Spring is the liveliest season on San Jose's cannabis calendar. The weather breaks, the patios open, and from March through the peak of 420 season in April, the industry, the advocacy community, and local dispensaries pack the city's event schedule with workshops, celebrations, pop-ups, and conferences. Here's everything worth knowing about for spring 2026.
Mar
8
2026
📋 Policy · Free
Cannabis Equity Application Workshop — Sacred Heart Community Service
The first of three free workshops helping prospective social equity applicants navigate San Jose's new cannabis licensing framework. Staff from Sacred Heart Community Service and volunteer attorneys will walk applicants through the pre-application process, fee waiver eligibility, and the city's $2 million equity fund. Appointments available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Co-sponsored by the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance. This is a critical resource — the pre-application window opens April 15 and the equity pool fills first.
Learn about the equity permit expansion →
Mar
14
2026
🌿 Education
Cannabis & Wellness for Seniors — San Jose Public Library
A free public education program presented in partnership with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. Topics include understanding the difference between CBD and THC, safe dosing for older adults, medication interactions, and how to navigate your first dispensary visit. A representative from Purple Lotus will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate product options — and their Downtown dispensary at 66 W Santa Clara St is just a three-minute walk from the library.
Mar
21
2026
🎨 Culture
Cannabis & Art: South Bay Creator Night
A monthly gathering of South Bay cannabis-friendly artists, musicians, and creatives at San Pedro Square Market, three blocks from Purple Lotus Downtown. Live music, cannabis-themed art exhibition, and a panel discussion on the intersection of cannabis culture and the Silicon Valley creative economy. Free to attend. Pre-load at the dispensary before heading over — order online for express pickup so you're not waiting in line.
Apr
15
2026
📋 Policy · Deadline
San Jose Cannabis Equity Pre-Application Window Opens
This is the most important date on San Jose's 2026 cannabis calendar for prospective operators. The city's new equity licensing framework opens pre-applications for the 40 percent of new retail permits reserved for social equity candidates. The equity pool fills first — non-equity applicants cannot be awarded permits until it's full. Attend the March 8 Sacred Heart workshop or the April 5 AACSA workshop to prepare your application.
Read the full equity permit story →
Apr
20
2026
🎉 Celebration · 420
420 at Purple Lotus — All-Day Deal Event at Both San Jose Locations
Purple Lotus has hosted one of San Jose's most celebrated 420 events since 2010 — a full-day celebration at both the Commercial Street flagship and Downtown location. Expect deep discounts on their full menu including exclusive Blue Chip Genetics drops, vendor pop-ups in the parking areas, giveaways, live music, and the biggest single-day deals of the year. Order online in advance — express pickup is the best way to skip the line on the busiest day of the year. Both locations are open their regular 8am–10pm hours.
Check Purple Lotus 420 deals closer to the date →
Apr
18
2026
🏛 Industry · Conference
National Cannabis Policy Summit — Washington D.C.
The most important federal cannabis policy gathering of the year, drawing lawmakers, advocates, and industry leaders for two days of conference sessions on rescheduling, banking reform, interstate commerce, and social equity. Several Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance members will be attending. Not in D.C.? The Summit streams key sessions publicly — Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance will host a watch party in San Jose. Location TBA.
May
9
2026
🏪 Grand Opening
Valley Green Partners — Willow Glen Location Grand Opening
Valley Green Partners' newest San Jose location — a converted mid-century commercial space on Lincoln Avenue — opens its doors following the company's $22M Series B raise. Expect heavy opening-weekend promotions, vendor activations, and the kind of foot traffic that made Harborside's January opening a local phenomenon.
Read the Valley Green funding story →
Jun
7
2026
🌿 Industry · California
Cultivar — California Boutique Brand Showcase (Palm Springs)
The premier retail buyers' trade show for California cannabis brands — less trade-show floor chaos than bigger conferences, more focused on brand storytelling and buyer relationships. Several South Bay distributors attend annually. Blue Chip Genetics, Purple Lotus's exclusive house cultivation partner, has shown at Cultivar in prior years.
🗺 Heading to Purple Lotus for 420 or any event? Plan your route:
Coming from The Cake House (1075 N 10th St)? Purple Lotus Commercial Street is 1.2 miles south on N 10th → Commercial St — about 5 minutes. Prefer Downtown? Head west on Santa Clara St from N 10th, Purple Lotus is 2.5 miles, about 10 minutes, directly on the VTA line.
🗺 Cake House → Purple Lotus Downtown → 🗺 Cake House → Purple Lotus Commercial St →
Coming from The Cake House (1075 N 10th St)? Purple Lotus Commercial Street is 1.2 miles south on N 10th → Commercial St — about 5 minutes. Prefer Downtown? Head west on Santa Clara St from N 10th, Purple Lotus is 2.5 miles, about 10 minutes, directly on the VTA line.
🗺 Cake House → Purple Lotus Downtown → 🗺 Cake House → Purple Lotus Commercial St →
Purple Lotus Commercial Street — 752 Commercial St, San Jose · 420 event host since 2010 · Open 8am–10pm daily