Thursday 4/14
Cannabis College
Get yourself schooled in a new pot topicโfrom hydroponics and medical marijuana law to hash-making and growing tipsโevery Thursday at the Cannabis Resource Center. Tonight’s topic: cloning, with attendees instructed to bring their “favorite genetics.” (Among the requested strains: Chem Dog, Chernobyl, and Purple Urkel.) (Cannabis Resource Center, 1714 First Ave S, www.cdc.coop, 7โ9 pm, $20 general/$10 members [patients and providers], new classes most Thursday evenings)
Saturday 4/16
Cannabis Farmers Market Tacoma
To help residents properly prepare for 4/20, Tacoma hosts a special Saturday Cannabis Farmers Market. (Sacred Plant Medicine and Cannabis Farmers Markets Home Office, 1912 Center St, Tacoma, 11 amโ6 pm)
Sunday 4/17
Cannabis Farmers Market Seattle
Same as previous, only in Seattle. (
OmCulture, 2210 N Pacific St, 11 amโ5 pm)
Wednesday 4/20
420 Cup
At this competitive fantasia, Washington State’s best medical cannabis will be sampled and judged by anyone authorized under state law and willing to buy a $100 ticket. Among the delights: door prizes, food vendors, and a “50 Bong Hit Raffle.” (Location TBA, with address disclosed to ticket buyers, www.brownpapertickets.com, 4โ7 pm, $100 judges pass)
Friday 4/22
Animation at SIFF Cinema
Two programs designed for pothead cinephiles: at 7 pm, a family-friendly collection of shorts created by mighty Pixar. At 9 pm, Return of the Animated: The Best of SIFF Animation for Adults, gathering the best animated fare to screen at the Seattle International Film Festival over the past few years. (SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St, www.siff.net, 7 and 9 pm, each program $5โ$10)
Sunday 4/24
Seattle Pug Meetup
You know what’s more fun than getting high and watching hundreds of pugs? Nothing. (Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, noon)
Thursday 4/28
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 these facts tonight by Dining Out for Life, in which more than 150 restaurants donate a portion of their daily sales to the fight against HIV and AIDS in the Puget Sound region. (For full info and participating restaurants, see www.diningoutfor
life.com/seattle)
Monday 5/2
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. (Cannabis Resource Center, 1714 First Ave S, 7 pm, open to the public)
Saturday 5/14
Cannabis Freedom March 2011
A rally and march from Volunteer Park to Westlake Center, with live music, speakers, and “activism in motion.” (Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, 11 am)
SatโSun 5/14โ15
Seattle Cheese Festival
Oh hell yeah. Potheads love cheese like Arabs hate Jewsโforever, and in quick, violent bursts. Gorge yourself on samples from around the world. (
Pike Place Market, First Ave and Pike St, www.seattlecheesefestival.com,
Sat 10 amโ5 pm, Sun 10 amโ
4 pm, free)
Sunday 5/15
Cannabis Farmers Market Seattle
Will this May be sweet and warm or gray and bitchy? Either way, you need grass. (OmCulture, 2210 N Pacific St, 11 amโ5 pm)
Sunday 5/22
Cannabis Farmers Market Seattle
So. Much. Pot. (OmCulture, 2210 N Pacific St, 11 amโ5 pm)
Friday 6/3
CCFA Night at Safeco Field
Medical marijuana continues to make a humongous difference in the quality of life of people living with Crohn’s disease and colitis. A portion of each ticket for tonight’s game at Safeco Fieldโfeaturing the Mariners against the Tampa Bay Rays and a national anthem sung by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCreadyโwill support the Northwest chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. (
Safeco Field, 1250 First Ave S, www.mariners
.com, 7 pm, $20โ$40)
Sunday 6/12
Cannabis Farmers Market Seattle
Been yet? (OmCulture, 2210
N Pacific St, 11 amโ5 pm)
Saturday 6/25
Tacoma Hempfest
Warm up for Seattle Hempfestโor just enjoy a Hempfest that doesn’t inspire patchouli-scented claustrophobiaโtoday in Tacoma. On the bill: bands, vendors, good vibes. (Wright Park, 501 South I St, Tacoma, 10 amโ9 pm, free)
Sunday 6/26Cannabis Farmers Market Seattle
More! (OmCulture, 2210
N Pacific St, 11 amโ5 pm)
FriโSun 8/19โ21
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 W, www
.hempfest.org, Fri noonโ8 pm, SatโSun 10 amโ8 pm, free)
Thursday 11/24
Thanksgiving
Celebrate your heritage and give thanks for your good fortune by gorging on whatever the fuck you want. Your country demands it.
Sunday 12/25
Eggnog Bong
Celebrate the birth of our lord and savior by replacing your bong water with perfectly chilled eggnog. Smooth and delicious! (Though adding nutmeg will cause larger-than-normal coughing fits.)
* * *
Contrary to potheadular belief, not everything should be done while high on marijuana, including but not limited to babysitting, performing surgery, driving, shopping at Costco, gambling, visiting an animal shelter, joining the military, or playing a practical joke on a police officer.

Wednesday, April 27
Lecture: Steph Sherer on raid preparedness
In 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memo ordering an end to federal raids of medical marijuana dispensaries. Despite that order, federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents have continued these operations, and they’re not just in California anymore. Scores of dispensaries and homes were raided in Montana in March. U.S. Attorney Mike Ormsby sent threatening letters to Washington State property owners in early April.
The DEA, regional task forces, and local law enforcement agencies continue to raid medical cannabis patients and providers, even if their conduct is legal under state law. Medical cannabis dispensary operators and staff need to prepare themselves, both mentally and operationally, for a raid until federal law is harmonized with Washington law and state law is fully implemented. Preparing for a raid does not have to be an exercise in paranoia. In fact, knowing that you are as prepared as you can be may ease anxiety.
Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access, will join us for a talk about such preparedness.
(Cannabis Resource Center, 1714 First Ave S, cdc.coop/lecture, FREE, 7pm, open to the public)
I have never seen so many lame attempts at humor fail so miserably.
I for one welcome the lack of sardonic condescension expressed in this article, a refreshing change from the normal tone of The Stranger. The CDC cannabis college and lectures are always interesting and informative. Thanks for bringing some positive attention to this topic.