What Is 420? The Real History, Meaning, and Why It Still Matters Today
- Jose Buitrago
- Apr 19
- 6 min read
Every year on April 20th, cannabis culture takes center stage.
You’ll see “Happy 420” across social media, dispensaries running promotions, smoke shops packed with customers, and communities gathering to celebrate cannabis culture, advocacy, and progress.
But most people—even people who actively participate—don’t actually know where 420 came from.
Some think it’s a police code. Some believe it started with Bob Marley. Others assume it has something to do with the number of compounds in cannabis.
None of those are true.
The real history of 420 is much more interesting—and much more important.
It started with a group of high school friends in California, turned into a secret code, spread through the Grateful Dead community, and eventually became one of the most recognized symbols in cannabis culture worldwide.
Today, 420 is more than a number.
It represents culture, community, education, reform, wellness, business growth, and for many people, a continued push toward fairness and cannabis justice.
Let’s break down the real story.
Where Did 420 Come From?
The Real Origin: The Waldos (1971)
Photo shows a number of photos from the early 1970s showing the Waldos that are stored in their bank vault in San Francisco.
The most widely verified origin of 420 traces back to 1971 in San Rafael, California, with a group of five high school students who called themselves The Waldos.
Their names were:
Steve Capper
Dave Reddix
Jeffrey Noel
Larry Schwartz
Mark Gravitch
They were friends at San Rafael High School and often met near a wall outside campus—hence the nickname “The Waldos.”
Mark Gravitch, Larry Schwartz, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel and Steve Capper at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, Calif.
One day, they heard about an abandoned cannabis grow somewhere near Point Reyes Peninsula.
The story was that a Coast Guard service member could no longer tend the crop and had left behind a hidden patch of plants.
The group decided they would try to find it.
Their meeting time?
4:20 PM
They chose that time because school sports and extracurriculars were usually over by then, and it was the easiest time for everyone to meet.
Their phrase became:
“420 Louis”
This referred to 4:20 PM at the Louis Pasteur statue on campus, where they would meet before heading out to search for the crop.
Eventually, it got shortened to simply:
“420”
Even though they never found the legendary grow, the code stuck.
It became their private shorthand for cannabis.
Instead of saying “let’s smoke,” they would just say:
“420?”
And everyone knew exactly what it meant.
How 420 Spread Beyond Their Friend Group
The Grateful Dead Connection
This is where things get interesting.
One of the Waldos had family connections to people involved with the Grateful Dead, the legendary rock band deeply connected to cannabis culture.
Because of those connections, the term “420” started circulating within the Grateful Dead’s extended community.
That mattered.
The Grateful Dead had one of the most dedicated traveling fan communities in music history.
As fans moved from city to city, so did the slang.
Eventually, “420” started appearing on flyers and being used more publicly.
One famous example was a flyer handed out before a Grateful Dead concert in the early 1990s encouraging people to gather and smoke at 4:20 PM on April 20th.
That helped transform 420 from private slang into a public cannabis symbol.
How 420 Became a National Symbol
High Times Magazine Helped Spread It
One of the biggest reasons 420 became mainstream was High Times Magazine, one of the most influential cannabis publications in history.
After seeing the Grateful Dead flyer, High Times began publishing and using the term.
This original 420 flyer was handed out in the parking lot at the Oakland Coliseum in December 1990.
Once that happened, 420 spread fast.
It moved from local slang to national cannabis culture.
Then it became global.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s:
April 20 became “Cannabis Christmas”
4:20 PM became a recognized smoke session time
“Happy 420” became part of the culture
And it never slowed down.
Common Myths About 420 (That Aren’t True)
There are a lot of fake stories about 420.
Let’s clear them up.
Myth #1: It’s a Police Code
Not true.
There is no universal police code “420” that means cannabis use.
This is one of the most common myths, but it’s false.
Myth #2: It Comes From Bob Marley’s Birthday
Also false.
Bob Marley was born on February 6, not April 20.
He remains an icon in cannabis culture, but he didn’t create 420.
Myth #3: It Refers to the Number of Chemicals in Cannabis
Nope.
Cannabis contains hundreds of compounds and cannabinoids, not exactly 420.
This one is just internet mythology.
What 420 Means Today
420 is no longer just about smoking.
It represents several things:
1. Cannabis Culture
420 is part of identity and community.
It represents decades of culture, music, creativity, art, and lifestyle built around cannabis.
2. Advocacy and Reform
For many people, 420 is also political.
It’s about legalization, decriminalization, expungement, and correcting the damage caused by outdated cannabis laws.
Many people use April 20 to raise awareness for those still incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses while others legally profit from the same plant.
That conversation matters.
A lot.
3. Hemp and Wellness
Today, 420 also connects to hemp wellness and education.
CBD, CBG, CBN, hemp beverages, topicals, wellness routines, and non-intoxicating plant support are now part of the broader cannabis conversation.
Not everyone celebrating 420 is looking for intoxication.
Some are focused on:
recovery
sleep
stress support
mindfulness
wellness routines
education around cannabinoids
That’s part of modern cannabis culture too.
How 420 Is Celebrated Today
Community Events
People gather to smoke marijuana during the "420 Toronto" rally in Toronto on Wednesday, April 20, 2016.
Many cities host:
festivals
concerts
vendor markets
educational panels
wellness pop-ups
cannabis expos
yoga + consumption events
social equity fundraisers
420 has become both celebration and community gathering.
Retail Promotions
Smoke shops, hemp stores, and wellness brands often run:
20% off promotions
curated bundles
impact boxes
giveaways
education campaigns
product launches
For brands, it’s one of the biggest awareness opportunities of the year.
Advocacy Campaigns
Many organizations use 420 to push:
clemency efforts
expungement awareness
cannabis prisoner support
hemp policy reform
social equity education
This is where celebration and responsibility meet.
Ways to Celebrate 420 (Without It Feeling Forced)
420 doesn’t have to mean doing more — sometimes it means being more intentional.
Whether you celebrate through education, community, wellness, or simply slowing down, the goal is the same: connection.
Here are a few meaningful ways to celebrate.
Learn Something New
Read about:
cannabinoids
COAs (Certificates of Analysis)
hemp laws
product safety
cannabis history
Education is part of the culture.
The more you understand the plant, the better your relationship with it becomes.
Support Ethical Brands
Choose companies that focus on:
transparency
lab-tested products
real education
community impact
social responsibility
Not just hype.
Support brands that care about more than sales.
Shop Intentionally
420 is one of the best times to upgrade your wellness routine—not by buying more, but by choosing better.
That could mean:
quality papers and wraps
trusted hemp products
sleep or recovery support
curated wellness accessories
monthly subscription boxes built around purpose
Because better routines start with better products.
Give Back
Support nonprofits working in:
criminal justice reform
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform.
cannabis prisoner advocacy
community wellness
hemp education
420 can be celebration and impact at the same time.
Slow Down
Sometimes the best way to celebrate is simple.
Take a walk.Listen to music.Reflect.Reset.Create a better routine.
420 doesn’t have to be loud.
Sometimes it’s just intentional.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Holiday
420 started with five teenagers looking for a hidden grow in California.
It became a code.Then a movement.Then a global symbol.
Today, it represents much more than cannabis.
It stands for:
culture
education
reform
wellness
community
And it reminds us how far the industry has come—and how much work is still remains.
Because while legalization expands, thousands still remain incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses.
While billion-dollar companies grow, legacy operators and small businesses continue fighting for space.
420 is celebration.
But it should also be awareness.
At Canna Care Package, we believe wellness includes education, culture, and impact.
Because better products start with better understanding.
Happy 420 🌿
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