The 420 Origin Unveiled: A Journey Back to ‘The Waldos’ and the Birth of Cannabis Culture

April 20th, globally known as 4/20, has become a symbol of celebration for cannabis enthusiasts. The roots of 4/20, often shrouded in myths, find their clarity in the story of a group of Northern California high school friends famously known as ‘The Waldos.’

In 1971, these friends devised the term “420” as a clandestine code to plan their gatherings – specifically, 4:20 pm at the Louis Pasteur statue. Originally associated with their mission to discover an abandoned cannabis crop in Point Reyes Forest, the quest didn’t unfold as planned. However, the ritual of meeting and enjoying cannabis at 4:20 pm persisted.

The term ‘420’ was coined by ‘The Waldos,’ and its proliferation can be traced back to their connection with the Grateful Dead, a San Rafael-based band. One of ‘The Waldos’ had ties to the Deadheads, the band’s devoted followers, and shared the term with them. The turning point occurred in 1990 when Deadheads distributed flyers at a December show, inviting people to “meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing.” The term gained global prominence after a High Times Magazine reporter picked up the flyer in 1991.

Despite the initial anonymity, ‘The Waldos’ have since stepped forward, and documented evidence supports their narrative. What began as a private joke among friends has evolved into a universally recognized code for cannabis consumption. Today, a Google search for ‘420’ leads to references to “marijuana” or “the act of smoking marijuana,” solidifying April 20th as a worldwide “occasion for smoking or celebrating the smoking of marijuana.”

Sidenotes:

• The moniker ‘The Waldos’ stemmed from their regular hangout spot, a wall outside their school.

• As high school athletes, 4:20 pm marked the end of their extracurricular sports activities.

• The abandoned crop in Point Reyes Forest was cultivated by a U.S. Coast Guard member, who either couldn’t or wouldn’t harvest it. The dissemination of the term ‘420’ can be linked to their connections spreading across California and beyond, particularly through their association with the Grateful Dead, residing in San Rafael. A member of ‘The Waldos’ had familial ties with the band’s bassist and managed his sidebands. This connection allowed ‘The Waldos’ to introduce the phrase “420” to the musicians, their followers, and the organization. The term spread within the community and reached a broader audience when Deadheads distributed flyers at a December show in 1990, inviting people to “meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing.

Resource Information

CNN. ‘The Origin of 4/20 Weed Day.’ https://www.cnn.com/ampstories/health/the-origin-of-420-weed-day (2005)

History. ‘The Hazy History of “420”. https://www.history.com/news/the-hazy-history-of-420 (2017)

Time Magazine. ‘Here’s the Real Reason we Associate 420 With Weed.’ https://time.com/4292844/420-april-20-marijuana-pot-holiday-history/ (2018)

LiveScience. ‘”High Holiday” 420 Has Hazy Origins.’ https://www.livescience.com/58754-the-real-origins-of-420-marijuana.html (2017)

Vox. ‘4/20, the Marijuana Holiday Explained.’ https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/19/18484698/what-is-420-meaning-marijuana-legalization (2019)

Rolling Stone. ‘The Story of 4/20.’ https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/4-20-cannabis-weed-history-627949/ (2020)

The High Note. ‘4/20/20 – The History and Meaning Behind 420.’ https://thehighnote.com/blog/weed-vocabulary/the-origin-of-420/ (2020)