Northwest Cannabis Market
The cool new kid on the medical-marijuana block, the Northwest Cannabis Market is located in White Center (making it Seattle's only regular cannabis farmers market) and is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (making it the most accessible cannabis farmers market ever). Featuring the harvests—smokable, edible, what-have-you—of dozens of local farmers and vendors, the NWCM is free and open to all legal Washington State medical-marijuana patients. (If you find yourself in White Center with the munchies, proceed immediately to Proletariat Pizza, after which you should proceed immediately to Full Tilt Ice Cream, then jog home.) (Northwest Cannabis Market, 9640 16th Ave SW, 360-420-4303, 11 am–7 pm Wed, Sat, and Sun)
Seattle Cannabis EXPO
This daylong medical-marijuana extravaganza features some of Seattle's best vendors of edibles, topicals, and concentrates offering their wares for half price! Get verified at the Medicine Jar before Sunday for faster entry and to receive a free joint. (The Medicine Jar, 10326 Aurora Ave N, 462-1008, noon–6 pm, 18+)
Cannabis Farmers Market Tacoma
In addition to show-offy bud, Cannabis Farmers Market also features free samples, a patient lounge, and a DJ spinning wellness-enhancing tunes. (Fair warning to people with short-term-memory loss and a fondness for things that cause short-term-memory loss: This is the final Tacoma pot market before 4/20.) (Cannabis Farmers Markets/Sacred Plant Medicine Offices, 1912 Center St, Tacoma, www.cannabisfarmersmarkets.com, 11 am–5 pm first and third Sundays)
Aroma of Tacoma Cup
Celebrate the high holy day of 4/20 with this competitive expo of the Northwest's finest medical-marijuana products, in which categories such as Best Edibles, Best Topicals, and Best Dry Medicine Hash (Bubble or Oil) will be judged. VIP judges' passes are $200 and include extra samples, gifts, and access to the VIP room and hash bar. Guest passes are $25 and include plenty o' samples, but no judging or VIP powers. (The Conquering Lion, 5412 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-761-7806, 7 pm–midnight, $25–$200)
The Dope Cup
Ten of the Northwest's top strains battle it out for the coveted "Best Cannabis" award, as determined by a panel of industry leaders and personalities. (Also, the first 250 guests to arrive will receive judging powers that allow them to sample all 10 of the finalist strains and vote for a "people's choice" winner.) Other delights: a beer/cocktail bar, an edible tasting bar, a vape lounge, and an outdoor smoking roof deck, plus DJ sets from DJ Soul One and DJ Four Color Zach. Up-to-date state patient paperwork with matching valid ID required for entry. (Within Sodo, 2916 Utah Ave S, www.dopemagazineonline.com, 8 pm, $30, 21+)
Dining Out for Life
Fact 1: Medical marijuana makes an incalculable difference in the lives of many people living with HIV/AIDS. Fact 2: Stoners love to eat. Celebrate both of these facts by Dining Out for Life. Today, more than 150 restaurants donate a portion of their daily sales to the fight against illness and hunger in those with HIV and AIDS. Check out the list of participating restaurants, find a place you've been dying to try or revisit, and take yourself out for a glorious meal for a great cause. See participating restaurants at www.diningoutforlife.com/seattle.
Cannabis Defense Coalition Public Session
The Cannabis Defense Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization devoted to reducing the harms associated with drug use and advocating sensible, science-based drug policy. Join the discussion the first Monday of every month. (Sodo Pop, 2424 First Ave S, 7 pm)
Cannabis Freedom March
The 2012 Cannabis Freedom March commences with a rally in Volunteer Park featuring live music and speeches, after which it will proceed down to Westlake Center for more live music and speeches. (Rally at Volunteer Park (1247 15th Ave E) starts at 11 am, march to Westlake starts at 1 pm, Westlake rally continues till 5 pm)
Seattle Cheese Festival
Oh, hell yeah. Gorge yourself on samples from around the world. (Pike Place Market; First Ave and Pike St; Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun 10 am–4 pm)
Prometheus
Ridley Scott—creator of Blade Runner, one of the greatest stoner sci-fi sagas in history—returns to sci-fi with this thriller set in the year 2085, as the crew of the spaceship Prometheus explores an advanced alien civilization. Dude. (Cinerama, 2100 Fourth Ave, www.cinerama.com)
Seattle Hempfest
Three full days of bands, crowds, food, and the smell of burning rope. (Bonus if we're lucky: That sweet hippie who stands in the same place every year selling mushroom fudge.) (Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way, www.hempfest.org, $10 suggested donation)
