History of 420
April 20th is a special day for cannabis enthusiasts. On this day, weed lovers worldwide light up in celebration of this magical plant. 420 has become synonymous with smoking weed. However, the history of 420 is less well-known, and most people don’t know where 420 originated.
Where does this number come from? How did 420 become an international calling card for smoking cannabis? And why is it so significant that people worldwide have adopted this date as a day to light up? Here’s the history of 420 and how this date came to represent Marijuana.
The Origin and Meaning Behind the Term ‘420’
The history of 420 is fascinating. It has been a part of many cultures and religions. The term “420” was first coined in 1971, but it has its origins in the early 20th century. While there are many documented facts about the number 420, there’s a lot of conjecture about its origins. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more popular myths that explain the history of 420.
The Original Stoners and their part in the history of 420
Its origins are believed to have stemmed from a group of high school students in San Rafael, California, who used to hang out by a statue at San Rafael High School.
The group called themselves “The Waldos” because they met near the wall and were known to occasionally meet at a statue on their high school campus to smoke marijuana at 4:20 PM.
During the fall of 1971, the Waldos learned of a cannabis grow by service members who could no longer tend the farm on the coast. The property was located just north of the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard Station in Marin County. The Waldos repeatedly failed to find the Coast Guard grow, but they did develop a pact to meet up at 4:20 PM every day to smoke Marijuana.
Every Thursday, the Waldos would meet near the wall to smoke their “weekend” joints and plan their next treasure hunt. The Waldos decided to start regularly meeting at 4:20 PM to search for the abandoned cannabis. They began using “420” as a code for marijuana. They did this to talk discreetly about cannabis, fearing that they’d be overheard or reported by parents or teachers if they spoke plainly.
The Waldos designated 4:20 PM as a time to meet up and smoke after school, and the term quickly spread beyond their little group. The group eventually began making 420-related jokes amongst itself and distributing them to other classmates, who eventually called it “the number” to avoid association with time. Thus, the term 420 stuck.
As time went on, the group began to grow in size, and soon it spread to other schools. More and more people started smoking at 4:20, and eventually, it became an international phenomenon.
“420″ as Police Code for Marijuana
Another theory in the history of 420 states that the number 420 began as a police code for Marijuana. This theory claims that 420 relates to a police code for illegal drug use, in the same way, that “911″ is associated with an emergency. It is based on the idea that they are looking for “420” on the radio when they suspect someone is smoking.
This myth has its roots in several pieces of evidence. Police in California have used the term 420 on several occasions in police communications. First, there is a recording of a telephone conversation in 1958 between two officers in the San Rafael Police Department.
There’s also a police report from 1974 by Sergeant Frederick White, in which he describes the public smoking of Marijuana around 4:20 PM in the Castro District.
While some believe that 420 as a police code is true, there’s no real evidence to back it up. Over the years, many documented examples have pointed to the belief that 420 as a police code is false. The most recent example was the Occupy San Francisco movement in April 2012.
The Grateful Dead
Maybe the most cited origin of 4:20 is the famous song “420” by The Grateful Dead. The song was written by Bob Weir and was first performed on February 18th, 1972, in San Rafael, CA. The band performed the song eight times that year, and it was included on the album “Wake of the Flood.” The Grateful Dead, who did celebrate 4:20, typically played this song on April 20th.
At 4:20, the band would take a break at their concerts and light up. Band member Phil Lesh, who attended San Rafael High School and was friends with one of the Waldos, is credited with introducing the term 420 to the Grateful Dead’s fans, who spread the term throughout the band’s “tribe, “and by extension, society in general.
However, the band denied a connection between marijuana and 420, saying that the band’s fans adopted the term 420 because of their association with the band, asserting that it was a reference to the band itself.
The Date of the First Cannabis Use by Bob Marley
Another common theory in the history of 420 is that the origin of 4/20 is the date that Rastafarian leader Bob Marley was alleged to have used cannabis for the first time. Bob Marley is a well-known musician and Rastafarian who became a prominent advocate for the legalization of Marijuana. His single, “One Love,” is a Rastafarian motto.
Anecdotal evidence, backed up by Bob Marley’s bandmates, indicates that he first tried cannabis on April 20th, 1963. This story was extensively documented in the book “Marley, the Biography.” Instead of having a birthday party on the day of his birth, Bob Marley’s family and friends would gather on the beach at 4:20 every year to smoke a joint. When Bob Marley died, his friends gathered at 4:20 to smoke a joint in his honor—making Bob Marley a significant person in the history of 420.
Conclusion
420 has made it worldwide, with many people celebrating it, unaware of the history of 420 and its meaning. One of the best parts of the holiday is that it’s so open to interpretation. It can be whatever you want it to be. For many, it’s a celebration of cannabis.
However you decide to celebrate, you can find the best products to enjoy on 4/20 at your local Callie's dispensary. See you there!
