The History of 420 - From Secret Code to Global Celebration

Ah, 420 - the magical number that makes every stoner's ears perk up the second they hear it… But where did this iconic code come from? Buckle up, because we're about to take a trip through the hazy history of cannabis culture's favourite number.

The Waldos: The True Origins

Contrary to popular belief, 420 wasn't a police code for marijuana use, nor was it Bob Marley's birthday. The real story is far more entertaining and involves a treasure hunt that would make the Goonies jealous.

It all began in the fall of 1971 in San Rafael, California. A group of five high school students - Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich, who dubbed themselves "The Waldos." Why? Because they liked to hang out by a wall outside their school. Hey, it was the 70s - creativity peaked at pet rocks.

These guys weren't your stereotypical stoners. They were athletes and good students. The Waldos got wind of a coast guard member who had planted a cannabis crop near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station. The coast guard member, overwhelmed by paranoia, couldn't tend to his plant anymore.

The Waldos somehow obtained a treasure map (yes, a real treasure map which led straight to this plant).

Determined to find this cannabis crop, the Waldos agreed to meet at 4:20 PM after school at the Louis Pasteur statue outside their high school. Why 4:20? Well, it was after practice for some of them and probably late enough that the campus would be mostly deserted. Perfect for launching a covert weed-hunting mission.

"4:20 Louis" became their code for the meetup. They'd remind each other in the school hallways by saying "4:20 Louis" or just "4:20." It was their secret code, to a world of adventure and hopefully, free marijuana.

Week after week, the Waldos would meet, hop in a car, spark one up and head out to search for the elusive crop. They never did find that legendary cannabis patch, but they found something far more valuable, they accidentally created a code that would become a global phenomenon.

From High School to Counterculture

Now, you’re wondering how an inside joke between a few high school kids became an international phenomenon. How did it go from a handful of teens giggling in the hallways to millions of people around the world knowing exactly what you mean when you say "420"?

Two words: Grateful Dead.

You see, the Waldos weren't just any group of high school kids. They had connections, Dave Reddix's older brother managed a Grateful Dead cover band and was friends with Phil Lesh, the Dead's bassist. Mark Gravich's father managed the Dead's real estate. This gave the Waldos unprecedented access to the band.

As fate would have it, the Waldos started hanging out backstage at Grateful Dead concerts. In between the psychedelic jams and the smoke sessions the Waldos would use their code "420." The Dead, always in tune with the counterculture, picked up on it.

As the Grateful Dead toured, they took the 420 code with them. It spread through their vast network of fans  like wildfire. 

The term started popping up everywhere the Dead went. It was scribbled on flyers for Deadhead gatherings, whispered in smoky concert venues, and passed along the grapevine of the cannabis counterculture. 

Before long, 420 had transcended its origins as a meet-up time for a group of high school weed hunters. It had become a code word, a secret handshake, a wink and a nod between cannabis enthusiasts across the country. If you knew what 420 meant, you were part of the in-crowd.

The High Times Effect

Fast forward to the 1990s. 420 had been percolating in the counterculture for a couple of decades, passed along through whispered conversations and knowing glances. But it was about to burst into the mainstream, and it had High Times magazine to thank for it.

High Times got wind of the 420 phenomenon, and they didn't just publish a quick explanation of its origins, oh no. They embraced 420 with enthusiasm.

In 1991, High Times published an article about 420, explaining its origins (although they got some details wrong - the true story of the Waldos wouldn't come out until later). They started peppering references to 420 throughout their magazine. 420 became more than just a number it was a brand, a lifestyle, a movement.

High Times didn't stop there. They started promoting 420 events, encouraging readers to gather at 4:20 PM on April 20th for communal smoke sessions. They even bought a chunk of land in California and dubbed it "420 Lane."

The magazine's promotion of 420 was like throwing gasoline on a fire. It ignited the imagination of cannabis enthusiasts everywhere. Suddenly, 420 wasn't just an inside joke or a concert code it was a call to action, and a day of celebration, 

420 quickly became the unofficial official time and date for all things cannabis. It was on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and posters. Head shops started offering "420 sales." Cannabis cafes in Amsterdam began hosting "420 Happy Hours."

High Times had taken a high school inside joke and turned it into a global phenomenon. They didn't invent 420, but they definitely popularised it. They took it from the counterculture to the mainstream, ensuring that forevermore, 4:20 PM would never be just another time of day.

420 Goes Global

From its humble beginnings as a high school code word, 420 has grown into a global celebration.. Every April 20th (4/20 in American date format), you can find events from Amsterdam to Zanzibar, from Colorado to Copenhagen. It's like New Year's Eve for cannabis enthusiasts.

In the United States, 420 celebrations have become massive events. In Denver's Civic Center Park, the annual 420 rally draws tens of thousands of attendees. The crowds are so big, you could almost hotbox an entire city. .

London's Hyde Park becomes a smoker's paradise every April 20th, with thousands gathering for a peaceful protest. In Amsterdam, where cannabis culture is as Dutch as wooden shoes and windmills, 420 is celebrated with special events in the city's famous coffee shops.

In Australia, pro-cannabis rallies are held in major cities. In New Zealand, Wellington's civic square hosts an annual J Day on the closest Saturday to April 20th.

The global spread of 420 isn't just about parties and protests, though. It's become a symbol of the growing cannabis legalisation movement worldwide. Activists use April 20th as a day to push for policy reform, educate the public, and challenge outdated drug laws.

From a secret code shared by five high school students to a worldwide phenomenon, 420 has come a long way. It's transcended borders, languages, and cultures to become a universal symbol of cannabis culture. 

420 in Popular Culture

420 has made its way into mainstream culture. It's become the "nudge nudge, wink wink" of the entertainment world, a sly reference that lets those in the know share a chuckle while sailing over the heads of the uninitiated.

In movies, 420 references are like Easter eggs for the stoner crowd. In "Pulp Fiction," all the clocks are set to 4:20. In "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," the score of the football game is 42-0. Coincidence? I think not.

Music is where 420 really shines. There are more songs referencing 420 than you can count. From Sublime's "Smoke Two Joints" to Afroman's "Because I Got High," 420 has provided the soundtrack to countless smoke sessions.

But 420's influence doesn't stop at entertainment. It's even affected real estate. Some hotels have removed room 420 because it kept getting hotboxed. Others have embraced it, turning room 420 into cannabis-themed suites. 

The Evolution of 420

What started as a secret code has blazed a trail through legalisation movements and into the world of corporate cannabis. The evolution of 420 is like watching your rebellious teenage son grow up to become an accountant – slightly disappointing, but you've got to admire the hustle.

In the early days, 420 was a rallying cry for legalisation. It was scrawled on protest signs, chanted at rallies, and used as a code word for activism meetings. It was about fighting the power, man!

But as cannabis has become legal in more places, 420 has traded in its tie-dye for a business suit. Now, it's less "fight the power" and more "buy our power pack of pre-rolls." Cannabis companies have co-opted 420 as a marketing tool, using it to promote sales and new product launches.

This corporatization of 420 has been met with mixed reactions in the cannabis community. Some see it as a sell-out, a betrayal of 420's countercultural roots. Others view it as a sign of progress – after all, isn't mainstream acceptance what the movement was fighting for?

Despite its journey from counterculture to corporate culture, 420 still maintains its status as a symbol of cannabis culture. It's just that now, alongside the protests and smoke-ins, you've got 420-themed sales at your local dispensary.

420 Today

Today, 420 is a massive part of cannabis culture. It's no longer just a time or date it's a full-blown holiday, the Christmas of cannabis.

Cannabis companies throw 420 sales that eclipse even those of Black Friday. Dispensaries offer doorbuster deals, limited edition strains, and countless freebies.

Social media lights up like a gigantic virtual smoke sesh every April 20th. Instagram and Twitter are flooded with 420-themed memes, photos of elaborate smoke setups, and some really bad weed puns.

Even mainstream brands have gotten in on the 420 action. Fast-food chains offer special 420 menus or deals. Ben & Jerry's, never one to miss a chance to be cool, has been known to campaign for cannabis justice on 4/20.

Many 420 events still focus on activism, pushing for further legalisation, social justice, and clemency for those imprisoned for cannabis offences.

Debunking 420 Myths

Despite the true story being out there, myths about 420's origins still persist. It seems that in the hazy world of cannabis culture, a good story often trumps the truth.

No, 420 is not a police code for marijuana use. That's 11-26. It's not the number of active chemicals in cannabis (there are WAY more than that), and it's definitely not teatime in Amsterdam. 

Some people claim it's Bob Marley's birthday or the date of his death. Nope and nope. The reggae legend was born on February 6 and died on May 11. Though we're sure he'd appreciate the thought.

Another popular myth is that 420 is the California penal code for marijuana use, but that's 11357. 420 in the California penal code actually refers to obstructing entry on public land. Not quite as exciting, is it?

The persistence of these myths speaks to the nature of cannabis culture a bit hazy on the details, but always ready with a good story. And in the end, maybe the myths are part of what makes 420 special. After all, what's a good holiday without a few tall tales?

To Conclude

From a high school treasure hunt to a global phenomenon, 420 has come a long way. It's a testament to the power of cannabis culture and the human ability to turn absolutely anything into a reason to party.

The story of 420 is more than just the tale of how a bunch of high school kids accidentally created an international holiday. It's a snapshot of how counterculture becomes mainstream, how inside jokes become worldwide phenomena, and how a single number can come to represent an entire movement.

420 has been a code word, a protest slogan, a marketing tool, and a celebration. It's been whispered in high school hallways, shouted at legalisation rallies, and hash tagged millions of times on social media. It's sparked political movements, business empires, and countless joints.

As cannabis continues its journey from illicit substance to the mainstream, 420 serves as a reminder of where we've come from and where we're going. It's a day to celebrate progress, push for further change, and yes, enjoy a little (or a lot) of everyone’s favourite herb.

So next time 4:20 rolls around, take a moment to appreciate the rich history behind those three little numbers. Think about the Waldos and their treasure hunt, the Grateful Dead and their unwitting role in spreading the code, and all the activists and enthusiasts who've kept the 420 spirit alive over the decades.

And maybe, just maybe, spark one up for the Waldos. After all, if it weren't for them, we might be celebrating 731 or 112 instead. And let's face it, those just don't have the same ring to them.