What’s the Deal with 420?

Every culture has its codes. Some are whispered in back alleys, others etched into calendars, sung in anthems, or quietly passed between friends with knowing glances. But few are as globally recognized—and as curiously coded—as 420. Or is it 4:20? Or perhaps 4/20, four twenty, or even just the time of day that sparks a ritual?

However you write it, the number has grown far beyond its digits. It’s a symbol, a lifestyle, and for many, a cause. In today’s cannabis culture, 420 represents everything from friendship and freedom to protest and passion. But where does it all come from?

What Is the Origin Story Behind 420? Why Do We Call 420, 420 After All?

Like most cultural codes, the story of 420 doesn’t have just one root—it has layers, legends, and a fair bit of smoke surrounding the truth. Still, the most widely accepted version begins in California, at San Rafael High School, in the early 1970s. There, a group of students who called themselves The Waldos used to meet after class, precisely at 4:20 PM, to search for a rumored, abandoned marijuana plant near the state’s coast. They never found the plant, but the term “420” became their shorthand for a weed session. Over time, it drifted from their small circle into broader use—thanks in part to their connections with people close to the Grateful Dead—until it finally hit the pages of High Times and entered global stoner culture permanently.

But that’s just one version of the story.

Others trace 420 to a police code supposedly used in California to signal marijuana possession in progress. The idea of law enforcement whispering “we’ve got a 420” adds a cinematic flair, but turns out to be more myth than reality. No such code existed—at least not for cannabis-related incidents.

A third theory? A musical one. Some say Bob Dylan’s song Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 is the cryptic key. After all, 12 multiplied by 35 equals… you guessed it: 420. And with lyrics like “Everybody must get stoned,” the math takes on poetic meaning. Coincidence? Maybe. Or perhaps it’s one more hazy thread in a story that refuses to stay straight.

In the end, whether we believe the students, the police, or Dylan, the number took on a life of its own—becoming a symbol, a code, and a kind of password to the global cannabis community. A number that once meant “meet me by the wall after school” now means meet me in the park, with weed in your pocket, high spirits in your lungs, and cannabis smoke in the air.

Why Is 420 Celebrated?

Numbers can mean more than they seem. Over time, 420 evolved from a secret code into a holiday, celebrated every April 20th. But why? Because people needed more than a time—they needed a day.

April 20th (or 4/20) became the unofficial, then semi-official, and now globally recognized holiday in celebration of cannabis culture. A day to celebrate the plant, advocate for legalization, and bring the community together in a collective high. In states where recreational consumption is legal, 4/20 stands as a symbol of hard-won freedom. Elsewhere, it’s a day of resistance, a quiet push against stigma, outdated laws, and criminalization.

It’s a holiday not found on most national calendars, yet marked religiously by millions. A celebration of weed, freedom, and the right to breathe easy in a haze of green.

How Is 420 Celebrated?

On April 20th, clouds rise over cities not from rain, but from ritual. From California to Amsterdam, the smoke signals more than celebration—it marks a collective moment in weed culture. In parks, on rooftops, inside lounges, and at massive outdoor festivals, people gather to honor cannabis with community, creativity, and yes—a shared high.

There are bong-ripping contests, weed tastings, musical performances, panels on legalization, and showcases of cannabis culture. From low-key circles to massive public rallies, the 420 celebrations carry an undercurrent of purpose. 420 isn’t just an excuse to light up—it’s a holiday that invites us to reflect on how far the cannabis movement has come and how much ground still remains to cover. And while many gather around joints and bongs, others celebrate with quieter rituals—like sharing a laugh, playing music, or unwrapping a cannabis-flavored lollipop as a small, sweet tribute to the plant.

What Does 420 Friendly Mean?

In a world where values and vices are often coded, being “420 friendly” is like flashing a green light. It’s shorthand for “cannabis is welcome here,” but the meaning goes deeper than a casual puff. It’s about openness, shared language, and a sense of comfort—especially in spaces where weed culture thrives.

You might see the label in a roommate ad, on a dating profile, in a hostel’s house rules, or on the front window of a coffee shop. It says: if you’re into smoking, you’re not just accepted—you’re understood. In many ways, “420 friendly” marks a quiet cultural shift, where once-taboo habits are finding open doors and friendly nods. It’s the spirit of the 420 holiday carried into everyday life—welcoming, mellow, and unmistakably green.

420 in Pop Culture

The story doesn’t stop at parks and protests. 420 is embedded deep in pop culture. From Snoop Dogg’s lyrics to scenes in movies like Pineapple Express or Harold & Kumar, from memes to merchandise, the number shows up again and again—often unnoticed, always intentional.

You’ll find clocks forever frozen at 4:20 in cult classics. Brands release special 4/20 editions of everything from lighters to edibles. Even police reports (somewhat ironically) mark 4:20 as a code for marijuana-related activity, although that’s a post-facto myth. Still, the echo of smoke lingers across media, music, and meme culture. It’s a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and the normalization of weed.

Famous 420 Events and Traditions Around the Globe

In California, crowds descend on Golden Gate Park every year, where thousands light up weed together in an unspoken pact of unity. In Colorado, especially in Denver, 4/20 is practically a city-wide holiday, blending music, advocacy, and legal cannabis consumption.

Beyond the U.S., 420 events are celebrated in Amsterdam, London, Vancouver, and even in states and countries where weed remains illegal. Some are loud, others are quiet acts of rebellion. Some honor those who’ve fought for legalization, others remember those still imprisoned or lost—the dead and forgotten in the war on drugs.

These traditions may be unofficial, but they speak volumes. They speak of a global culture moving together, one joint, one gathering, one 420 celebration at a time.

More Than Just a Number

So yes—420 is just a number. A time of day, a date on the calendar, a bit of slang passed between students. But like any powerful symbol, it means something far greater. It means weed, culture, and the long march toward legal freedom. Whether whispered in code or shouted in a crowd, it carries a message: we’re here, we’re growing, and we’re not done yet.

Happy 4/20.
Pass the J, light the bong, breathe in the smoke—and let the high holiday begin.