by Dan Ketchum
You’ve heard of — and hopefully already celebrated — 420, but have you heard of 710? According to cannabis lobbyist and High Times and Hemp Magazine writer Mitchell Colbert, in 2010, cannabis connoisseurs noticed that the number looks a lot like “OIL” when flipped upside down, but it was pipe accessory maker Task Rok who first set the term in stone as a new time of day to smoke. Task himself tells Colbert at The Leaf Online, “I don’t want to try to own it, though. It belongs to the community now.”
As a cannabis connoisseur, you are that community, and it’s only polite to accept Task’s gift with open arms. Honor the growing 710 Day tradition with these seven bona fide ways to celebrate — they’re all perfect 10s in our book.
1. Host a Pairing Party
We’d like to think that the spirit of 710 Day is sharing good times with friends, and what better way to partake than with a little food and drink? Herb sommelier, and author of “The Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol,” Jamie Evans recommends perfecting your pairings with aromas that satisfyingly mingle with specific terpenes. Try serving citrusy strains like those you’ll find in Over the Rainbow with seared scallops and chardonnay, or dish up piney terpenes with pesto and pinot gris. Need a few more ideas? Check out our guides to the perfect snacks to pair with sativa strains and the best elevated munchies.
2. Take an Urban Hike
We highly encourage hikes on 420 (or on just about any day of the year the weather permits, honestly), but if the OG cannabis holiday is synonymous with hitting the trail with a pre-roll, it just feels right that its oil-based update embraces the sensory journey of an urban hike. Keep the mind and body in balance with a Phantom triple strain vape – all it takes is one harmonious draw of this CBD-THC blend (40-60 percent THC, 25-40 percent CBD, to be exact). If you’re on the West Coast, stroll LA’s Arroyo Seco from the LA River in Highland Park up to Pasadena (or stroll through one of LA’s many picnic-friendly parks), or spend the evening hiking along San Francisco’s picturesque Crosstown Trail.
3. Play an ARG
If you prefer to gamify your urban hike in a 710-friendly way, try your hand at an ARG (alternate reality game). These long-form, massively multiplayer games combine websites, social media, geocaching and sometimes even live actors to plant mind-bending clues and unfold truly communal narratives across real-world spaces, often educating players about equally real-world issues along the way. Check out the “Now Playing” section of ARGNet to jump in on an ongoing one near you.
4. Get a Mani-Pedi
Like a good hit, 710 Day is also all about treating yourself well. Start with a relaxing Houdini Indica Blend to loosen up, then treat yourself (and your friends, too) to a full-blown mani-pedi. In addition to pampering yourself, it’s a great form of both self-care and basic health care that often goes neglected, especially among men. As GQ puts it, “Of course men get pedicures — but not enough of them do.”
5. Throw Yourself Into Volunteering
Cannabis connects us with nature just as the sea connects us to our ancient origins. With that in mind, there are few better ways to celebrate 710 Day than getting out under the sun and caring for your local shoreline. Organize, coordinate, hydrate and follow the National Environmental Education Foundation’s guide to get started.
6. Groove to 710’s Roots
A dance party with your closest friends and loved ones — starting with an inaugural toke at 7:10 p.m. on the night of July 10th, of course — is certainly 710 friendly enough. But to go the extra mile, track down the 2011 album “The Movement,” created by DJ Linus Stubbs and 710 Day godfather Task Rok himself and featuring anthems like “7:10” and “Boil That Oil.” Choose an uplifting Over the Rainbow pen to put Electric Lemonade, Super Silver Haze and Sweet Tangie on your punch card.
7. Catch a Surprise Flight
Cannabis enthusiasts know that it’s not just about the leaf: It’s about the lifestyle. Oftentimes, the soul of that lifestyle is spontaneous, dedicated to living life wholly in the moment. If you know you’ve got some downtime coming up and feel like living life off the cuff, spend that 710 Day evening booking yourself a future adventure – you can often snag one-way flights to surprise destinations for under $50. Why not celebrate 710 by celebrating all the little surprises life throws your way?
Dan Ketchum is an LA-based freelance lifestyle, fashion, health and food writer with more than a decade of experience. He’s been fortunate enough to collaborate and publish with companies such as FOCL, Vitagenne, Livestrong, Reign Together, Out East Rosé, SFGate, the Seattle Times and more.
References:
The Leaf Online – The Real Story Behind the Founding of 710
The Herb Somm – Terpene and Aroma Pairing Guide
GQ – Pedicures for Men: Everything You Need To Know
Food & Wine – 7 Urban Hikes That Will Give You Some Peace and Quiet in Los Angeles
San Francisco Travel Association – Hike Along San Francisco’s Crosstown Trail
University of Chicago News – Podcasts: Big Brains: How Alternate Reality Games Are Changing the Real World With Patrick Jagoda and Kristen Schilt (Ep. 59)
ARGNet – Now Playing
National Environmental Education Foundation – Tips for Organizing a Beach Clean-Up
Travelocity – Cheap Surprise Flights as Low as $29