The 420 Origin Story: How April 20th Became a Cannabis Celebration Day

Smoker or not, we’re all aware of 420, the unofficial holiday where everything cannabis is celebrated. But have you ever stopped to think about how your fav day came to be? Settle in, because we’re going back in time to discover the history of 420.

420 Speculation

The history of cannabis celebration day is a bit…hazy, so to speak. There’s a lot of speculation all over the internet and social media over how it originated. Some have claimed it’s from the police code for possession. Some say it comes from the number of active chemicals in cannabis. Others believe it came from a song from a legendary singer-songwriter. But none of those stories have proven to be true.

The Real 420 Origin

So, what’s the real tea about the birth of 420? It all started at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California in 1971 with a group of five cannabis-lovin’ students who called themselves the “Waldos” for where they sat at their school. 

In the fall of that same year, the Waldos learned of an abandoned cannabis plant in the woods and were given a map leading to the product (allegedly by the plant’s owner). Each day after classes and football practice, they’d meet up at the Louis Pasteur statue outside their high school to smoke a joint and search for the free herb. And the time they met up? 4:20 PM, of course.

They’d use the term 4:20-Louis to refer to the meet-up time and place, later shortened to 4:20, so they could discuss cannabis without their parents or teachers knowing what they were talking about.

And what about that elusive, free weed? Despite several treasure hunts, the Waldos never found it. But as it turns out, they made history instead. Pretty epic for a group of high schoolers, if you ask us.

The History of 420’s Popularity

That explains 420’s origins, but you’re probably wondering how the phrase gained popularity. After all, it was a well-kept secret among some teens in Northern California. You can thank the rock band, Grateful Dead for that. The brother of one of the Waldos was a close friend of their bassist, leading the group to hang out in the band’s circle. The band began to use the Waldos’ phrase, and “420” spread throughout their community.

But the widespread recognition of 420 didn’t happen overnight. For that, we’re actually going to jump to the 1990s. Steven Bloom, a reporter for the cannabis magazine High Times was at one of the band’s concerts and was handed a flier, telling people to “Meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Bridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais.” High Times published it, and the rest is history!

Who specifically deserves bragging rights for 420’s origin? It depends on who you ask. The Waldos coined the term, the Grateful Dead popularized the slang, the unknown flier makers helped spread the 420 word, and Steven Bloom told the world. That’s one group project we can actually get on board with.

How 420’s Origin is Celebrated

The history of 420 is celebrated differently all over the globe, but the one thing that always remains: some sweet herb. Golden Gate Park’s Hippie Hill in San Francisco has thousands gathered each year for a huge 4/20 event. The Mile High 420 Festival in Denver features live music, food trucks, and vendors selling tons of cannabis-related merch—and it’s FREE. It’s no wonder the festival is known as one of the largest 420 origin celebrations in the entire world. Some breweries even make 420-themed beer in honor of the special holiday. Lagunitas Brewing in Petaluma, California releases their “Waldos’ Special Ale” every year on 4/20 in partnership with the real Waldos. You’ll find tons of music festivals and smoke-outs all over the globe, from Vancouver to London. 

Celebrate the 420 origin, aka stoner holiday, with your own 420 lineup of artistic bongs, custom dab rigs, and vapes from StayLit Design. Our custom-wrapped vape skins and cute smoking accessories take things to new levels with their unique, eye-catching designs. Shop now!