Why Is 420 Associated With Weed?

The True Origin Story of 420 and Cannabis Culture

The authentic history of 420 begins with five friends at San Rafael High School in Northern California. Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich earned the nickname “the Waldos” because they hung out by a wall outside their campus.

In autumn 1971, the group heard about an abandoned cannabis crop at Point Reyes. A U.S. Coast Guard member had been growing marijuana but became paranoid about getting caught and left behind a treasure map to the plants. The five friends agreed to meet at the Louis Pasteur statue on campus at 4:20 p.m. to search for the free cannabis.

“When you are in high school and you have no money and there is free weed, you go for it,” Waldo Dave Reddix later explained. They would pass each other in hallways whispering “4:20 Louis” as a reminder of their after-school quest. Read the full story of the Waldos.

Week after week, the group would meet, get high, pile into Steve’s 1966 Chevy Impala, and drive to Point Reyes searching for the elusive cannabis patch. Despite their best efforts on these “Waldo Safaris,” they never found the abandoned crop. But the code stuck.

They eventually dropped “Louis” and simply used “420” as their secret term for anything related to marijuana. “We had a term for marijuana that our parents wouldn’t know, or the cops wouldn’t know,” Reddix explained.

How 420 Spread from Local Slang to Global Phenomenon

The Grateful Dead Connection

The Waldos’ private joke might have remained local slang if not for their connection to the Grateful Dead. In the early 1970s, the legendary band moved to Marin County, just blocks from San Rafael High School. Waldo Mark’s father managed real estate for the band, while Waldo Dave’s older brother Patrick was friends with bassist Phil Lesh. Through these connections, the term “420” spread into the Dead’s fanbase.

The band’s extensive touring throughout the 1970s and 1980s helped carry the phrase across the country, embedding it deeply within counterculture communities nationwide. Discover how the Grateful Dead spread 420 nationwide.

High Times Magazine Takes Notice

The breakthrough moment for mainstream recognition came in 1990 at a Grateful Dead concert. High Times writer Steven Bloom received a flyer that read: “We are going to meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County.”

High Times published the flyer in May 1991, bringing 420 to its global readership. In 1998, the magazine officially credited the Waldos after the group produced letters and artifacts proving early usage.

Common Myths About 420 Debunked

Over the decades, numerous false origin stories have emerged. Understanding what 420 is not helps clarify the true history behind this famous number.

High Times itself initially repeated the police-code myth before later correcting the record. LAPD does not use 420 as any code. Verify the truth about 420 police code myths.

How April 20 Became Cannabis Culture’s Biggest Day

Modern Celebrations and Events

What started as five teenagers’ treasure hunt has evolved into cannabis culture’s biggest annual celebration. April 20 now features major events across the United States drawing thousands of attendees—Denver’s Mile High 420 Festival, Atlanta’s SweetWater 420 Fest, LA’s Kushstock, and Missoula’s 420 Block Party, to name a few. Explore major 420 festivals across America.

The Commercial Impact

For the legal cannabis industry, April 20 has become the equivalent of Black Friday. According to industry data, 420 in 2024 was the busiest sales day in cannabis history.

Retailers offer deep discounts, special bundles, limited editions, and promotional events throughout 420 week. See cannabis industry sales trends for 420.

The Modern Meaning of 420 in Cannabis Culture

Legalization and Mainstream Acceptance

The transformation of 420 from counterculture code to mainstream phenomenon mirrors the dramatic progress of legalization. As of 2024, recreational cannabis is legal in 24 U.S. states plus D.C., while 38 states allow medical use. Public support has surged from 12% in 1969 to ~70% today.

This mainstream acceptance has fundamentally changed 420’s meaning. What was once an act of rebellion has become a celebration of personal freedom and cannabis culture where it’s legal. View latest legalization polling data.

Cannabis in Wellness Culture

Cannabis has increasingly been embraced for wellness—from chronic pain and spasticity to PTSD, anxiety, and depression in many states. A 2018 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found users reported significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. Read research on medical cannabis benefits.

A Symbol of Social Justice

The industry’s growth contrasts with ongoing justice issues: roughly 350,000 cannabis arrests in 2020 (91% for possession), over 6.1 million arrests from 2010–2018, a $25B legal market in 2021, and leadership demographics still predominantly white.

April 20 is now a day for celebration and advocacy—calling for expungement, release of those incarcerated for marijuana offenses, and equitable industry participation. Learn about criminal justice reform efforts.