You may have heard of this special day, April, 20. However, you may not know exactly how it came to be the day in which cannabis culture comes together to celebrate all things marijuana-related.
Initially, we can credit a group of students dubbed the Waldos for coining the term “420” back in 1971. The group hailed from San Rafael, attending high school of the same name. The group earned their name from their favored handout against a wall at school.
At some point, these students happened upon a map, which supposedly outlined the location of an abandoned crop of cannabis plants. Their location was indicated to reside not far from the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard Station. The group schemed to meet after school at 4:20 one fateful afternoon to see if this map and its reported stash were, in fact, legit. To make a long story short, the plants were never found. However, from that day forward, the term “420” was cemented into these California students’ lexicon. “420” became a way of talking bout marijuana out in the open, while keeping everyone outside the group in the dark. Its use spread from there, with the help of one weed toking jam band.
One might ask how these students happened to have a connection to one of the most influential and widely known rock bands of the 20th century. Well, Marin country was a bit smaller back then and The Dead frequented the Bay Area. Namely, one of the Waldos’ fathers helped managed the Dead’s real estate once upon a time. Another of the Waldo’s had a brother who was pretty close with Phil Lesh and managed a Dead sideband. As a result of these connections and just being embedded in the Bay Area’s jam band scene, the Waldo’s had access to Dead shows, after-parties, and were even known to frequent the band’s rehearsals. Their lingo was quickly adopted by the crew of emphatic smokers who proceeded to carry 420 with them on the road for the next several decades.
Today, April 20th is celebrated throughout the US as an unofficial official holiday in cannabis culture. However, this special day has roots going back to the Waldos and the Dead.
According to legend, Steven Bloom, then a reporter for High Times Magazine, was passed a flyer at a Dead concert which read:
“We are going to meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais” it was an invitation for all smokers to congregate on what was to be the ultimate smoker’s holiday. Bloom published the flyer in an excerpt for High Times, which catapulted the fame of the phrase and earned the day a special seat of recognition among smokers. Today, that holiday is unofficially celebrated from coast to coast. The largest single gathering is likely represented in Porter Meadow of US Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA. The Dead frequented the neighboring mountain towns of Zayante, Felton, and Bonny Doon. Dead Heads still frequent those hills in search of the severed finger of Jerry Garcia, but that’s neither here nor there.
As part of the growing cannabis culture and the use of 420 to refer to its activities, highway signs bearing the number began disappearing across the United States. Colorado’s Department of Transportation had the bright idea to change mile marker 420 on I-70 East of Denver. They settled on mile marker 419.99. The attempt didn’t stop thieves from snatching up that marker as well thanks to the lore behind its peculiar designation. It has even become a roadside tourist destination. The DOT stopped replacing the road signs after repeated thefts. The marker has been absent since 2018 with the state showing no interest in reviving either iteration. Similar circumstances surround mile marker “69”. In that case, the DOT opted to just move the marker down the road and designate a new sign mile “68.5”.
The Dot in Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Minnesota have all had their 420-mile markers stolen frequently. Few choose to replace them following repeated thefts. According to the Washington Post, only eleven such road signs remain on US highways.
It’s a funny thing to imagine a bit of slang from a group of San Rafael teens would grow to cultural adoption but isn’t that how all slang comes into use?
Taking it to another level in 2003, California officially adopted the number and included it in their medical marijuana legislative bill, “California Senate Bill 420”.
This legislation spoke specifically to the regulatory framework for medical marijuana in the state of California, offering a nod to the number’s roots in cannabis culture.
Oregon followed suit with its own HR Bill 420, which sought to regulate cannabis, in the same way, the state-regulated alcoholic beverages.
Now that you’ve got the 411 on 420, all you have left to do is consider how you’ll celebrate. Whether you fly solo or with friends, keep in mind to have all you need nearby. Stock up on food, drink, tunes, and anything else that suits your fancy for 4/20. Take the day off, if you’re provided that benefit and just kick back on this holiday for smokers.
If you’re looking for recommendations on what suits your palate or where to find your local dispensary, 9leaves can make the connection. Search our long list of strain profiles to find what aligns with your preference as well as what’s best for your unique disposition. Search the site or reach out for a bit of guidance on where to go from there. In any case, from the crew at 9Leaves, have a hassle-free and happy 4/20!
