April 20. 4/20. Four Twenty.
What was once a secret code has evolved into the universally recognized national holiday for both experienced and budding cannabis enthusiasts alike. Every year on April 20th people around the world gather to enjoy cannabis; some in small groups, others with tens of thousands of their closest friends. Four twenty is a day for everyone as they come together to celebrate this amazing plant. Some choose to relax and bask in a collective of positive energy, while others take an active political role and work to end the stigmas attached to stoner culture. It’s important to note that these groups are not mutually exclusive. In California, all of their efforts helped push legalization forward.
There are a few different theories behind the origins of 420. One of our favourites comes from right here in California, in Marin County, 1971, to be specific. A group of teenagers known as the “Waldos” claim that they started the 420 ritual. Every day at exactly 4:20 p.m. they would meet to smoke weed together. According to a Time article, the friends met at 4:20 p.m. because their high school let out at 3:00 p.m. and they had sports practice right after school. We can’t help but feel a little nostalgic when we think about the Waldos and their sneaking off to a secluded, quiet spot in nature to enjoy cannabis with their friends.
Another commonly held theory behind 420 is that there are 420 active components in cannabis. However, this myth was debunked by the Dutch Association for Legal Cannabis and Its Constituents as Medicine who identified over 500 active ingredients in the cannabis plant, many of which are common to other plant species. What makes cannabis unique from any other plant is its cannabinoids. Over 70 cannabinoids have been identified so far! The two most common cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
The first possible mention of 420 dates back to 1939. In the Walls of Eryx is a short story written by H.P. Lovecraft and Kenneth Sterling which makes mention of “curious mirage-plants” that cause the narrator to describe a physical and mental state of euphoria around 4:20 p.m. Read the excerpt from the story below. Do you recognize the feeling?
“The outlines of everything shimmered rhythmically, and bright points of light appeared and danced in the same slow, steady tempo. After that the temperature seemed to fluctuate in unison with a peculiar rhythmic drumming. The whole universe seemed to be throbbing in deep, regular pulsations that filled every corner of space and flowed through my body and mind alike. I lost all sense of equilibrium and staggered dizzily, nor did it change things in the least when I shut my eyes and covered my ears with my hands. However, my mind was still clear, and in a very few minutes I realized what had happened.”
The evolution of 420 has been an interesting one, to say the least. The roots of the 420 movement stem from the counterculture era of the 1970s, which has a strong base in Berkeley. We can’t celebrate 420 without paying respect to the hippies and activists who protested and fought for our right to enjoy cannabis freely. Without them, California would never have passed medicinal-use in 1996 and adult-use on January 1 of this year!
We’ve previously looked at cannabis and its progression in to mainstream society. One of the greatest indicators of this progress are cannabis events like the High Time’s Cannabis Cup. This event is happening this weekend in San Bernandino. There will be close to 40,000 attendees; notable musicians such as Nas, Raekwon, and Rick Ross will be performing; and, there will be a wide variety of advocates and professionals there to educate and inform consumers.
Yes, the times certainly have changed. But, what continues to remain, and always will, is the simple fact that cannabis is meant to bring people together. Members of our community have always sought to connect and share the benefits of this beautiful plant with others, and we will continue to do so. No matter how you decide to take part in 420 festivities this Friday, whether with the close group of friends that you’ve been partaking with since bell-bottoms and feathered hair were in-style, or with thousands of people from around the world, enjoy, have fun, be safe, and know that we thank you for being a part of this community that means so much to us.
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