Every April 20, in more and more places around the world, cannabis enthusiasts celebrate it as a symbolic Marijuana Day.

Yet few actually know why did this number become such a powerful cultural symbol? What does 420 mean? where did it originate?

This guide will explain the origin of 420, its meaning and how it has become the unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts.

What is 420? Meaning

420 is a slang term (or a kind of code word) referring to marijuana or marijuana use.

Due to this association, 420 is also used as the name of an unofficial holiday that marijuana enthusiasts celebrate by using marijuana. It is sometimes called Weed Day (weed is a slang term for marijuana).

On this day, some folks gather to consume marijuana, get high, and have fun. For others, the day takes on a more political tone and they use it to plan events to educate and advocate for an end to cannabis prohibition.

Events are held in the U.S. and around the world, from London to Dunedin and New Zealand.

Many dispensaries and cannabis businesses offer special deals and promotions on this day, making it one of the busiest days of the year for the industry.

History and Origin of 420

Many theories have swirled over the years. While more exciting ones harken the holiday back to police busts or hidden messages in classic songs, the widely accepted origin is a little more reminiscent of a classic high school experience.

At the early 1970’s in the town of San Rafael, California. There was a group of 5 San Rafael high school students (Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz and Mark Gravich) who called themselves the “Waldo’s”. The nickname came from their favorite hangout spot, a wall nearby the high school.

The Waldo’s heard of a marijuana crop that was hidden in the nearby San Reyes peninsula and they agreed to meet at a statue of Louis Pasteur near the school to seek out the buds. The group would meet week after week in the same spot at the same time, they would pile into their car and smoke joint after joint on their way to search for the mystical marijuana crop.

Originally, the group would say “420-Louis” as their code as their code to schedule a meeting. Eventually, they dropped the “Louis” because they found themselves using the term “420” to describe anything marijuana related.

The Waldo’s may have connected 420 and marijuana in their high school days, but it was the Grateful Dead that helped it catch on in American counterculture.

Mark Gravich’s father managed real estate for the Grateful Dead rock band, so the Waldos knew their location most of the time. Dave Reddix used this connection to become a roadie for Grateful Dead’s bassist Phil Lesh, and made 4:20 PM the “socially acceptable” time to start smoking weed, which spread throughout the Deadheads (fans of the rock band) community.

During a Grateful Dead concert in Oakland, California, December 1990, a flyer distributed by a group of Deadheads inviting people to smoke on April 20 at 4:20 p.m. did the trick.

A reporter Steven Bloom at High Times magazine got hold of the flier and printed it in 1991, bringing it to the attention of cannabis fans across state lines. The magazine continued to use the term in future publications, solidifying its place in popular vernacular.

What does 420-friendly mean?

“420-friendly” means that a person, business, or location supports or allows cannabis consumption.

This is especially common in regions with legalized cannabis, helping tourists find places such as hotels that match their preferences.

In Conclusion

Today, 420 has become a global phenomenon. On April 20th each year, cannabis enthusiasts around the world gather to celebrate the plant and its benefits.

While the origins of 420 may seem insignificant, it has become a powerful symbol for the cannabis community.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it’s important to remember the history of 420 and the role it has played in shaping cannabis culture.