s positive effects.

It eventually grew into the biggest cannabis gathering in the world. It was called a “protestival” to highlight the ultimate goal of this event.

While people come to smoke, eat food, socialize, and listen to live music/speakers, it is an effective way to create change in this community.

Not only has it had a political impact in helping unjust incarcerations for marijuana related charges and creating reform, but the Hempfest has been tremendous for their local economy.

According to its website, it helped raise over $7M for King County, Seattle. It allows local food and art venues to prosper and is an opportunity for cannabis companies in America to be a contributing sponsor.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hempfest will be virtual this year (in August) in continuing their quest to educate the public about the plant and how to navigate the current political and business climates surrounding it.

Great Alaskan Cannabis Bowl

This annual event takes place at the end of July and is used to celebrate the industry and Alaskan culture.

The venue is Settlers Bay Golf Course and requires tickets to be admitted.

There is a musical festival that takes place throughout the day and then at night there is a Cannabis Awards show.

There are around 20 awards given out over 7 different categories, focusing on its local Alaskan flavor.

Besides the music concerts there is a famous downhill Slip n Slide, mud tug of war, boxing matches, and a cornhole tournament.

As seen in other festivals, there is also a beer garden and food trucks. Furthermore, with additional purchases there is an exclusive VIP lounge with bonus amenities.

Finally, this event is not exclusive to cannabis businesses and encourages small business owners of all kinds to join the movement.

Hippie Hill

This is a free event that takes place on “Hippie Hill” in San Francisco. Like many of these other festivals, it is a great opportunity to help de-stigmatize cannabis usage and celebrate with the community.

There is a large music component and even with the current pandemic canceling the event this year, performers like Wiz Khalifa and Billy Ray Cyrus will be involved virtually.

The event also hosts comedians, motivational speakers, and interactive games like the trivia event “Great Moments in Weed History.”

They have a “Munchie Land” for, well, the munchies, and feature many great local vendors.

With around 15,000 other attendees there is a notable “bud drop” where everyone waits for the countdown to 4:20 to smoke together.

Hippie Hill has existed since the 60s and in more recent years, has evolved into a budding celebration that increases every year.

Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival

This festival takes place in Kutztown, PA and hosts over 150 vendors, live music, and food.

There are also many cannabis speakers and discussions about the political and social impacts of the drug.

Besides just being for enjoyment, it has become an important tool in advocacy work.

The biggest sponsor for this year’s event, Best Damn Buds is “dedicated to connecting people with the information and resources to learn about hemp, drug harm reduction, news, petitions regarding legislation about criminal justice reforms to end failed the drug war… Because no one should be in prison for plants, of any kind…,” courtesy of the festival’s website.

The festival’s leaders emphasized that regulated adult use of cannabis will generate $680 million per year, aiding their cause in legalizing the plant.

It is a great opportunity to learn more about the industry and have a great time.

The most significant feature of this festival, in contrast to many others, is that it is pet-friendly!

Finally a festival that anyone can enjoy with their dog… or cat.

Overall, many of these festivals have key shared themes.

They are designed to bring thousands of people together over a common interest and from that, they use people’s passion to enact change, stimulate business, and celebrate a culture that has been ignored for too long.

If any of these things interests you, make sure to check out these events.

Jake Tessler is a writer who focuses on cannabis lifestyle and culture.