Guide Note
420 is a code word that has become prevalent in the cannabis subculture. Accredited to a group of San Rafael High School students in 1971, the phrase has become a global symbol of cannabis use and tolerance. On April 20th, "420 friendly" individuals congregate to celebrate cannabis culture and consume the drug.
Fast Facts1
- Originator: Steve Waldo
- Term first used in 1971
- Is not used by police as a code for marijuana in California
- Used symbolically to denote a marijuana friendly environment
- April 20th is known as the "pot smokes' holiday"
4/20 4:20
April 20th has grown into a global celebration of marijuana. It has become something of a holiday for users around the world, as they boldly partake in consuming the drug publicly, even in countries where its use is prohibited. As High Times Magazine editor Steve Hager describes, "It's a ceremony that's being ritualized and passed down as a day to protest the oppression of a way of life."2
Disclaimer
Since the use of marijuana is illegal, we do not condone or endorse such use. Any opinions represented by the pages linked to here are the responsibility of those pages and do not represent Mahalo's point of view.
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