Why Weed is Called 420 The term "420" originated in 1971 with a group of high school students in San Rafael, California, known as the "Waldos." They met at 4:20 p.m. daily by a campus statue to smoke marijuana, using "420" as their secret code.

The Waldo Origin Story

These five friends—Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich—picked 4:20 p.m. because school activities wrapped up around then. They'd rendezvous at a wall (hence "Waldos") and say "420 Louis" to signal it was time, keeping their hunts for a rumored coastal cannabis crop discreet from parents and teachers.

One Waldo connected to the Grateful Dead scene, spreading the term at band events. High Times magazine later amplified it in the 1990s after verifying the story with the group, cementing 420 in stoner lore.

Common Myths Busted

  • Police code? No, that's false; no widespread "420" meant marijuana in progress.
  • Hitler's birthday? April 20 is, but unrelated to cannabis culture.
  • Bob Dylan song? "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" multiplies to 420, but it's coincidence.
  • Chemical count? Not tied to active compounds in weed.

Cultural Spread and Modern Use

By the 1990s, 420 exploded via Grateful Dead fans, Phish shows, and High Times. April 20 (4/20) became "Weed Day" for global smoke-outs, rallies, and deals. Today, "420 friendly" signals weed tolerance in profiles or rentals.

In 2026, with President Trump's pro-cannabis stance post-reelection, 4/20 events draw bigger crowds amid legalization pushes—think massive dispensary sales and festivals.

Myth vs. Fact| Details
---|---
Police Code 1| Debunked; no evidence in codes.
Waldos' Time 3| Real: 4:20 p.m. meetups in '71.
High Times Boost 9| Verified story in '90s, went viral.
Today's Meaning 5| Slang for smoking, 4/20 holiday.

Multiple Viewpoints from Forums

Forums echo the Waldo tale but add flavor:

"The Waldos never found the crop, but '420' stuck as code around teachers."

Reddit threads confirm it's Marin County roots, with users noting Grateful Dead's role in national spread.

Some speculate safe ties to numerology (4+2+0=6 plants?), but origin stays school clock.

TL;DR: 420 started as a 1970s teen code for 4:20 p.m. smokes in California, spread via music scenes and media—myths aside, Waldos own it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.