The term 4/20 is a code-word that refers to the consumption of cannabis, specifically smoking cannabis around the time 4:20 p.m. and also refers to cannabis-oriented celebrations taking place annually on April 20th (which is 4/20 in U.S. form).
Origins of 4/20
The origin of the term 4/20 dates back to the 1970s in Marin County, California. A group of five high school students known as the “Waldos”, because of their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school, coined the term in 1971. The Waldos would meet at a statue of Louis Pasteur on the grounds of San Rafael High School at 4:20 p.m. to partake in a cannabis consumption session. The specific time was chosen because it was considered an optimum time: it was after school, yet before their parents got home from work.
The phrase “420 Louis” was initially used to remind each other of their plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop which they had learned about. The code initially represented the time of day they would meet to begin their search for the crop. Eventually, this morphed into a code the group used for marijuana smoking in general.
The Spread of 4/20
The phrase spread beyond their group and school, primarily due to connections to the Grateful Dead and the counter-culture movement of the time. One of the original members of the Waldos, Mark Gravich’s brother was good friends with Phil Lesh, the bassist of the Grateful Dead. The Waldos had numerous adventures and connections with the band which led to the term 420 being used in the Dead community.
Once High Times, a monthly magazine dedicated to the marijuana counterculture, picked up on the term, 4/20’s connotation spread worldwide. The magazine published the story of the Waldos in the 90’s and began incorporating the term into their publication and events, solidifying its association with marijuana culture.
The Significance of 4/20
In present day, 4/20 now serves as a sort of “holiday” for marijuana enthusiasts. People gather to smoke marijuana at 4:20 p.m and there are also bigger celebrations and events held worldwide on April 20th, showcasing the sociocultural impact of cannabis. It’s not just a celebration of cannabis but also a platform for the continuing struggle for its full legalization and recognition of its potential medical usage.
In Summary
In summary, the term 4/20 has significant cultural relevance, particularly among those who consume cannabis. From its humble beginnings in a high school in California, the term and the culture has spread worldwide, symbolizing the persistence of the cannabis culture in the face of legal and social challenges.