If you ’ re new to the cannabis experience , you may wonder — what the heck is 420 all about ? Well , apparently , in the 70s , a group of Californian high school students would meet at a secret place every day exactly at 4:20 p . m . to smoke marijuana . The students ’ code for their daily gathering became 420 . Ultimately , 420 became 4 / 20 for calendar purposes , creating a day of celebration for marijuana enthusiasts everywhere . The real origin of this day remains a mystery . Nevertheless , since the late 1970s , 420 has been a day ( or two or three days ) to celebrate everything marijuana and party .
If you like to party , April is the month for you , so start preparing now ; you only have 19 days before festivities around the state begin . Most dispensaries will host some version of 420 celebration — specials , discounts , tent sales , parking lot events with live entertainment , food trucks , and swag to take home . Not everyone will host events on April 20 ; some will be spread out between the 14th to the 22nd to give partygoers time to attend as many events as possible .
In this issue , we ’ ve featured a few in the Kansas City area on page 16 . Starting with the KC Cannafest “ Be 4 / 20 Celebration ” on April 14 and 15 in the Heart of Downtown Kansas City ’ s Entertainment District . Billed as the premier cannabis event of 2023 , it attracts thousands of MJ enthusiasts .
That event will warm you up for the first-ever cannabis venue of its kind in the U . S . to open on April 20 — The Smokey River Entertainment District . This all-new entertainment district will include an amphitheater , two indoor entertainment venues , food , beverages , festival grounds , and much more just east of Kansas City . The venue is planned in two phases , with the first phase opening this spring with its Big 420 Fest . The festival-style setup will feature live music stage productions with national and local talent , food trucks , concessions , and a Canna Village — a Rockfest , Rocklahoma , or Lollapalooza-style experience . More details are on page 17 .
Those are only a couple examples of 420 events . Check with your local dispensary for more celebrations . Meanwhile , if you plan to celebrate 420 , you ’ ll want to read Kassie Ferrero ’ s product reviews — “ Drops and FLOWER to Celebrate 420 ” on page 28 . You may find something new to try .
Speaking of products , you may have noticed that some products are out of stock or in short supply — some products sell out within minutes of hitting store shelves . We asked several cultivation , manufacturing , and dispensary leaders to help us understand what ’ s behind these shortages . See page 40 for these insiders ’ take and the current state of supply .
Common sense tells most of us these low inventory issues will be short-lived . It ’ s important to consider that not all licensed cultivators completely built out their allotted canopy space in lieu of getting grows producing quicker to fill medical user demand and get the product to market fast . With adult use and demand , increased revenue streams will help companies expand or complete grow canopy space — hence , more plants growing equals more product to market . Most insiders widely believe that by mid-to-late May , production will catch up and the shortages consumers currently experience will be gone . Remember , it ’ s a plant — it needs three to four months ( or more ) to grow and be harvested . Then it needs to be manufactured to make those gummies and other products you love .
Meanwhile , relax , and celebrate — it ’ s 420 Month ! 6 April 2023
From The Editor
Bill Cromwell , Publisher , Editor-in-Chief
It ’ s 420 Month !
Missouri ’ s First Educational Medical Cannabis Magazine Published Monthly by Native Kansas City , MO , Advocates , Publishers and Writers . A True Missouri Born Grassroots Effort to Educate and Inform Patients , and to Provide Businesses within The Missouri Cannabis Industry an Economical Forum to Tell Their Story . We hope you join and enjoy “ The Evolution .”
PUBLISHER , EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Bill Cromwell News , Articles , Advertisement , & All Requests Should Email to : Bill . C @ TheEvolutionMag . com Corporate Office ( New 2023 ) 816.886.9017 Kansas City , MO Mail to : P . O . Box 2196 , Independence , MO 64055
MANAGING EDITOR , VP OF OPERATIONS : Victoria Cromwell DIRECTOR MARKETING and EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT : Clayton Stallings CREATIVE DESIGNER , GRAPHIC ARTS and EDITORIAL : Bill Cromwell PHOTOGRAPHY : Clayton Stallings , and guests photographers
Our Team of Expert Writers and Cannabis Industry Leaders
● Danielle Buntyon ― Elevated Learning
● Kassie Ferrero ― Dispensary Product Reviews and News
● Dana Cunningham — Cooking with CBD and THC
● Dolores Halbin , RN — Patient Advocate and Awareness
● Sean Keast ― Product Profiles and Dispensary News
● Peter Kershaw — Health and Safety Columnist
● Leah Maurer — Health , Awareness , Ask Leah Columnist
● Jason Mispagel , — Home Growers Education Columnist
● Dr . Poppa , D . O ., M . B . A . ― Medical Health News
● Jay Richardson ― Patient Features
● Rocco Scarcello ― Educational
● Todd Scattini ― Veterans News
● Monthly Guest Writers — Cannabis News & Patient Advocates
The EVOLUTION TM Magazine offers a monthly print magazine that is distributed throughout western Missouri , select St . Louis locations , eastern Kansas and the Lake of the Ozarks region . Free printed copies are found at nearly 360 locations including CBD stores , MMJ Dispensaries , Garden and Grow Supply Stores , doctors offices , restaurants , sports bars , resorts , and many other select locations . In addition , the monthly magazine is offered online in an inter-active E-magazine at www . TheEvolutionMag . com .
NOTICE : The publisher / editor reserves the right to reject whatever material does not fit with the vision or intent of this publication . Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher and do not imply endorsement , nor are we responsible for the products or services advertised . The contributing writers , staff or owners of THE EVOLUTION Magazine LLC cannot be held liable for hardship or losses incurred due to any content associated within this publication or websites . Written views , advertisements and information expressed in this publication belong to the writers or advertisers and do not reflect the sentiments or editorial opinion of the publisher or staff . We cannot be held responsible for ; views , opinions , changes to scheduling , prices , rates or the occasional typographical errors .
ADVERTISEMENT NOTICE : Advertisers have the right to terminate promotions or special offers / coupons , change rates or fees without notice . All listed guides , rates , fees and information herein are non-binding reference material only . Always check with listed businesses or advertisers for its latest updates , current prices and / or special offers .
FDA Disclaimer : Any statements / claims made within this magazine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration . No articles , products or Ads featured within these pages are intended to diagnose , treat , cure , prevent any disease , ailment or disorder . Medical decisions should not be made based on advertisements within these pages . Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products . Products mentioned within for use by adults age 21 and older . Keep such products out of reach of children . The information within is a sharing of knowledge and information based on the writers research , opinions and / or educated experience .
© 2019 – 2023 The EVOLUTION TM Magazine . All Rights Proprietary and Conceptual Designs Reserved . Reproduction of any part of this publication ’ s contents is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Publisher or Managing Editor .