What does 420 mean? The history of 420 and cannabis

The term ‘420’ is synonymous with cannabis culture, referencing the time (4:20 p.m.) or the date (April 20th) when people celebrate the plant. 420 is also a colloquial term that implies acceptance of cannabis use in social settings.

The term’s history comes with many alleged origins and myths. Learn the real history of 420, and how April 20th became known as a cannabis holiday.

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History of 4/20

The most widely accepted origin of 420 is that of the Waldos. The Waldos — Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich — were friends at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California, and often hung out by a wall outside their school, which is how they came up with their name.

In 1971, they created the phrase “420” to refer to their after-school field trips in search of a supposed cannabis treasure trove somewhere in Point Reyes, planted by Gary Newman, a U.S. Coast Guard service member.

Newman’s brother-in-law reportedly gave the students a treasure map, claiming it led to a cannabis crop that was theirs for the taking should they discover it. The Waldos called the search “420 Louis,” a code for the time (4:20 p.m.) and place (statue of Louis Pasteur in front of their campus) where they would meet to start their search.

“By about the fourth week, we just dropped ‘Louis,’” Capper told Cheddar News. “We’d see each other in the halls, and we’d go ‘420,’ and we’d smile. So ‘Louis’ was dropped — sorry Louis.”

The Waldos never found the hidden crop.

The 420 myth became infamous thanks to High Times magazine editor Steven Hager, who published an article in May 1991 that credited the term to followers of the band The Grateful Dead. He praised 4:20 as the most socially acceptable time for cannabis use, declaring 4/20 (April 20th) a day to celebrate it.

Hager’s article was inspired by a flyer he saw on December 28th, 1990, posted by a group of ‘Deadheads’ (fans of The Grateful Dead). The flyer, posted in Oakland, California, was a public invitation to smoke “420 on 4/20 at 4:20 p.m.” Hager picked up one of these flyers and included it in his article.

Finally, in 1998, High Times declared that the Waldos were the real creators of 420. The Waldos now have a website – complete with documented evidence – to support their claim to the term.

The evolution of 4/20 over the decades

Over the years, April 20th has become the unofficial cannabis holiday worldwide. There are also spin-off holidays like 710 Day, aka National Dab Day on July 10th, which focuses on celebrating cannabis concentrates. ‘710’ spells ‘oil’ upside-down, referencing cannabis oils, wax, and other types of concentrates.

As more states have legalized cannabis, the celebration of 4/20 has become increasingly mainstream. Media publications and outlets cover dozens of 4/20 rallies, trade shows, concerts, and other events as they spread across the globe.

For example, in San Francisco, California, thousands congregate in Golden Gate Park each year to celebrate cannabis culture with glasswork vendors, live music, and cannabis-inspired art.

Myths about 4/20

Despite 420 being more mainstream than ever, some myths about the holiday and its origins persist.

Myth: 420 was established to honor Adolf Hitler’s birthday

Reality: Even though Hitler was born on April 20th, 1889, there’s no connection between his birthday and the cannabis holiday.

Myth: April 20th is the best day to plant cannabis

Reality: While many cannabis growers plant their crops in the spring for an autumn harvest, there’s no evidence to suggest that a particular date – 4/20 or otherwise – will produce higher yields or healthier plants.

Myth: There are 420 chemical compounds in cannabis

Reality: Another common misconception is that 420 refers to the number of chemical compounds in cannabis, including cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and terpenes. However, this is incorrect, as there are more than 500 known chemical compounds in the plant (that researchers know of so far).

Myth: It’s the day Bob Marley died

Reality: The legendary reggae singer actually passed away from skin cancer on May 11, 1981.

Myth: 420 has something to do with cannabis laws

Reality: Another myth around 420 is that it’s a reference to the California penal code police officers would use to report marijuana consumption. There’s no evidence to support this theory, and Section 420 of California’s penal code relates to the obstruction of access to public lands.

420 also has nothing to do with cannabis-related laws passed by Congress, as the term has been in use for much longer than cannabis legalization. More recently, however, lawmakers pushing for cannabis legalization have chosen the term “420” to name their bills, such as California’s SB420 (The Medical Marijuana Program Act) in 2019 and the U.S. Congress’ HR420, which proposes to remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of controlled substances.

Myth: Bob Dylan invented 420 in a song

Reality: One debunked theory is that 420 comes from Bob Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” because the number 12 multiplied by 35 equals 420.

The bottom line: Decades after it originated, 420 has become a day to celebrate cannabis around the world

Regardless of 420’s origins, April 20th is a more socially accepted holiday than ever before. With a medical cannabis card, you can celebrate 420 legally to take part in the fun.

Resources

• 420 Waldos. https://420waldos.com/
• California code, penal code — Pen 420. https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-420.html
• H.R. 420. Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/420
• SB-420: Medical marijuana. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200320040SB420

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