Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th, a.k.a. 3/14. That numeric date is the first three digits of the mathematical constant Pi (3.14159265359…), and in an act of pure whimsy, Americans have slowly made it into a holiday. People celebrate Pi Day by making or buying fresh buttery pies or pizzas. This year, a Chicago pizza place paired up with a dispensary to make the world’s largest infused pizza in honor of the occasion.
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The Sicilian-style pie was made by the Logan Square Paulie Gee’s. It was infused using oil and balsamic vinegar toppings rather than baked into the pie. This method allowed the crew to precisely dose each of the 50 slices and serve them in Ivy Hall, a nearby licensed dispensary. Guests had to buy a ticket and present 21+ ID to enter.
“Cannabis and pizza are a perfect pairing to bring people together and build community through shared experiences,” Jonny Boucher, director of marketing for Paulie Gee’s, said in a press release. “I’m thrilled to have worked with my incredible friends and the talented crew at Paulie Gee’s to bring this experience to fruition and create the world’s largest infused pizza.”
Paulie Gee’s owner Derrick Tung was just as excited about the collab.
“Building the world’s largest infused pizza has been a labor of love, and I’m happy to have had the opportunity to achieve such a feat with my team at Paulie Gee’s Logan Square and Ivy Hall,” Tung said in the release.
Those who were of age and hungry for weed pizza were invited to come to Logan Square for a slice at “high noon” or 12 p.m. The event was meant to be a fun way to celebrate cannabis and delicious food, but instead, it became a showcase for how the stigma is alive and well.
The pizza shop received an anonymous letter after pulling off the Pi Day stunt. Tung posted the letter on the business’s Instagram page in response and refuted the claims beat by beat.
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This letter was filled with allegations that “hospital poison centers are filled with people and children suffering” and that “laws are not being respected or obeyed.” The writer calls the pizza store “sick b*stards” and the Pi Day celebration “sick sh*t.” Overall, it is mean, rude, and ignorant.
In the series of text posts, Tung explains that the event followed the laws and ensured kids would not have access to the pizza. The final message was sent with compassion, letting the neighbor know that they understand concern for children, and directing them to the correct political powers to have their voices heard.
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While the letter is disheartening, the public response from a non-cannabis business owner is not. Many agree with the pizzeria, with commenters spouting off jokes about “gateway pizza” and rolling up and smoking slices. Nobody wants children to get high on edibles, but reactionary rage is rarely productive. If the concerned citizen wants to make waves, he has hit up the wrong person. However, the pizzeria may have knocked their response out of the park.
When someone is unfairly judging or persecuting safe cannabis use, take a note from Tung and Paulie Gee’s team and say, “Have a blessed day,” and move on with a slice of pizza.
