It's a term that has become infamous with cannabis culture, but do you know the true history behind 4/20? Let's take a trip back in time and uncover the origins of this holiday that's celebrated by marijuana enthusiasts around the world.
Back in 1971, five high school students from San Rafael, California, known as the Waldos,
(A self designated name for their group as their common hangout spot was in between a wall & door, really creative bunch) had a plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop based on a treasure map. They designated the Louis Pasteur statue at their school as their meeting place and 4:20 pm as their meeting time. Although they never found the elusive crop, the term "4:20" stuck, becoming a code-word the teens used to refer to consuming cannabis.
Fast forward to the 1990s, when High Times magazine popularized the story of the Waldos. However, they mistakenly attributed the origin of the term to a police code, which led to a snowball of other origin stories. It wasn't until December 1998 that the connection to the Waldos was apparently clarified.
Since then, April 20th has become an international holiday celebrated by weed enthusiasts worldwide. It's a day when events are held to advocate for cannabis legalization, with a mix of celebration.
Interestingly, the number 420 has also gained notoriety beyond cannabis culture. In the US, signs with the number 420 have been frequently stolen, leading to creative measures to deter theft, such as replacing mile marker signs with 419.99 or 68.5, or changing street names from "420 St" to "42x St". However, thefts continue to occur, with some signs even becoming tourist attractions.
In conclusion, the history of 4/20 is a fascinating tale of how a term coined by a group of high school students in the 70s has grown into a global phenomenon celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts worldwide. It's a day of advocacy, celebration, and acceptance, with a hazy history that continues to evolve as the cannabis landscape changes. So, whether you partake in the festivities or not, now you know the story behind the smokers' holiday known as 4/20!
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