We came. We saw. We even conquered–at least if you count our victory in quelling a scorching case of the munchies. The 420 Expo is New Jersey’s premier celebration of legal cannabis culture, an event where enthusiasts come together for a weekend of unforgettable experiences, education, and entertainment. It’s the largest B.Y.O.C (Bring Your Own Cannabis) Convention in the state, and it takes place every September.
Edison, New Jersey is mostly known for having the most gray building per squarefoot, along with an uninspiring, but efficient commercial hub, but during the 420 Expo weekend, everything changes. Everything. The Convention Center morphs into a carnival of cannabis culture, brimming with live music, food trucks, interactive seminars, over 100 vendors, and energetic after-parties.
Event Highlights
The 420 Expo feels like an exclusive party just for enthusiasts tucked away from the prying eyes of the prudes and drug warrior doctrinaires. “If you know, you know,” as the song lyric goes. The vendor floor is packed with everything a self-respecting toker would need for a successful 420. The boys at Good Guy Vape and Smoke greet you with an amazing display of glass, and vape products such as the NWTN Home – Deco Gravity Bong, while Chaturbate offers an in-person lounge, along with a huge display with plenty of computers to learn about the product. No, it’s not awkward at all. In the back, you can find the “Room for Activities” (thankfully, not sponsored by Chaturbate) which hosts Puff and Paints by NJ Garden State of Mind, Craft & Chill experiences, and a video game station.
Cannabis Cup Awards
Just like the circus, this is a gathering for everyone. Unlike a Diddy party where you get an exclusive invite and an NDA to sign (and probably an affidavit ten years later), 420 Expo welcomes anyone with an open mind and a passion for the culture. This year, they celebrate the first 420 Expo Cannabis Cup Awards, which brings the legal market together in a beautiful and positive way. Most of the brands that compete have been on the scene for less than 12 months, which shows how quickly the legal scene is growing. (See Page 90 for more).
Vendor Showcase
The event is a great place to see what’s new, and hot on the market. Do you need glassware that flies off the shelf? They have that! Are you trying to find that new fire ingestible the people are demanding? They have that. What about THCa, Delta9, or CBD? They have that too. And once you hit some of that hot, sticky sweetness, satisfy your muchines with Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn or any of the food trucks hawking tasty treats of both the sweet and savory varieties, like Sweet Spot Donuts or Holy Que Smokehouse. Just try not to stain your t-shirt. But if you do, no worries; just grab some swag from 2 Many Blunts Clothing. If shit gets really out of hand, you can even score some socks from Sinister Footwear. Feeling fatigued? Pop on by the Quick Stop and meet Brian O’Halloran, from Clerks, for a special signing and celebrity smoke sesh. While you’re traversing the green terrain you’ll hear music everywhere from the live bands on the indoor stage, and outside with a DJ playing everything from Kid Cudi to Third Eye Blind. No matter your taste or style there’s something here for you to enjoy.
Cannabis Together
Now, I know that this has all been a lot to digest, ingest and inhale, but that’s what I love. Cannabis culture has become so much more than a Friday front porch smoke sesh, or a smoking circle in the basement. It feels like walking into Comic Con. Everyone’s there for the same reason, and that’s all that matters. Everyone is so inviting and wanting to connect. The entire atmosphere is about so much more than getting high; it’s about a mindset—maybe even an ethos. It feels like a safe, and fun place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the counterculture lifestyle. And if for some reason, you still can’t relax then maybe you need to ride down the inflatable slide until you’re ready to play with others.
More than just another outdoor smoke sesh, the 420 Expo is proof that the legal cannabis community is growing, and has a loving and vibrant group supporting it. Plans for next year’s 420 Expo are already in motion, with a date is set for September 12-14 2025. I personally can’t wait for another full three days of great vendors, live music, and legal weed at New Jersey’s largest outdoor stoner soiree.
Consider the Source
A Quick Chat 420 Expo Co-founder, Dan Davis
Were there any moments at this year’s 420 Expo that particularly stood out to you?
We were pleased to have some amazing moments at this year’s show. Definitely, the 420 Expo Cannabis Cup Awards on Saturday of the show was an amazing experience. Seeing the legal market come together like that was a major milestone for us. Also the “Room for Activities” with the Puff and Paints by NJ Garden State of Mind, and the Craft & Chill experiences, the video game stations and the mechanical bull were all great for entertaining the crowd. And, of course, the after parties this year were a blast.
Do you have a larger mission or goal for the event, either on a personal level or organizational level?
This year’s event took huge strides in achieving our goals in helping to bridge the gap between the show and the legal market and helping of course to remove the stigma that still surrounds cannabis usage in the world.
HQ Magazine is geared mostly towards head shop owners. Do you have any advice or comments for that community?
We know the marketplace is crowded and some things are in flux right now due to recent legislation, but we think that once the dust settles and smoke clears, the legal market will have lots of room and opportunities for smoke shops to achieve their success.
Were there any behind-the-scenes contributors who deserve special recognition, or anyone you’d like to thank?
Our staff is always amazing. People don’t understand the work that goes into planning and producing an expo of this size, and I feel we have the best team in the biz. Special thanks also to Bobby and Bailey Nuggz of High End Events, whom we produced the Cannabis Cup with. And, also our attorney, Andrew Cooper of Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman for all his behind the scenes work. Also, we were lucky enough to make some new friends with this year’s show—Big Dave and Jeffrey from Honeygrove, Alisson for NJ Leaf, Tara and Michael from Bada Bloom, Rui from NJ Garden State of Mind, Josh from Cannademix, Basit from Aladdin Smoke Shop, Mishi from Good Guy Vapes, just to name a few
Are there any exciting plans or hopes for next year’s 420 Expo?
We are still recovering! Just kidding. Our dates scheduled for next year are September 12-14, 2025. We hope to continue the path we’re on and make it even bigger and better, including expanding the 420 Expo Cannabis Cup and maybe some other surprises along the way.
What are the best ways that people can be involved in next year’s 420 Expo, whether as a vendor or an attendee?
We’re always looking for vendors. They can email sales@3xevents.com. Attendees, go on our website and register to receive emails at www.420 Expo.com and follow us on social media @the420Expos for the latest updates on the show.
