Smoke out
420 was definitely not canceled in San Francisco
Hippie Hill was still thick with the smoke of countless joints despite organizers snuffing out the official festivities.
Reported by Denise Cottin with words by Saul Sugarman. Photos by Darryl Pelletier and Cottin.
The air on Hippie Hill was still thick with the smoke of countless joints, the sound of drums and laughter on 4/20 — even though we were told the party was over.
Organizers announced in late March that San Francisco’s official “puff, puff pass” event must end due to budget constraints; Apparently the festivities cost half a million to put on each year, and like so many other budgetary narratives we’ve heard recently, they could not find the funds. San Francisco turned it out anyway:
As we approached the hill, the smell of grilled food mingled with the faint scent of cannabis, creating a unique blend that felt like home. The usual crowd still gathered, enjoying the sunny day and each other’s company.
“It’s much better this year,” said Kate, a San Francisco resident with a priest, Dan, who added, “Yeah. Not having all the big sponsorship, the lines to get in — this seems back to normal.”
Nearby, Bay Area residents Tamika and Jasmin giggled and shared a joint. “We usually come here for 420,” she said. “We just came by just to hang out anyway. It’s fun to watch all of these dances and volleyball.”
Volleyball was the official replacement by organizers, given Hippie Hill’s proximity to a gallery field for the game. But of course we also spotted juggling, bag toss, flagging, painting, unicycling, and all manner of dancing and happy vibes.
The buzzy shroom church handed out water, but then helped people get high, too.
“We’re around giving joints but also hydrating people,” said John, a Bay Area resident wearing a “Stoner Safety” shirt. He added they carried Narcan for anyone partying too hard.
How did he feel about 420 officially being canceled?
“I honestly don’t understand what happened,” John said. “I don’t really know why the city didn’t officially endorse it.”
While the atmosphere may have been different this year, the spirit of 4/20 in San Francisco was still very much alive. As the sun began to set behind the city skyline, it was clear that for many, Hippie Hill was more than just a location — it was a a place where differences were set aside in favor of shared experiences. And perhaps, in these divisive times, that was the highest form of celebration there could be.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic. Denise Cottin is a San Francisco-based photographer and contributor to TBI. Darryl Pelletier is a Bay Area-based photographer.
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