Why is 4/20 a Thing? How April 20th Became International Cannabis Day
As we gear up to celebrate the holiest of days in the cannabis calendar, it’s time to embark on a historical journey back to the roots of our favourite cannabis holiday: 420. This annual celebration of all things cannabis takes place every April 20th and has transformed from a mere day of the year to a daily celebration where enthusiasts light up when the clock strikes 4:20.
While 420 has become a household term for cannabis enthusiasts, its meaning (beyond being a cue to get high) and origin remain a mystery for many. So, in honour of “International Cannabis Day,” let’s uncover the fascinating story.
The Origins of 420
Contrary to popular myths like “police code for marijuana smoking in progress” or “4:20 is teatime in Amsterdam,” the true story takes us back to the 1970s and a group of high school students known as the “Waldos.” These friends and marijuana enthusiasts decided to search for an untended plot of marijuana plants near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard Station. Their meeting time? 4:20.
While they never found the hidden stash, they discovered something more valuable – a secret codeword for marijuana. The term 420 became synonymous with everything related to cannabis – from smoking and buying to simply being high.
Fast forward to the late 1960s, when San Francisco’s hippie movement migrated to Marin County, turning it into a counterculture hub. The Waldos, connected to bands like The Grateful Dead, spread the term through the “Dead underground.”
High Times magazine further popularised 420, incorporating it into major cannabis events. The term went mainstream, even influencing California’s medical marijuana law (coded SB420) and appearing in movies like Pulp Fiction.
