The Evolution of 4/20: From Underground Code to Mainstream Celebration
The Evolution of 4/20: From Underground Code to Mainstream Celebration
The story of 4/20 and its origins with the Waldos is one that has captured the imagination of cannabis enthusiasts around the world. What started as a joke between five high schoolers has now become a worldwide phenomenon associated with cannabis use and activism.
It all began in the fall of 1971 when five high school students in San Rafael, California, known as the Waldos, hatched a plan to search for a rumoured abandoned cannabis crop. The Waldos agreed to meet at 4:20 pm every day to search for the elusive stash, using the code phrase "420 Louis" to remind each other of their daily rendezvous.
Although they never found the fabled crop, their secret code phrase and meeting time took on a life of its own, eventually evolving into the cultural phenomenon we now know as 4/20. Today, the legacy of the Waldos lives on through the millions of people around the world who celebrate 4/20 as a day to come together and celebrate the culture surrounding cannabis.
From small gatherings of friends to massive festivals and events, 4/20 has become a global celebration of all things cannabis.
420 Louis: The secret code that became a cultural phenomenon
The members of the Waldos, Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich called themselves "The Waldos" because they sat atop a wall in the middle of their school's campus making incessant jokes, speaking in their own secret language and creating their own code words.
The Waldos had been given a treasure map to a cannabis patch on the Point Reyes Peninsula by a friend whose brother was in the U.S. Coast Guard and was growing the plants. So, every day, the Waldos agreed to meet at the Louis Pasteur statue in front of their school at 4:20 pm, which they referred to as “420 Louis”, to search for the lost crop.
Eventually, Louis was dropped from the phrase, and the Waldos adopted 420 as a universal code for cannabis use. Though they never found the elusive crop, the term "420" eventually spread through San Rafael-area high schools and beyond. This grassroots movement began to take shape, and the term slowly spread to other parts of California in the 70s and 80s.
Rock and roll high: The Grateful Dead's legacy with 4/20
The spread of 4/20 was given a major boost by the Grateful Dead, a legendary psychedelic rock band from Palo Alto, California. The Dead were known to be big proponents of cannabis use and had a loyal following of dedicated fans. Dave Reddix's brother worked as a roadie for the band, and the Waldos claim the Grateful Dead helped popularize the term "420" in the early 1990s.
On December 28, 1990, a Deadhead handed out flyers at a concert inviting people to get together and smoke "420" at 4:20 pm on April 20th. This flyer is considered to be the first official announcement of 4/20 and acted as a call to arms for cannabis users across the country.
One of the recipients was Steven Bloom, a former reporter for High Times magazine, who then helped spread the term and the associated date and time as the police code for cannabis smoking in progress. Although this police code was incorrect, the High Times article helped to spread the phrase and cement 4/20 as an iconic celebration of cannabis culture.
By the late 90s and early 2000s, 4/20 had become an established phrase in cannabis culture and began to spread around the world. Today it's celebrated as a global holiday honouring cannabis use and activism.
4/20 goes mainstream: Celebrating cannabis culture in Canada
For Canadians, the legalization of cannabis for recreational use in 2018 brought a new dimension to the celebration of 4/20. Though the renegade days of public smoking are in the past, the holiday is still an important event for cannabis enthusiasts and activists.
Thousands of people attend 4/20 events around the country to celebrate their love of cannabis with like-minded individuals. From music festivals to educational seminars, these events showcase the diversity of the cannabis industry and promote its positive impact on society.
If you're in Vancouver, get the festivities started early with the 4/20 Palindrome event at the Beaumont Studios on April 19th, featuring live art shows, music and great cannabis. And on April 20th, head over to Book Club's 4/20 Block Party for a day of live music, dab bars and a Mexican feast.
No matter where you are in the country, it is truly a time to come together and commemorate how far we’ve come in the cannabis revolution. 4/20 is a chance to look back at the history of cannabis use and activism while looking forward to a bright future in which cannabis is fully accepted and appreciated.
A puff of history: The legacy of 4/20 lives on
From a small group of high school students in San Rafael to a global phenomenon celebrated by millions, the story of 4/20 is a testament to the enduring power of cannabis culture. It's a day to come together, share our love of cannabis, and reflect on the journey that has led us here.
Whether you're attending a festival, gathering with friends, or simply enjoying some quality time with your favourite strains, take a moment to appreciate the community that has grown around cannabis and the role it plays in our lives.
So, let's raise a joint to 4/20 and the history of cannabis culture that has brought us together. Here's to the future of cannabis and all that lies ahead! Happy 4/20!
