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New York’s sweetest 4/20 freebie might also be its most iconic. This year, Housing Works Cannabis Co. is teaming up with Magnolia Bakery to give the first 50 customers through the door a serving of the bakery’s legendary banana pudding, because why be high when you could be high and indulging in a beloved dessert?
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"Puff, Puff, Pudding" comes as New York’s legal weed scene continues to evolve just five years after legalization and a few years into the rollout of licensed dispensaries. Housing Works Cannabis Co., the city’s first adult-use dispensary and the only 100 percent charity-focused one, has been at the center of that shift, funneling proceeds into healthcare, housing and social services for New Yorkers.
On April 20, the shop leans into both celebration and community with a full day of activations. Alongside the Magnolia giveaway, customers will find in-store pop-ups featuring brands like Dank, Curaleaf and Electraleaf, plus ongoing April promos including a raffle tied to Space Poppers popcorn purchases and limited-edition swag bags for new loyalty members.
The festivities kick off a day earlier with a “High Yoga” session on April 19, offering a laid-back start to the holiday before things ramp up and you forget why you just picked up your phone, let alone remember to exercise.
Still, it’s the banana pudding that feels very New York. Magnolia’s version (layers of vanilla wafers, whipped cream and sliced bananas) has long transcended bakery status to become a full-blown obsession, drawing lines at locations across the country. It's become so vital that last year saw the debut of a Banana Pudding Bar, letting fans choose from four made-to-order, over-the-top pudding creations.
Even after five years, 4/20 can seem a little like an afterthought in NYC. Puff, Puff, Pudding, however, feels like a truly sweet treat. But yeah, if you want the free pudding, you’ll have to show up when the store opens at 9am.
Housing Works Cannabis Co. is located at 750 Broadway. For more information, click here.