4/20 History

The 4/20 holiday, also known as “Weed Day” or “International Cannabis Lovers’ Holiday,” was established in 1971 by a group of five friends known as the Waldos in San Rafael, California.

They were searching for ways to enjoy marijuana that would be considered socially acceptable. On this day, people from all over the world recognize and celebrate medical cannabis.

420 celebrates the start of a new era incorporating holistic health, Earth Day, the environment and much more. Many people have different interpretations of where “420” actually comes from.

Some people say it’s the amount of chemicals in marijuana, some say Hitler’s birthday has some connection to it, some say it’s the time tea is served in European countries and some say it’s because it was the police code to refer to smoking marijuana.

These theories go on and on, but what is the real reason 420 is celebrated?

In Oakland, California in 1990, Steven Bloom, a reporter for High Times, was walking through the parking lot where people gathered before  a Grateful Dead concert. Someone handed him a flyer that said “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.” The flyer included a story on the back about the history of 420. The term was invented by the Waldos in the 1970s on their quest to find marijuana in the Point Reyes Forest. Who would have known that this term would be turned into a national holiday?

There are many ways people celebrate 420.

The Deep Green Festival is the first-ever Earth Day celebration of medical cannabis. It will be held on April 23rd in Richmond, California at the Craneway Pavilion. The goal of the festival is to raise awareness of the health benefits of marijuana and educate people on the “next level” of medical cannabis. The event organizers have collaborated with cannabis experts to produce a fun and inspiring festival. To purchase tickets for the festival, visit their website which always gives general information, event schedule, discounts, attractions, exhibitors and how to get involved.

“Deep Green is a festival for the entire medical cannabis community to honor and celebrate the many ways medicinal cannabis enhances our wellness, spirituality, industry, and inspiration,” said Steve DeAngelo from the Harborside Health Center.

There is also an entire website dedicated to 420 in which users can post content related to the holiday.