What is the meaning of “420” in cannabis culture

Did you know there are over 1,200 slang terms for marijuana? According to our sources (i.e. Google), that’s right. And in addition, there are another 400-500 slang terms that describe getting high. Probably the main reason why there are so many slang terms for pot is the plant’s long history of being illegal; those who used marijuana didn’t want to get caught, so they made up a bunch of specific phrases and words to effectively speak in code.

Of course, the daddy of all slang terms for pot is “420”. But where did this numerical moniker come from, and why does it now refer to the official “pot holiday”?

What does 420 mean and how does it relate to weed?

Like many good stories about pot, the history of 420 begins with a group of California high school kids in the 1970s. Legend has it that a group of stoners from San Rafael High School (known as the “Waldos”) began smoking pot in front of the school’s Louis Pasteur statue every day after school.

In an interview with magazine High Times, Steve Capper, one of the original “Waldos,” explained how he and his friends would set out each afternoon on a treasure hunt to find a fabled patch of government-planted marijuana on California’s rugged central coast. Their official meeting time was every day after school at 4:20 p.m. in front of the Pasteur statue.

The term “420” caught on and reportedly spread like wildfire among fans of the Grateful Dead, aka Deadheads, years later. One of the original Waldos had a close relationship with Phil Lesh, bassist for the Grateful Dead, and the band eventually adopted the term, started using it on tour, and the rest is history.

Why we still associate 420 with cannabis

Going back to the whole basis of this article and where the term “420” first came from, how is it that such an innocent code name among high school friends over 50 years ago has become the biggest and most popular slang term for marijuana of all time?

Well, like a variety of premium cannabis, it simply took hold and grew organically.

San Rafael High School (located just north of San Francisco) in Marin County, California was basically ground zero for cannabis popularity in the 1970s. They didn’t know it then, but The Waldos were part of a massive counterculture movement that would eventually inspire cannabis-related social and political events for generations to come. It turns out that the iconic term “420” was just one of countless movements that eventually influenced global cannabis culture.

Today, the “420 holiday” is more popular than ever. For example, the pot-filled streets of Denver are home to the three-day “420 on the Block” music and marijuana festival, which draws more than 15,000 people each year. Even in London, where cannabis isn’t legal at all, thousands gather in Hyde Park every year to celebrate 4/20.

Don’t fall for these myths about 420 and cannabis

Now that you know the true meaning of 420, let’s take a moment to debunk some myths about marijuana and the iconic date of April 20.

Hitler’s birthday

One of the most bizarre suggestions is that 420 refers to Adolf Hitler’s birthday. It’s a fair enough suggestion, as the evil dictator was born on April 20, but there is absolutely no evidence that Hitler ever used marijuana. LOL

Remembering Bob Marley

Since this is the cultural icon of almost all stoners, it makes sense that people instinctively associate “420” with Bob Marley. However, the notion that 4/20 commemorates Marley’s death or birth is a complete myth. In fact, he was born on February 6, 1945 and died on May 11, 1981, and neither the time of his death nor the time of his birth was 4:20 (morning or evening).

Police code

A few of the more reasonable explanations for the origin of “420” have to do with obscure cannabis laws. One rumor has it that “420” was the original radio call used by California police officers to describe marijuana possession. However, there is no evidence that 420 was ever a criminal code in any police department, California or otherwise.

Bob Dylan’s song

In the song “Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35”, Dylan repeatedly says, “Everybody must get stoned!” (Everyone must get stoned). If you multiply 12 x 35, you get 420, but unfortunately that’s probably nothing more than a coincidence. It probably just stems from the human obsession in finding patterns around us.

The number of chemical compounds in cannabis

We hate to bust myths, but 420 is not the number of chemical compounds in marijuana. There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis alone, and the total number of chemicals in the natural marijuana plant is probably over 1,000.

Bill in Congress

It is suggested here that there is (or was) a bill pending in the US Congress, Bill 420, which would legalise cannabis at the federal level. Unfortunately, no such bill exists, and it may be some time before it happens (if it ever does).

Marijuana legalization is changing: Make sure you keep up with the times

Regardless of where exactly the phrase comes from (there is at least one source that refutes Wald’s original story), the fact is that April 20 is a global cannabis holiday. People describe it as “half celebration, half call to action,” and it’s undeniably an ideal time for cannabis fans to engage in local legalization platforms.

In the world it is also customary to have some cannabis at 4:20 am or pm. Which a lot of people do every day. 🙂

Note : 420 is also the area code of the Czech Republic as the legendary Snoopdogg knows. Below you can watch a video where Snoopdogg guesses in a quiz with Martha Stewart :)))

How to get high on 4/20 (marijuana holiday) no matter what state you live in

On April 20, the entire global cannabis community will light up (or otherwise consume) their favorite cannabis strain. Cannabis is now legal in most U.S. states, but if you’re one of the unfortunate ones who lives in a state where cannabis is not used for recreational purposes (for adults), there are still ways to participate in this iconic pot holiday.

One suggestion is to use a legal cannabis-derived product such as delta-8, HHC or THC-O. These unique compounds provide a similar experience compared to standard THC from marijuana, but because they are made from hemp (a legal plant thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill), they can be purchased online and shipped to most US states and even some parts of the world.

According to some data, THC-O is up to three times more potent than delta-9-THC. Delta-8 is generally considered to be about half as potent as THC, while HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is the least potent of the three substances. That being said, all three have the potential to intoxicate you and provide effects that are very similar to THC from “regular” marijuana.

Based on an source : wayofleaf.com