420 History and Origins: The True Story Behind the Number

Whether you see it on a clock, a price tag, or an address, 420 means one thing in cannabis culture. But where did this number come from? The true story is surprisingly specific—and the myths are more creative than the reality.

Quick Answer

420 originated in 1971 with five California high school students called "the Waldos" who met at 4:20 PM after sports practice to search for a rumored hidden cannabis crop. They used "420" as code for anything marijuana-related. The term spread through their connection to the Grateful Dead, went national with Deadheads, and became global through High Times magazine in the 1990s.

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Table of Contents

• The True Origin Story
• Meet the Waldos
• How 420 Spread
• Myths and False Origins
• 420 Today
• FAQ

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The True Origin Story

San Rafael, California, 1971

The story begins at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California—a suburb north of San Francisco during the height of counterculture.

The Treasure Map

A friend of the group had a connection: his brother-in-law was growing cannabis on Point Reyes Peninsula, about 30 miles northwest of San Rafael. According to the tale, the grower could no longer tend his crop and had drawn a treasure map to its location.

Why 4:20 PM?

The five friends had different after-school commitments—sports practice, activities, etc. The earliest time they could all meet was 4:20 PM at the Louis Pasteur statue on campus.

The Search

Armed with the treasure map, the group would pile into a car, smoke cannabis on the drive, and search for the fabled free crop. They never found it. But the time—4:20—became their code for everything cannabis.

"420 Louie" became shorthand for "meet at 4:20 at the statue to go search." Eventually it shortened to just "420."

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Meet the Waldos

Why "Waldos"?

The five friends earned their nickname from their preferred hangout spot: a wall outside San Rafael High School. They were the Waldos.

The Five Members

1. Steve Capper (Waldo Steve)

2. Dave Reddix (Waldo Dave)

3. Jeffrey Noel (Waldo Jeffrey)

4. Larry Schwartz (Waldo Larry)

5. Mark Gravitch (Waldo Mark)

Proof of Origin

Unlike most folk etymology, the Waldos have documentary evidence:

• The original treasure map (they still have it)
• Letters from 1971-1972 using "420" in cannabis context
• A 420 flag they made in the early 1970s
• Postmarked letters from the era with 420 references

When High Times investigated the term's origins in the 1990s and 2000s, the Waldos provided physical evidence that predates any other claimed origin.

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How 420 Spread

The Grateful Dead Connection

Here's where the story gets interesting. The Waldos weren't just random teenagers—they had connections to the Grateful Dead:

• Dave Reddix's older brother managed a Dead sideband
• Mark Gravitch's father handled real estate for the Dead
• The Waldos hung around Dead rehearsals and parties

From Local to National

The Waldos used 420 freely around Dead-associated people. Deadheads—fans who followed the Grateful Dead across the country—picked up the term. As the Dead toured constantly through the 1970s and 1980s, so did 420.

High Times Magazine

The term remained largely underground until High Times magazine got involved:

1991: A Deadhead reportedly handed a High Times reporter a flyer at a Dead concert inviting people to smoke at 4:20 on April 20th.

1997: High Times credited the Bebes (another group claiming origin) for the term.

1998: The Waldos came forward with evidence proving their origin predated all others.

2003: High Times officially credited the Waldos as the originators.

Going Global

Once High Times publicized the story, 420 exploded:

• April 20th became an unofficial cannabis holiday
• 4:20 became the designated time to smoke
• The number appeared in countless cannabis products, prices, and references
• Movies, TV shows, and music incorporated the number

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Myths and False Origins

Several myths about 420's origin persist. None are true.

Myth: Police Code 420

The claim: 420 is a police radio code for marijuana possession in progress.

The truth: There is no police code 420 for marijuana anywhere in the United States. The California penal code's Section 420 relates to obstructing entry to public land.

Myth: Bob Dylan Connection

The claim: From Bob Dylan's song "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" (12 × 35 = 420), with its "Everybody must get stoned" refrain.

The truth: Creative math, but no connection. The Waldos had nothing to do with Dylan, and the term emerged from their specific ritual.

Myth: Chemical Compounds

The claim: There are 420 chemical compounds in cannabis.

The truth: The number varies depending on how you count, but it's not 420. Cannabis contains 400-500+ compounds, with 100+ cannabinoids alone.

Myth: April 20th Events

The claim: Various historical events on April 20th inspired the term.

The truth: April 20th became significant because of 4/20, not the other way around. No historical event created the association.

Myth: Tea Time

The claim: 4:20 is traditional tea time (and "tea" was slang for marijuana).

The truth: Afternoon tea is traditionally 4:00, and this explanation has no documented origin.

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420 Today

April 20th

What started as an inside joke among five California teenagers is now a global cannabis holiday:

• Rallies and gatherings in cities worldwide
• Cannabis deals at dispensaries
• Advocacy events for legalization
• Community celebrations in legal markets

Major 420 gatherings happen at:

• Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
• Hippie Hill, San Francisco
• Parliament Hill, Ottawa
• Hyde Park, London
• Various locations in Denver, Seattle, Portland

4:20 PM

The daily observance continues. Many cannabis users acknowledge 4:20 PM—whether by checking the time or actively partaking.

Cultural References

420 has permeated mainstream culture:

• Price tags: $4.20 or $420 pricing
• Addresses: Intentional 420 building numbers
• Movies: Countless films reference the number
• Products: Cannabis brands incorporate 420
• Easter eggs: Video games, TV shows, and software include 420 references

The Waldos Today

The original Waldos are now in their 60s. They've given interviews, appeared in documentaries, and maintain a website (waldos420.com) documenting their role in cannabis history.

They've never sought to trademark or monetize "420"—they simply wanted credit for their creation.

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The Legacy

More Than a Number

420 represents several things:

Counterculture identity: A way to signal cannabis affinity

Community: Shared language among enthusiasts

Rebellion: Originally, coded language to avoid detection

Normalization: Now used openly as cannabis becomes mainstream

From Code to Mainstream

The evolution of 420 mirrors cannabis culture's broader journey:

1. 1970s: Secret code among friends

2. 1980s: Spread through Deadhead community

3. 1990s: Published by High Times, went mainstream

4. 2000s: Internet amplification

5. 2010s-2020s: Legal markets openly embrace the number

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FAQ

Why is 420 associated with weed?

In 1971, five California high schoolers called the Waldos met at 4:20 PM after sports practice to search for a rumored hidden cannabis crop on Point Reyes Peninsula. The time became their code for all things marijuana.

Is 420 a police code for marijuana?

No, this is a myth. There is no police code 420 for marijuana anywhere in the United States. The true origin is the five Waldos in San Rafael, California.

When is 420?

April 20th (4/20) is the unofficial cannabis holiday celebrated worldwide. 4:20 PM is the daily celebration time. Both stem from the original Waldos meeting time at San Rafael High School.

Who are the Waldos?

Five friends from San Rafael High School in California who coined the term in 1971: Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravitch. They hung out by a wall, hence "Waldos."

How did 420 spread globally?

The Waldos had connections to the Grateful Dead through family and friends. Deadheads picked up the term and spread it through national tours. High Times magazine popularized it in the 1990s, making it globally known.

Did the Waldos ever find the cannabis crop?

No. Despite multiple searches with their treasure map, they never found the rumored cannabis grow. But their search gave cannabis culture its most famous number.

Is 420 trademarked?

No. The Waldos have never attempted to trademark or monetize the term. It remains free for anyone to use.

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Conclusion

The true story of 420 is simpler and more documented than the myths suggest. Five California teenagers, a treasure map, a meeting time, and some Grateful Dead connections created cannabis culture's most recognizable number.

From a high school wall in San Rafael to global recognition, 420 embodies how cannabis culture spreads—through community, shared language, and a touch of counterculture spirit.

So the next time you notice 4:20 on the clock, you'll know exactly who to thank: the Waldos.