The History of 420: How April 20 Became Cannabis Culture's Holiday

Every cannabis enthusiast knows the number: 420. It's on clocks, calendars, license plates, and t-shirts. April 20 has become cannabis culture's unofficial holiday, celebrated worldwide. But where did 420 actually come from? The true origin story is more interesting than most myths suggest.

Quick Answer

420 originated in 1971 with a group of California high school students called "the Waldos" who would meet at 4:20 PM to search for an abandoned cannabis crop. They used "420" as their secret code word. The term spread through Grateful Dead culture, then High Times magazine, and eventually became a global phenomenon representing cannabis culture.

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The True Origin: The Waldos of San Rafael

The Beginning (1971)

In the fall of 1971, at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California, a group of five friends received a hand-drawn treasure map. The map supposedly led to an abandoned cannabis crop near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station.

The five students:

• Steve Capper
• Dave Reddix
• Jeffrey Noel
• Larry Schwartz
• Mark Gravich

They called themselves "the Waldos" because they hung out by a wall outside their school.

The 4:20 Meet-Up

The Waldos would meet at the Louis Pasteur statue on campus at 4:20 PM after school and sports practice. From there, they'd pile into a '66 Chevy Impala and head out to search for the legendary crop.

Why 4:20? It was simply when their after-school activities ended. Nothing magical about the time itself - just practical scheduling.

The Code Word

They started using "420 Louis" as a reminder code - meet at 4:20 at the Louis Pasteur statue. Eventually, this shortened to just "420" which became their general code word for anything cannabis-related.

Usage examples from the Waldos:

• "420" = Let's smoke
• "Are you 420?" = Do you smoke?
• "420" = Cannabis itself

The Treasure Hunt

Here's the twist: they never found the crop. Week after week, they searched the Point Reyes area, getting high along the way. The treasure remained a mystery, but "420" stuck as their secret code.

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How 420 Spread: The Grateful Dead Connection

The Waldos had a connection to the Grateful Dead that would change everything.

The Dead Heads

Mark Gravich's father managed real estate for the Grateful Dead. Dave Reddix's older brother was close friends with Dead bassist Phil Lesh. This gave the Waldos backstage access to Dead shows.

The Culture Spreads

At Dead concerts and parties, the Waldos used their "420" code. The term spread among Dead fans (Deadheads), who were already a close-knit, cannabis-friendly community.

By the late 1970s-80s, 420 was being used throughout the Deadhead community across the country. Wherever the Dead toured, 420 followed.

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Going Mainstream: High Times Magazine

The 1990s Breakthrough

In 1990, a group of Deadheads in Oakland, California distributed flyers at a Dead show inviting people to smoke "420" at 4:20 PM on April 20. One of these flyers reached High Times magazine editor Steven Hager.

High Times Spreads the Word

Hager began using 420 in the magazine and investigating its origins. High Times popularized the term throughout the cannabis community, though early stories incorrectly attributed various origins.

Common false origin stories:

• Police code for marijuana (not true)
• Number of chemical compounds in cannabis (incorrect)
• Bob Dylan reference (myth)
• Date of Bob Marley's death (wrong - he died May 11)

The Internet Era

The 1990s internet boom accelerated 420's spread. Online cannabis forums and early websites spread the term globally. What started as a high school code word became an international phenomenon.

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Common Myths Debunked

Myth 1: "420 is a Police Code"

False. No police department has ever used 420 as a code for marijuana-related calls. California Penal Code 420 relates to public land trespassing, not cannabis.

Myth 2: "There Are 420 Chemicals in Cannabis"

False. Cannabis contains over 500 compounds, including 100+ cannabinoids. The number 420 has no relation to cannabis chemistry.

Myth 3: "It's Related to Hitler's Birthday"

Unfortunate coincidence. Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, but this has absolutely nothing to do with cannabis culture's 420. The Waldos weren't making any political statement.

Myth 4: "Bob Dylan's 'Rainy Day Women #12 & 35'"

Myth. Some claimed 12 × 35 = 420 references the song with the chorus "everybody must get stoned." Clever math, but not the origin.

Myth 5: "Tea Time in Holland"

Myth. There's no Dutch tradition of smoking cannabis at 4:20.

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The Waldos' Proof

For years, the origin story was disputed. Multiple groups claimed to have invented 420. The Waldos eventually provided proof:

Evidence they produced:

• Letters from the early 1970s referencing "420"
• A 420-decorated flag from 1972
• Postmarked letters and yearbook signatures
• Eyewitness testimonies from that era

In 2012, the Huffington Post extensively investigated and confirmed the Waldos' story as the authentic origin.

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April 20: The Cannabis Holiday

How the Date Became a Holiday

Once 420 was established as cannabis code, April 20 (4/20 in American date format) naturally became a celebration date.

First major 420 gatherings: Late 1980s-early 1990s at UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara.

Modern 420 Celebrations

Today, April 20 features:

Public events:

• Denver's Mile High 420 Festival (largest, 50,000+ attendees)
• San Francisco's Hippie Hill gathering
• Vancouver's annual 420 celebration
• Events across legal cannabis states and countries

4:20 PM tradition: Many cannabis enthusiasts observe the moment at 4:20 PM on April 20 (the "double 420").

Legalization Connection

The push for cannabis legalization has embraced 420 symbolism:

• California Proposition 215 (medical marijuana): Campaign heavily used 420 imagery
• Colorado Amendment 64: Passed November 2012, legalized recreational use
• April 20 rallies have historically been platforms for legalization advocacy

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420 in Popular Culture

References in Media

420 appears everywhere once you start looking:

Movies and TV:

• "Pulp Fiction" - All clocks reportedly show 4:20
• "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" - Score on scoreboard
• Numerous comedy films reference 420

Music:

• Countless song titles and lyrics
• Album art and merchandise

Sports:

• Mile marker 420 signs frequently stolen across America
• Teams have retired jersey number 420 or skipped it entirely

Corporate Acknowledgment

Even mainstream businesses reference 420:

• Gas stations have priced items at $4.20
• Some companies offer 420-themed promotions in legal states
• The stock market occasionally notes 420 price points

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The Waldos Today

The original Waldos are now in their late 60s. They've maintained their friendship and occasionally appear at cannabis events.

Their legacy:

• They never trademarked 420 (it belongs to everyone)
• They've advocated for cannabis reform
• They maintain a website (waldos420.com) documenting the history
• They've been interviewed by major media outlets

No Regrets

The Waldos have expressed pride in their accidental cultural contribution. What started as a treasure hunt for free weed became a global phenomenon.

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420 Culture Today

More Than a Number

420 has evolved beyond just a time or date:

It represents:

• Cannabis culture and community
• Resistance to prohibition
• A shared language among enthusiasts
• Celebration of the plant and lifestyle

International Reach

420 has spread far beyond California:

• Observed in Canada, Netherlands, Jamaica, and UK
• Used in countries where cannabis remains illegal
• Transcends language barriers as a universal cannabis symbol

Commercial Impact

The cannabis industry has embraced 420:

• Major sales day (comparable to Black Friday for retailers)
• Product launches timed to April 20
• Limited edition 420-themed products

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Summary

The story of 420 is a perfect example of how counterculture evolves. A simple meeting time among five California teenagers became:

1. A secret code (1971)

2. Deadhead slang (1970s-80s)

3. Underground cannabis culture term (1990s)

4. Global phenomenon (2000s-present)

5. Commercial and cultural institution (today)

The Waldos never found their treasure - the abandoned cannabis crop remained a mystery. But they created something far more valuable: a symbol that unites cannabis enthusiasts worldwide.

Next time you see a clock hit 4:20, you'll know the real story behind those numbers.

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This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction.