420 Myth-Busting
April 20th, or 4/20, marks a worldwide celebration of marijuana. As the clock strikes 4:20, cannabis enthusiasts gather with friends to smoke, often participating in this ritual.
Advocates and retailers also use this day to promote calls for changes in cannabis laws and to sell more weed-related products. However, what are the origins of 420? Where did it come from? Many myths and theories surround this date, with explanations ranging from the intricate to the absurd.
We are here to do some 420 myth-busting and set the record straight once and for all. If you don’t know the truth, you’re about to find out. Here are some widely held but incorrect beliefs about the origin of "420" or "weedmas":
- 420 comes from a Bob Dylan song.
- There are 420 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
- 420 is a police code for "cannabis smoking in progress."
- April 20th is the date Bob Marley died.
- The Grateful Dead always stayed in a hotel room numbered 420.
- Amsterdam teatime is at 4:20 p.m.
What is the Truth Behind 420?
The true story is much less exciting and dates back to 1971. A group of five high school friends in San Rafael, California, who called themselves "the Waldos," heard a rumor about a forgotten stash of cannabis plants in Point Reyes forest. Excited by the idea of finding it, the Waldos planned to track down the plants.
Since each Waldo was a student-athlete, their treasure hunt couldn’t begin until after sports practice, which ended at 4:20. Legend has it that on the first day of their search, the five friends whispered "4:20" to each other in the hallways as a reminder.
They assembled at the statue of Louis Pasteur and drove off in a '66 Chevy Impala, blazing through the forest. Although their quest may have been unsuccessful—they searched for weeks—their little excursion has evolved into a global cannabis celebration.
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Liz Filmer
