Celebrating the 420 Phenomena
How a Time of Day Grew to Be a Beloved Cannabis Holiday
When you hear 4-20, what comes to mind?
Cannabis.
Pretty wild, right? 4:20 may be the most iconic and popular timestamp in the country…other than 5 o’clock. In my lifetime, the term 420 has always been synonymous with cannabis and enjoying cannabis. A time to smoke one. A secret code for discrete cannabis lovers. And now a modern rallying cry for legalization. I have a co-worker who announces to the entire office every day when the clock strikes 4:20 PM. It’s…a THING.
But have you ever wondered why? Why this particular (seemingly random) time became forever a symbol for not only cannabis itself but an entire movement and cannabis culture? I did a little digging, and it turns out the origin story of 420 is as hazy (pun intended) as you might expect.
Wait, So Why “420?”
Whatever it is,I have to admit, before this year I had never heard of this “Waldos” origin story. But honestly, it sounds as likely as anything else. The Waldos were a self-named group of highschool friends at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California. In 1971, Steve Waldo was given a treasure map made by a US Coast Guard officer that showed the way to a secret crop of cannabis plants. Legend has it that Waldo and his friends met at 4:20pm to smoke weed before heading out to Point Reyes in search of a lost crop. It’s unclear whether or not they actually found these clandestine cannabis plants, but there was one thing that did stick. From that day on, the Waldos would meet at 4:20pm to smoke weed together after their extracurricular activities were done for the day. They used the time “420” as a code word to talk about meeting up after school and hide what they were actually doing from the prying ears.
Since birds of a feather smoke together, use of 420 as a code for getting high spread throughout their community. Over time, friends and other cannabis lovers adopted 420 as a shared shorthand. Now, 420 is synonymous with a global community of cannabis culture and consumption.
420 Today
If I could tell my late grandmother that I’m able to search for a 420-friendly Airbnb she wouldn’t believe me. Today, 420 is a quick way to show that your event, venue, or business is cannabis friendly. It’s pretty wild the change in perception and acceptance cannabis has been through in just the last century - from Cannabis being demonized as a gateway drug, to the war on drugs, to now being able to legally purchase recreational cannabis in certain states.
The term 420 has also grown and shifted in its cultural significance and social acceptance. Celebrities and pop culture helped bring cannabis into the mainstream zeitgeist. The Grateful Dead were famous for their cannabis-loving fan base in San Francisco. Dead Heads have been cultivating a safe haven for cannabis lovers at concerts for decades. Their jam-band community followed the band across the country, spreading peace, love, and cannabis. Cheech and Chong, Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, and other famous public figures whose lyrics and public personas have helped normalize cannabis use are forever cemented into the cannabis pop-culture canon.
420 has also become a call to action. As more and more people became aware of and invested in the politics and social stigmas surrounding cannabis, the term 420 has been used at rallies and protests in the ongoing fight for the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. For all those who have been or are currently incarcerated for cannabis possession and use, April 20th is a day to remember the importance of continuing to advocate for justice and equity in the cannabis industry.
Celebrating the 420 Holiday
Let’s be real, at this point, April 20th is basically an official holiday. 4.20 is a time for the cannabis community across the country to celebrate. In states where recreational cannabis has been legalized, the party continues all weekend, with music, swag, and lots of smoke clouds. 420 festivals have grown from underground parties to city sanctioned events. I personally know more than one friend who requests April 20th off work every year.
Some of the biggest cannabis events include the High Times Cannabis Cup, one of the longest-running celebrations that take place in multiple locations throughout the year. There’s also the Denver Mile High 420 Fest, Hippie Hill in San Francisco, or the Smokey River 420 Festival in River Bend, Missouri - which just legalized recreational use in 2022. My guess is that you also have many local festivals happening in your hometown. So, if you’re planning to get out there this year, here are a few tips for having the best 420.
- Make sure to familiarize yourself with your local cannabis laws and follow them. No one wants to ruin the good vibes on a technicality.
- If you’re going someplace crowded, designate a meet up spot if someone gets lost or separated. This is a good rule of thumb for any group outing.
- Stay hydrated, wear sunblock, and bring the good vibes! (I’m personally a fan of bringing bubbles. Everyone likes bubbles.)
The 420 Effect
So why the enduring love of 420? Well let’s be honest…the truth is that it’s not really the plant that we love, it’s the effects. When it comes down to it, the effects of this amazing plant are what impact us the most. Cannabis can help get us out of an emotional rut. It can elevate a moment into something vibrant. Cannabis helps us tap into our creativity and connect with others.
It’s the way we feel when we find the doses that make us feel our best. This is what makes this plant so magical. This complex plant is loaded with cannabinoids and terpenes that work naturally with our bodies, infusing our lives with a little boost. A little more fun. A little less anxiety. Many of us love cannabis over other heavier synthetic pain medications. Cannabis is a natural pain reliever that works with our own endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation in the body and relieve pain.
Whatever your cannabis journey, the most important part is YOU. Finding your perfect dose empowers you and allows you to personalize your cannabis use - so you get the most of what mother nature has to offer. Everyone’s body is different, so is your dose. That’s why midose. products are designed to put you in the driver's seat, with smaller controlled doses, so you can start small and build up until you find your favorite dose.