What Does 420 Mean and Where Does It Come From?
420 is one of the most famous numbers in cannabis culture. Every year on April 20th (4/20), cannabis enthusiasts around the world celebrate with gatherings, events, and a shared appreciation for the plant.
But despite the myths, the real origin of 420 has nothing to do with police codes or legal statutes — it started with a group of high school friends in California in the early 1970s.
What Does 420 Mean?
In cannabis culture, “420” is a code term for marijuana. It can refer to:
- Smoking cannabis
- A time to smoke (4:20)
- April 20th (4/20), an unofficial cannabis holiday
Today, 420 is used globally as a symbol of cannabis culture, activism, and community.
The Popular Myths About 420
Before the true story became widely known, several myths circulated about the origin of 420.
❌ Myth: It Was a Police Code
One of the most common stories claimed that “420” was a police code for “marijuana smoking in progress.” This idea spread widely in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in connection with Grateful Dead culture.
However, this has been debunked — there is no evidence that California police ever used 420 as an official code for cannabis.
❌ Myth: It Started at Grateful Dead Concerts
Another theory suggested the term began within the Grateful Dead fan scene. While the band and their fans did help spread the phrase later, they were not the originators.
The True Origin of 420: The Waldos
The real story begins in 1971 at San Rafael High School in California with a group of five friends who called themselves “The Waldos.”
The Treasure Hunt
According to the Waldos, they heard about a Coast Guard member who had planted cannabis near Point Reyes Peninsula but could no longer tend to it. The group supposedly had a map and decided to search for the hidden crop.
They agreed to meet after school at 4:20 p.m. by a statue of Louis Pasteur on campus before heading out on their search.
At first, they used the phrase “4:20 Louis” as a reminder of the meeting time and place. Over time, it was shortened to simply “420.”
They never actually found the cannabis plants — but they did create a code word.
How 420 Became a Secret Code
The term quickly became a private way for the group to refer to cannabis.
Saying “420” could mean:
- “Do you want to smoke?”
- “Do you have any?”
- “Are you high right now?”
Teachers and parents had no idea what they were talking about, which made it the perfect inside joke.
How 420 Spread Beyond the Waldos
The phrase didn’t stay local for long.
Some of the Waldos had connections to people close to the Grateful Dead, whose fan community traveled widely. Through concerts, social circles, and underground culture, the term spread across California and eventually the United States.
By the early 1990s, “420” was appearing on flyers, in magazines, and in cannabis culture nationwide.
How the Story Was Verified
In the 1990s, High Times magazine began investigating the origin of 420. Journalist Steven Hager and others interviewed the Waldos and examined their old letters, documents, and evidence.
They also confirmed that 420 was never an official police code, which helped disprove the long-standing myth.
To this day, no earlier documented use of “420” for cannabis has been found, giving the Waldos credit as the originators of the term.
Why April 20th (4/20) Became a Cannabis Holiday
Because 420 had already become slang for cannabis, the date April 20 (4/20) naturally evolved into a day of celebration.
Today, 4/20 is marked by:
- Cannabis festivals and events
- Advocacy for legalization and reform
- Social gatherings among cannabis enthusiasts
In many places, it has become one of the most recognized days in global cannabis culture.
420 FAQs
Does 420 come from a police code?
No. That story is a myth. There’s no official record of 420 being used as a marijuana code by police.
Who invented 420?
A group of high school students in San Rafael, California known as the Waldos in 1971.
Why is 4/20 associated with weed?
Because “420” became slang for cannabis, April 20th (4/20) became a symbolic date for celebration.
Did the Waldos find the hidden weed plants?
No — the treasure hunt failed, but the term they created became legendary.