By Kai Vere
The Guardian
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Islanders can celebrate 4-20 in high style this Friday.
Also known as “Weed Day,” April 20 is celebrated each year by cannabis lovers around the world.
The date and term 4-20 began when a group of teenagers in the 1970s used their daily meeting time as code for smoking marijuana.
Grow Daddy, a Stratford business that sells marijuana supplies, is holding a fundraising event Friday at the Charlottetown Firefighters Club, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds will go to Brave and Broken, which supports veterans who have been physically or mentally injured.
Dennis MacKenzie, the non-profit’s founder, began suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after he retired from his military career.
“I was a trainwreck … I was always just searching for some kind of happy,” he said.
“Cannabis calms me, so I’m able to find my happy.”
Related: Annual 4-20 pot protest still has point to make ahead of legalization: spokesman
A number of events will be held at the firefighters club, including Bingo Bongo, a chance to play bingo and win bongs, which starts at 4:20 p.m. and runs until 5:30 p.m.
A munchie menu from Sneaky Cheats, a local catering company, will be available 5:30-8:30 p.m.
That’s followed by the Stoner Movie Marathon, 6-10:30 p.m. First on the cult-favurite movie lineup is “Super Troopers,” followed by “Half Baked” and Cheech and Chong’s “Up in Smoke.” For more information, go to the Facebook event.
Meanwhile, Baba’s Lounge hosts the Mile High 420 dance party, featuring a range of electronic, house, dance and hip-hop music from Dekz, Stirfry, Komah and Ruby Booms.
Organizer and DJ Dexter Shea expects to draw a good crowd.
“It’s kind of like St. Paddy’s Day for a different group of people,” said Shea.
Cineplex is also showing “Super Troopers 2”, or those interested can pick up J Cole’s album, “ODK”, for a soundtrack for the day. Both are set for release April 20.