The Origin of 420

Today is one of the most celebrated dates in the cannabis industry. On 420, also known as Weed Day, people around the world get together to appreciate cannabis. Although most people have probably heard the phrase 420 or know about the holiday, many are unsure about the meaning and origin of 420. While there are multiple theories into the origin of 420, one is a bit more believable than others.

Origin Theories

While some believe that 420 is linked to the number of active chemicals in cannabis, others claim it was a police code for “cannabis smoking in progress” that originated from the 1970s. Some are even convinced that 420 is a reference to the deaths of music icons, such as Bob Marley or Jimi Hendrix who have been affiliated with cannabis consumption. Despite these speculations, its origin may be even more complex.

The most likely origin of 420 has been traced back to 1971. It is believed that it began as a code word used by a group of 5 friends to indicate the time, 4:20 p.m., that they would meet up to smoke cannabis. The friends all lived in San Rafael, CA and gave themselves the name The Waldos.

The Waldos and the Origin of 420

The Waldos used 420 as a secret code word to discuss the time they would smoke together and hunt for a mysterious “lost cannabis patch” hidden somewhere in the nearby forests of California. In 1970, the band the Grateful Dead had moved to San Rafael, and the Waldos quickly started showing up at their rehearsals, concerts, and parties.

Once the band members started using the 420 code word, it spread through the community rapidly, eventually reaching an international crowd. Though they never found it, the Waldos code word inadvertently became the infamous origin of 420. Although the term originally specified a particular time of day, it soon came to be a more general reference to cannabis.

Newspaper reveals origins of 420 — A copy of the San Rafael High School newspaper with a 420 reference.
(Credit: Carly Schwartz)

Spreading Internationally

In Christmas 1990 in Oakland, CA Steven Bloom, a reporter for High Times Magazine, came across the term 420 for the very first time. When he approached a parking lot full of people waiting to attend a Grateful Dead concert, he saw a yellow flyer reading:“We are going to meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing!”

This flyer was eventually published in High Times Magazine in May 1991 and brought national attention to 420. Noting the popularity of the term 420, High Times Magazine even purchased the web domain 420.com in the beginning of the 1990s.

It did not take long for the term 420 to spread throughout the State of California and the country. By the early 1990s it was everywhere, even overseas. While some credit the media’s involvement for the spread of the term 420, others claim the Grateful Dead and the Waldos played an essential role in spreading the term as they traveled internationally throughout the 1970s and 1980s. However the case, the underground code word ultimately became a worldwide “weed holiday.”

420 in 2021

Though many have gone virtual this year, there are thousands of 420 events and celebrations in the United States and around the world. While people once feared that 420 celebrations would encourage unlawful activities, the date now has less negative connotations. As legalization spreads, cannabis and its culture are becoming more and more accepted – and 420 celebrations are only going to get bigger.

Happy 420 from Sapphire Risk Advisory Group!

Let us help you celebrate 420 by ensuring your cannabis business is secure! Tony Gallo and the team at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group have over 30 years of combined security experience and expertise. Schedule a risk assessment with our security experts to ensure your cannabis security is efficient and effective. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with current cannabis security news and trends!