Sunday, April 27, 2014

Superstoner Hits Denver Cannabis Cup 4/20 2014


Superstoner Hits Denver Cannabis Cup 4/20 2014

  I have to start by saying Denver was an amazing city!  After a 14 hour drive we arrive at our hotel room around 2am. The Double Tree, a very nice place.  We check-in and the hotel clerk informs us about the "Smoking Tent" out in the parking lot. Awesome!  Moments after we get into our room, and drop our bags we were greeted by our neighbors, and invited to a session at the "Smoking Tent". How can I say no to that?   Even at damn near 3am, the tent is still lively with excited Marijuana Enthusiasts from all over the country, who can't wait for the festivities ahead.  We didn't stay long, we knew we had a big day ahead of us and we were gonna need our rest.  The next morning we hit the first coffee shop we ran into, to our pleasant surprise the Baristas greeted us in their underwear. Good Morning!  they "Popped our Cherries" for being first timers to their coffee shop, then it was off to the Cup.  
  

  The 2nd Annual Denver Cannabis Cup was an incredible experience!  I have never been to a Cannabis Cup.  I grew up reading about the Amsterdam Cannabis Cups in High Times magazines, dreaming of what the experience would be like. And i have to say, it was surreal!  I have been to Comic Cons as a regular paying customer, but this was the first time I have been on the other side of the table as a vendor.  At the Superbowl of Cannabis Culture!   It was pretty overwhelming to say the least, but once the doors opened up, and the people came in, it was really easy to talked to them and answer questions about the comic. I think we were all on that "Higher" level!

  

  We got some Attention!  We were pretty busy that first day, I was only away from the booth maybe for a hour.  But it seems we turned a few heads, and got people into the idea of a new Marijuana themed comic book, that also brings back the classic drug culture comic style of the 60s and 70s.  The second day, 4/20! We had a few interviews lined up.  The first was done by a lovely lady named Kimm Miller, with Headed West Films and PMK Entertainment.  It was my first video interview ever, and I was Way nervous, but I think I did ok, tried to give a little info about the comic without spoiling too much of it.  The next interview was from a sweet girl named Hanna Eads. By this time I was feeling really good!  It was a nice sit down interview, she had a list of questions ready for us and recorded the conversation.  She published to interview on two sites, www.TheDailyNebraskan.com and www.WeLoveTheHerb.com.  Check out the links above to read the interview!

We Met lots of Awesome people!



  Rick Cusick from High Times!  Rick is the man! The Associate Producer of High Times.  When I first emailed about getting a booth at Cannabis Cup, they sent me to Rick Cusick.  I called Rick to ask him about a booth and right away he asked me what kind of business I was in?  I told him I was a comic book writer and we just finished our book and we wanted to launch the sales at the Cup.  After a great conversation about comic books, he told me he would send the information and would make sure we were there!  When we got to the Cup saturday morning, we met with Rick and he had  a great spot set aside for us, right near the entrance to the outdoor part of the event.  He is a busy man and I didn't want to take to much of his time, so I thanked him for the opportunity, and told him to stop by the booth once we were all set up.  The next day, 420! He came by the booth and we had a chance to take a picture with him and hooked him up with a few comics and a t-shirt.  Thanks Again Mr. Rick Cusick for the opportunity and the experience!


  The Lovely Emily Aryn "Miss High Times 2012"!  In the weeks leading up to Cannabis Cup, admits the Instagram hype, I had a few brief back and fourth comments with Emily, I told her I can't to meet her at the Cup.  Early sunday morning, 420!  She came by our booth to meet us.  She was a super sweet gal!  and she wished us the best of luck with our comic launch.  We couldn't let her go without giving her a comic and taking a picture with her.  Thank You Emily for coming by the booth and saying hello!


  Hip-Hop Legend Funkdoobiest!  When I was out walking around enjoying the Cup, I came across this guy puffing on a fat green blunt, so I had to check it out.  Turns out, I smoked the best blunt of my life with Hip-Hop Legend Funkdoobiest.  Now Funkdoobiest might not be hugely popular, but growing up in the 90s Los Angeles, you heard the name and the music of Funkdoobiest, especially if you're into Marijuana influenced Hip-Hop such as Cypress Hill.  But I have to admit, I didn't know what Funkdoobiest looked like, so as we were puffin this blunt I mention to him I'm selling a comic book in side, he tells me he's out here chillin, but he's working on a new album, I ask him what his name is, he tells me it's Funkdoobiest, I say, "Wait a minute... You're Funkdoobiest?... I know you! I know your music! Damn man lets take a picture!"  He was down with that, and we finished the blunt.  Let me tell you about the blunt!  It was a Tied Stick Hash Blunt wrapped in fresh Marijuana leaves.  Best Blunt I ever smoked! Thank You Mr. Funkdoobiest!


  Famous Glass Artist Jerome Baker!  A few booths down from us, Jerome Baker was blowing glass! The first bong I ever owned was a Jerome Baker Designs Bong, it was an 18th birthday present from a friend, a dear old high school buddy, who I had to message  right away to let her know I met JB!  He was a nice guy! Gave us shirts and coasters! One of the guys at his booth bought a comic from us, a cool dude by the name of Ian.  JB let us know he checked out the comic and thought it was pretty cool.  We gave him a copy of the comic, then he and his crew took a picture with me and my buddy Cory. Showing off those Cannabis Cups!  It was cool to meet the guy who blew your very first glass pipe.  I have a lot of memories of the Bong! Thank You JB!



  A Honor to meet Tommy Chong, one of our hugest influences!  Waiting in line to meet Tommy Chong, my heart was pumping.  Even though I met him before in a comedy club in Tempe.  But this time I was excited to give him a copy of our comic book.  When it was our turn to meet him we walked right up to him and introduced ourselves, we told him we were comic book creators and he replied, "My favorite kind of people" I was star struck!  Tommy took the time too look over our comic, giggling a little as he turned the pages.  We asked if he could sign a few copies for us, and he was happy too. He gave us an A+ grade!  This was the best thing that could of happened at the Cup for us!  Thank You Tommy Chong for the Approval, and we hope you enjoy the comic!

  Another Star I saw, but wasn't able to get a picture with was Punk Rock Legend Henry Rollins!  We were working hard at the booth, talking to people, selling comics, when I look up and see a grey haired man walking toward our booth.  I think for a moment, "Hey that guy kinda looks like Henry Rollins..."  then he walks by and I turned into a screaming teenage Beatles fangirl.  "Holy Shit! That is Henry Rollins! Oh Shit! Oh Shit!"  He was walking through the Cup being followed by a camera crew, people were running up to him handing him stuff, and sure enough I was too.  I ran up to him, shouted I was a big fan, and asked him to take my comic.  He took it, gave me a smile and a nod, and continued to walk the Cup.  I Hope he gets a chance to check out the comic!


4:20 on 4/20


  4:20 on 4/20 was like a Utopian Paradise!   Around 4:00 on sunday we noticed it was getting a little quite inside the indoor booth area.  We decided to cover the booth up and head outside for the 4:20 on 4/20 celebration!  The whole crowd of nearly 40,000 people was engulfed in a cloud of smoke!  It was an awesome sight. The count down, the passing of blunts and joint, the music blaring, the guy on stage hyping up the crowd! "Cannabis is going to save the World! It's going to save the economy! It's going to heal the sick! It's going to bring World Peace!..."  I just took it all in... It truly was a glorious sight to see and be apart of.  

Over-all Experience

  Over-all I had a great time!  I feel like we were a part of history! Being at the first ever, fully legal, open to the public, and the largest Cannabis Cup in history.  I'm glad we launched sales of our comic book in Denver 4/20, and was apart of the history.  We did well, we sold over a hundred comic books that weekend, but more importantly, we got our work out there for the the world to checkout.  And that was the Goal!  I really hope we caught some peoples attention, and I hope people will enjoy Superstoner and his Adventures to come!

  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!  Now Go! Get High!
  -Andy "The Writer"



2014 Denver Cannabis Cup- Tommy Chong and Superstoner


Headed West Films takes to the 2014 Denver High Times Cannabis Cup with correspondent Kimm Miller as she interviews Tommy Chong, Chipp & Andy the creators of the new comic book The Adventures of Superstoner, and Ken Cade from MJ Merchant Solutions.

The Daily Nebraskan interviews the Creators of Superstoner at Denver Cannabis Cup 4/20 2014


We Love The Herb interviews Creators of Superstoner at Denver Cannabis Cup 4/20 2014