The 420 Expo cannabis convention is set to return to the Garden State this week at the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison with special guest host Cheech Marin.
THC products will not be sold at the 420 Expo. However, you may Bring Your Own Cannabis BYOC up to the legal limit of six ounces for personal use specified by the state of New Jersey.
He has his own line of legal cannabis products in four states called Cheech’s Stash. Marin has long been pushing for social equity for cannabis consumers.
“I am excited to be the guest of honor for this year’s 420 Expo and to celebrate legal marijuana in New Jersey,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be a heck of a party. I’m stoked to smoke and to be a part of it.”
The 420 Expo is expected to draw an even bigger crowd than last year’s 17,000-plus attendees. Attendees must be 21 plus.
Their New Jersey cannabis convention is very mass consumer-focused. The vast majority of other New Jersey cannabis conventions have been focused on professionals and businesspeople.
20K Plus Expected at New Jersey Expo Center
420 Expo, sponsored by Wakit Grinders, is a three-day celebration of the legal cannabis lifestyle. Visitors will enjoy a stigma-free vibe with live entertainment, celebrity appearances, cool vendors, and educational seminars inside the Expo Center. Outside, there will be a large outdoor smoking BYOC section and a wide variety of food trucks. It will ensure attendees can get in a great mood while eating great food.
There will also be glass blowing, a joint rolling contest, axe throwing, iconic cars from movies, product demonstrations, and gaming areas.
“Despite legalization of adult use recreational cannabis in New Jersey, there still isn’t enough tolerance,” said Dan Davis, co-founder of 420 Expo. “A primary goal of 420 Expo is to remove the stigma surrounding cannabis. It’s a bonus that we get to have a blast achieving that goal.”
The 420 Expo’s Entertainment Stage will feature live performances, interactive events, and more. Plus, there will be live music and DJs throughout the event. Over 100 vendors from the cannabis world and beyond are expected.
“We are honored to welcome the one-and-only cannabis legend Cheech Marin to our second annual 420 Expo. We invite all adults 21 and older, from the curious to connoisseurs, to come out and shine a light on the growing cannabis community,” said J. Handy, co-founder of 420 Expo. “We were blown away by the sheer number of attendees last year. So, we’re raising the bar even higher. This year, visitors can expect an even stronger lineup of live entertainment, seriously cool vendors, more celebrity guests, and a bunch more surprises.”
Cannabis Celebrities Holding Meet & Greets
Cheech Marin is headlining a long list of cannabis-friendly celebrities scheduled to appear. They will be available for photos, autographs, and meet and greets at the 420 Expo. Some will even be available for “Smoking Sessions” and other VIP experiences.
The celebrities include:
VIP Meet & Greets with the legendary Cheech Marin on Friday and Saturday.
Guest appearances by other cannabis-related celebrities, including Jason Gann (“Wilfred”), Jason London (Dazed and Confused), Jeremy London (Mallrats, “7th Heaven”), Nicholas Turturro (“NYPD Blue,” The Longest Yard, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry), Rachel True (Half Baked, The Craft), Shawna Waldron (Little Giants, The American President, “Ladies Man”), Keith Coogan (Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, Toy Soldiers). Professional wrestling legends The Sandman and Blue Meanie. Activist and champion racecar driver Randy Lanier and Troma Films characters “The Toxic Avenger” and “Sgt. Kabukiman,” among others.
Educational Seminars NJ Cannabis Experts
There will be many educational seminars and panels appealing to both casual and experienced cannabis enthusiasts.
Some of the notable speakers include cannabis activist and businessman Patrick Duff. He will be featured on panels discussing medical cannabis. In addition, Cannabis Advocate and Certified Peer Recovery Coach Jonathan Frank, AKA Dirty Dank, will be speaking on addiction recovery issues and cannabis consumption methods.
I will speak on a panel on Saturday at 6 p.m. about getting into the cannabis industry!
Expungement Clinics at Cannabis Convention
Legal experts will conduct the Expungement Clinics at the 420 Expo like attorney Andrew Cooper. They will share free information to support social justice.
“People with cannabis convictions often find it impossible to find jobs, housing, or college loans. They often lose their right to vote and the ability to receive public assistance,” Cooper explained. “Many employers won’t hire anyone with a drug conviction. Or they have policies requiring immediate termination if a past drug arrest is discovered, with or without a conviction. The issue is even more profound when you consider that a significant majority of those arrested for cannabis have been simple possession charges.”
“The so-called war on drugs has been particularly hard on minority and low-income communities. Studies show white, brown, and black people use cannabis equally. Black and Brown people were nearly four times as likely to be arrested for cannabis violations,” he added. “The individuals affected most are also least able to benefit due to a lack of access to information and support. The Expungement Clinics at 420 Expo are intended to provide meaningful access to information.”
Additional attorneys from the region will also be taking part in the clinics and offering legal advice during the event, including Michael Hoffman, John Williams, Tara Hopper, and others.
Social Justice at 420 Expo Cannabis Convention
“Now that recreational cannabis is finally legal in many states and making other strides toward acceptance, it’s so important to fight against social injustices,” Marin declared. “I can’t wait to be there to celebrate with fellow cannabis enthusiasts.”
“We are thrilled to bring this type of necessary social support to our three-day cannabis celebration,” said Davis. “Our Expungement Clinics will provide access to legitimate support that can help people take advantage of their legal rights and make huge steps in achieving their social justice.”
“Last year’s inaugural 420 Expo brought together 17,000 cannabis fans,” said Handy. “That gives us a huge opportunity to actively support social justice initiatives through our free Engagement Clinics.”
The 420 event Expo will be open:
Friday, September 29, 5 pm – 11pm (ribbon cutting by Cheech Marin).
Saturday, September 30, 12pm – 9pm.
Sunday, October 1, 12pm – 6pm.
(Full disclosure: this is an advertorial paid for to advertise the event.)