A Newcomer Takes in LA on Lock's Underground 420 Fest
Let’s start with a confession. This article is being written by a cannabis neophyte. But who better, to truly relay the experience of an Underground 420 Fest than someone experiencing it for the first time?
Sure, we could share the take of a Snoop Dogg level smoker, but those that relate on that level, already know what it’s like to experience one of these sesh type events. On the other hand, a new user like myself, is still walking the path of discovery while learning about the culture, the strains, the very terminology and landscape of California’s complex marijuana landscape.
For me the experience wasn’t Mary Janes last dance, but more like a second date with her and her magical pain killing aura. Apologies to Tm Petty for what I did there.
I’ve been reviewing music and writing the occasional article for LA on Lock for several years, but of course the world was locked down in Covid times for most of that so this was my first opportunity to take part in LA on Lock’s annual 420 event.
Travis Erwin at his first Underground 420 Fest
I told myself I was going more for the music than the weed, but from Snoop to Petty to Willie Nelson and a whole host of other talented artists across multiple genres, cannabis is as key to the creation of music as a steady beat and a tasty lyrical phrase. Despite my decade long efforts, my guitar skills are about as strong as my puff puff pass game so for the most part I’ve been an observer and listener rather than a creator and partaker.
Time for another confession. Despite the fact I stand six-foot five and weigh two-fifty I can’t inhale. I can, but I shouldn’t because I hack and cough and basically ruin the good effects with by coughing up both lungs and my pancreas. I’ve dabbled with edibles, vapes, and THC-infused drinks but my go to ingestion method is tinctures. Just laying it out there I have experienced some of my best sex and best sleep (not at the same time but occasionally the former does precede the latter) while using tinctures. I dose myself every night and doing so has been life changing for me as I’ve struggled with insomnia all my life until I discovered the magic of THC tinctures formulated for sleep.
That is the background and mindset I took into the 2023 version of LA on Lock’s Underground 420 Fest.
When I arrived, a handful of eager festival goers stood by, waiting for the doors to open. I joined them and enjoyed a variety of conversations with the diverse crowd lined up to get in. I chatted with perky twenty-somethings, guys in their sixties that I’m pretty sure spent some of their formative years touring with the Grateful Dead, and took part in a heady debate whether LA is a baseball or basketball town with a handful of guys spanning the gap between. There were four-legged friends as well.
My point is, the event drew people of all ages, various races, and everyone mingled together in absolute harmony. Even the one guy who tried to make an erroneous case that the Rams actually have an avid fan base and the city is becoming a football town as a result. But I’m from Texas and I’ve seen what avid football fans look like so all the weed in the world couldn’t convince me that idea held logic.
I digress.
Outside the door, SumThin 4 ur Mouth Catering offered up food, drinks and snacks for those in line as well as anyone who wanted to step out and grab a bite during the event. I had the Philly Cheese steak a bit later in the night and I wasn’t disappointed. I meant to grab some food from Pastaplug.la but the night got away from me and I never had the pleasure but their offering sure looked and smelled great. Elite Eatz was also on hand and again I didn’t have the stomach room to try any of their offerings though I did a steady moving line indulging in what they had to offer. The event had plenty of food an beverage options for those who couldn’t resist their rising hunger.
But let’s talk about the main event of any 420 event -- Magical Marijuana. An array of knowledgeable growers, vendors, and connoisseurs were on hand. For a newbie like myself this was a golden chance to ask about strains, consumption methods, and the best way to achieve the desired outcome. Some people are just looking to get high and have fun, others are looking for relief of anxiety or tension. Headaches, back pain, inflammation, and of course the old glaucoma we’ve all joked about at some point in time. Marijuana and all its derivatives have something f to help all of these things and more and I discovered a few new tricks meandering around talking to those far more knowledgeable than myself about this powerful plant and its natural abilities to help us.
I recommend you attend this event or one near you next year and seek out knowledge from the likes of C Stix, Keke, American Apothecary, Trust Hydroponics, Trust-CBD, and Penthouse Sweets. I spoke to representatives from all these vendors and learned from each of them. Events like this is a great way to gain knowledge so you can try new things and find the products that work for you.
Of course, weed culture is huge as well and there were a number of vendors selling shirts, dominos, hats, stickers, bongs, pipes, all designed to fit the lifestyle and mindset. CKingBeauty will make you look and feel good with their services and products, many of which are hemp based.
Speaking of artful beauty, WHATSKISHADOING had her creations on display and demonstrated her talents with some live painting.
Mr. Brand New provided games from rapid fire nerf balls gun that were as fun to fire off in fully automatic fashion to video games, basketball pong and more. This added to the fun festive environment and everyone I saw taking part was doing so with laughter and smiles.
Of course, I didn’t see wany one at the event that wasn’t in a good mood. Perhaps good deals and good weed is what society needs to step back and realize life is too short for the crazy frantic pace and unnecessary animosity. So prevalent these days.
The music got going later in the night and like the rest of the event there was simple more to dig in and enjoy than I can share here. If I’m honest the night caught up to me and in my euphoria I didn’t catch every name and introduction. The events was MC’s by @youknowfresh with @djyas_theempress providing the music. Performances from @comptonav @adrielcalaway @youngceno @kingofturnuppookiefnrude @guttagone @stevedamarofficial @upallnyt107 @officialyt1 @beachmcgee @the2tonetwinss @moriwhite @tamanijo @deuce.biggs @_itsladyyy and @liildrawzz were on the billing and the crowd was into the scene for the duration.
I perhaps overdid myself and had to step outside for some air through some of it and that is my only regret of the night. Can’t wait to attend LA on Lock future events including this one in 2024.
My apologies to the vendors, performers, caterers, creatives etc. that I did not get a chance to speak to and include here. I’ll catch y’all next year.