What's the History of 420?
by Jeff Eckenrode, COO and Christine Bryant Darling, marketing director
Quick Answer: The term "420" originated in 1971 when five California high schoolers called The Waldos met at 4:20pm to search for abandoned cannabis plants. The phrase spread through the Grateful Dead touring circuit in the 1980s, then went global after High Times covered it in 1991. Today April 20th is an international cannabis holiday celebrated worldwide!
Finding 4/20: A historical primer from the 1970s to today
It’s 2024, and the cat is out of the bag: 420 is the code-word for cannabis consumption and a rally flag for marijuana legalization throughout the world.
But how did a number as peculiar as 420 become associated with marijuana to begin with? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a wide variety of answers.
Regardless of who coined the term, the team from Hashtag is celebrating on Saturday, April 20 with storewide sales at each of our three locations!
References vary to 420’s history
1970s
In 1971, five California high schoolers who called themselves The Waldos were hunting for some abandoned cannabis plants. They met to plot their search at a designated spot, the Louis Pasteur statue at San Rafael High School.
The time they chose to meet? You could probably guess: 4:20 p.m. They referred to this plan as “4:20 Louis” and, after several failed attempts to find the crop, the phrase was shortened to 4:20, which they ultimately used as a code-word for cannabis use.
1980s
Several of The Waldos had connections to the Grateful Dead: one member’s father managed the band’s real estate; another Waldo’s brother was friends with Dead bassist Phil Lesh and managed a Dead sideband. On tour, cannabis consumption was common.
But due to its illegal nature, codewords were used to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. When joints were passed backstage, the phrase “Hey, 420!” was often heard. The term spread with the band as they toured the country.
But how did 420 gain global recognition as the ultimate cannabis code-word?
1990s
In December 1990, High Times reporter Steven Bloom was wandering through a gathering of hippies before a Grateful Dead concert in Oakland. He was handed a yellow flyer, which read: “We are going to meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais.”
Until that time, Bloom had never heard the term “420” or “420-ing” before, but wrote about it in the May 1991 issue.
From there, the term 420 took off and became the international sensation it is today.
So what’s the significance of 420 today?
Since Bloom’s High Times article hit the magazine racks in 1991, April 20 has become an international counterculture holiday. People around the world gather to celebrate and consume cannabis.
In 2017, journalist Phoebe Judge investigated the term’s origins further, after 420 was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Where can I find Cannabis products for 420?
Whether you’re shopping online or in Redmond, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes cannabis products to help you celebrate 420!
Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.
FAQ The History of 420
Where did the term "420" come from?
The most credible origin story traces back to 1971 in San Rafael, California. A group of five high school friends known as The Waldos would meet at 4:20pm at the Louis Pasteur statue on their school campus to search for a rumored crop of abandoned cannabis plants. They used "4:20 Louis" as their code — which was eventually shortened to just "4:20" and used as general slang for cannabis use. What started as a teenage inside joke became one of the most recognized cultural codes in the world!
How did 420 spread from a local California joke to a global phenomenon?
The Grateful Dead! Several of The Waldos had personal connections to the band — one member's father managed their real estate, and another's brother was close with bassist Phil Lesh. As the Waldos socialized backstage at Dead shows, "Hey, 420!" became a discreet way to pass joints without drawing attention from law enforcement. As the Dead toured across the country, the phrase traveled with them — spreading from their tight-knit touring community to the broader cannabis culture.
How did High Times magazine help make 420 famous?
This is the moment 420 went truly mainstream! In December 1990, High Times reporter Steven Bloom was handed a flyer at a Grateful Dead gathering in Oakland inviting people to meet at 4:20 on April 20th for "420-ing" on Mt. Tamalpais. Bloom had never heard the term before but was intrigued enough to write about it — and his article ran in the May 1991 issue of High Times. From there, the term exploded in popularity and was on its way to becoming the international cannabis code word it is today.
Are there other theories about where 420 came from?
Yes — over the years plenty of alternative origin stories have circulated! Some people claimed it was a police radio code for cannabis violations, others said it referred to the number of chemical compounds in cannabis, and some linked it to Bob Dylan lyrics or other pop culture references. None of these have stood up to historical scrutiny. The Waldos story remains the most credible and well-documented origin, particularly after journalist Phoebe Judge investigated it further in 2017 — the year 420 was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary!
When did April 20th become an official cannabis holiday?
April 20th evolved organically into an international cannabis celebration following the 1991 High Times article. There was no single moment when it became "official" — it grew through counterculture, word of mouth, and annual gatherings around the world. Today it's recognized globally as a day when cannabis consumers celebrate, advocate for legalization, and gather at events ranging from music festivals to political rallies. It's also one of the biggest sales days of the year at dispensaries like Hashtag!
Is 420 now officially recognized in the English language?
Yes! In 2017, the number "420" was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary — cementing its place in the English language as a recognized cultural term. Journalist Phoebe Judge also investigated its origins that same year for the podcast Criminal, helping bring the Waldos' story to an even wider mainstream audience. Going from a teenage secret code in a California high school parking lot to Oxford Dictionary entry in about 45 years is quite a journey!
Want to learn more about cannabis history and culture?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!