IRVINE, Calif. — As millions throughout the country shelter in place, Weedmaps, the leading technology and software provider to the cannabis industry, is making sure that cannabis consumers everywhere can still celebrate this special holiday with a one-of-a-kind experience. Weedmaps is bringing together Wiz Khalifa, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ari Lennox, Joey “CoCo” Diaz, Berner and other top talent to produce “Higher Together: Sessions from Home,” the world’s biggest 4/20 virtual celebration.On Monday, April 20th, from 12 p.m. (PDT) to 5 p.m. (PDT), top artists, comedians and entertainers will make appearances, perform exclusive sets from their homes, and debut new music throughout the livestream, ringing in and celebrating 4:20 in all four U.S. continental time zones.
On the heels of the release of his new record “Contact,” Multi-Platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa will perform a 20-minute DJ set featuring a selection of his favorite tracks to smoke to, while interacting with fans and celebrating the release of his “The Saga of Wiz Khalifa” EP, which will also be released on April 20th.
Of the celebration, Wiz said: “Super excited to hang with the Weedmaps smokers all over the world. I’m even more pumped to be able to share a new project on a holiday everyone loves.”
Inspired by his new project, Mama Kush, country and alternative rock legend Billy Ray Cyrus will debut his new single “Hillbilly Ray,” along with an accompanying animated music video, as part of his exclusive acoustic 4/20 set on Weedmaps. An updated take on the 1970s The Beverly Hillbillies’ theme song, “Hillbilly Ray” will provide fans with a sneak peek for what’s to come from the two-time Grammy winner.
“Be a Bogart. If you care, don’t share. Don’t pass your joint or pipe around, it’s just not safe to do right now. Let’s all take a breather, chill out on 4/20 and jam to some new music. We’re gonna have a good time,” Cyrus shared.
Wiz Khalifa and Billy Ray Cyrus will join other notable talent including Ari Lennox, Joey “CoCo” Diaz, Berner, Stephen Marley, Tycho, Dave East, Cam’ron, Alchemist, Tony Hinchcliffe, Chaunte Wayans, Kitty Kash, along withother musicians, DJs, comedians and influencers to bring Weedmaps’ “Higher Together: Sessions from Home” to life.
“For more than 12 years, Weedmaps has connected millions of consumers with retailers and brands, while advocating for accessible cannabis for all,” said Juanjo Feijoo, Chief Marketing Officer, Weedmaps. “4/20 has not only become a celebration for cannabis enthusiasts around the world, but culturally, it has also served as a reminder for how far we’ve come since the days of prohibition and the continued work that is ahead. We’re excited to partner with some of the best in music and entertainment to celebrate the plant and the culture with our community.”
As the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis, Weedmaps is committed to standing alongside cannabis businesses and advocacy groups as the collective industry navigates these uncertain times. As such, Weedmaps has partnered with Last Prisoner Project to highlight the organization’s ongoing efforts throughout the livestream and show viewers how to get involved. Weedmaps will also be creating an avenue to raise funds for Last Prisoner Project throughout the live streamed event that will go towards protecting incarcerated communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our constituents, many of whom are over the age of 60 and have underlying health conditions, are imprisoned because of a plant that has now been deemed an ‘essential’ service by jurisdictions across the country,” said Sarah Gersten, Executive Director & General Counsel of Last Prisoner Project. “Our justice system’s response to this pandemic is effectively sentencing nonviolent cannabis offenders to death. Releasing cannabis prisoners now is not only the right thing to do from a justice perspective, but also to ensure the health and safety of all of us.”
Cannabis enthusiasts and canna-curious adults alike are invited to join the free Weedmaps’ “Higher Together: Sessions from Home” 4/20 celebration by visiting weedmaps.com/420 beginning at 12 p.m. (PDT) / 3 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 20th. Adult consumers living in states where cannabis is legal are encouraged to check out weedmaps.com or download the app to preorder* your favorite cannabis products for the festivities. (*in applicable states)
About Weedmaps
Weedmaps is the leading technology and software infrastructure provider to the cannabis industry. Founded in 2008, the company holds a strong belief in the power of cannabis and the importance of enabling safe, legal access to consumers worldwide. Since then, Weedmaps has worked tirelessly, not only to be the most comprehensive platform for consumers, but to build the software solutions that power businesses compliantly in the space, to advocate for legalization, social equity, and licensing in many jurisdictions, and to facilitate further learning through partnering with dozens of subject matter experts on providing detailed, accurate information about the plant.Weedmaps’ mission is to power a transparent and inclusive global cannabis economy. Now in its second decade, Weedmaps has been a driving force behind much of the legislative change we’ve seen in the past 10 years. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Weedmaps employs more than 400 professionals around the world, including in Denver, Tucson, New York, Barcelona, and Toronto.
About Last Prisoner Project (LPP)
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a coalition of cannabis industry leaders, executives and artists dedicated to bringing restorative justice to the cannabis industry. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered criminal convictions and the consequences of those convictions. Through intervention, advocacy and awareness campaigns, the forces behind the Last Prisoner Project will work to redress the past and continuing harms of these unjust laws and policies and are dedicated to making sure that every last victimless cannabis prisoner walks free.
