The term 420 has become synonymous with smoking marijuana, even among those who don’t partake in the herb themselves, making it one of the most recognizable terms in the cannabis industry—but where did the term originate? And why was it coined? We answer all that and more in this article on what 420 means.
Who Started 420?
No one is quite sure who started using the term 420 to refer to cannabis, but there are a few theories.
One popular theory is that it was started by a group of high school students in San Rafael, California in 1971. The group would meet at 4:20 pm to smoke weed together. Another theory is that it was started by a group of musicians in the Grateful Dead community in the early 1970s. Regardless of who started it, the term has become synonymous with cannabis culture.
Many people see April 20th as a day for celebrating and smoking marijuana, leading to the creation of Weed Day on this day. However, some cannabis businesses discourage their employees from participating because they are working and don’t want others thinking they’re getting high on the job.
In addition, while many people celebrate Weed Day on April 20th, not everyone agrees with it. There’s also a strain of opinion that 420 should be seen as just another number (not unlike March 14) and not necessarily something worth celebrating.
Nonetheless, those who do celebrate find many different ways to do so. They might light up a joint or pipe and think about how lucky they are to live in an era where cannabis is legal in so many places around the world. Some people might also enjoy cooking or baking edibles with cannabis oil or eating certain strains of flowers.
Still other celebrations may involve watching movies like Pineapple Express or Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle while eating pizza. Some people might make elaborate spreads of brownies, cookies, chips and dip.
Other ideas include playing games like Bingo or Scrabble, doing yoga or meditating, listening to music like hip-hop or reggae before going out with friends. Whether you celebrate 420 or not depends on your personal preference! You can choose what works best for you.
When Was It First Used
As mentioned, the most common origination story of the term 420 first started being used in the early 1970s by a group of high school friends in San Rafael, California.The term eventually started being used more broadly to refer to anything related to cannabis.
Now, 420 is widely known as code for smoking weed and is celebrated by cannabis users all over the world on April 20th. In 2018, marijuana became legal in Canada, but it’s only legal for people 18 years or older.
So this means that anyone under 18 years old cannot buy it legally until they turn 18 years old which can take between 2-4 months from the day they were born.
You can also buy edibles and pre-rolled joints or find a designated store near you that sells marijuana but there are restrictions on how much you can buy depending on your age so make sure you check them out before buying any products!
Why People Smoke At 4:20 Pm
It’s no secret that people love to get high at 4:20 pm. But why is this such a popular time to smoke weed? Some say it’s because of the time (4:20 pm) itself. Others believe it has something to do with the police code for marijuana smoking in public.
Whatever the reason, 4:20 pm has become synonymous with cannabis culture. From pro-cannabis movements like NORML and legalization efforts to April 20th being observed as Weed Day, 4:20 pm is undoubtedly one of the most widely recognized times among stoners around the world.
After the group of teens at San Rafael High School started to light up at 4:20 pm every Wednesday, people started to follow suit. At the high school, they’d light up joints or talk about life and share stories. One day, one of them brought a large baggie full of cannabis home from Mexico and everyone wanted to know where he got it; he told them that he bought it around four twenty.
As soon as they heard the story, they began using 420 when referring to smoking pot. The term became famous across California over the next few years before spreading worldwide. People all over California would meet up at 4:20 pm on Wednesdays and then have a celebratory joint.
In 1990, the word 420 was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The Oxford Dictionary also stated that 420 meant marijuana use. However, since the word had been used to refer to many things in addition to cannabis, there was some confusion. By 2015, the Oxford Dictionary made an update saying that 420 now exclusively refers to marijuana use.
Today, April 20th has become an international holiday for people who enjoy getting high and celebrating their favorite plant!
What Are The Best Strains To Smoke On 420?
The best strains to smoke on 420 are the ones that you like the most, of course, but there are some strains that are better than others.
If you’re looking for a strain that will get you high without making your body feel it, it’s suggested to start with a sativa or an indica-dominant hybrid. Sativas have higher THC levels than indicas and can give you more of a heady buzz. The THC level in an indica strain is much lower than that of a sativa. Indicas tend to be more relaxing and will leave you feeling blissed out rather than energetic or euphoric.
When it comes to different types of weed, there are many factors you should consider before buying any type of marijuana product.
For example:
- What kind of high do you want?
- Do you want relaxation or do you prefer something more stimulating?
- Are there any other medical conditions that might benefit from medical marijuana?
- What type of medical condition do you have?
These are all questions worth asking yourself before deciding which strain is right for your needs.
Here’s a list of the best strains to smoke on 4/20:
Blue Dream
Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid (60% sativa/40% indica) strain that’s known for its blueberry aroma and sweet taste. Its effects are very uplifting and energetic, and many patients use it to treat depression, stress, fatigue and headaches.
Grandaddy Purple
Granddaddy Purple is a hybrid strain that produces a deep body high with an intense cerebral effect. The THC content in this strain ranges from 19-24%, making it one of the strongest indicas in existence. Patients report using Granddaddy Purple to treat chronic pain, insomnia and mood disorders such as anxiety or depression.
Girl Scout Cookies
Girl Scout Cookies (aka GSC) is a sativa-dominant hybrid (60% sativa / 40% indica) strain with a sweet earthy flavor and subtle citrus undertones. It’s one of the most potent strains out there with THC levels reaching up to 25%. GSC produces an upbeat yet clear-headed high that can help patients manage stress, depression and chronic pain while enhancing creativity and focus.
Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant strain named after its famous advocate, the late Jack Herer. He was the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a book that brought awareness to the world about the many uses of marijuana and its benefits. Jack Herer is known for its potent psychoactive effects and sweet, spicy aroma.
The strain is most commonly found as an indoor plant with long branches that grow upwards towards light sources. Its buds are large and dense, covered in orange hairs and dark green leaves. Its leaves are long and thin, with jagged edges. Its flowers are large and sticky with trichomes that glisten under light exposure. Jack Herer has been known to produce yields of up to 500 grams per square meter indoors and up to 700 grams per plant outdoors.
Jack Herer’s aroma is sweet with spicy undertones that remind you of hot sauce or orange candy. This strain has earthy flavors with hints of pine when exhaled through the nose or mouth.
Can Weed Help Me Relax?
Weed can help people relax and kick back, and when 420 rolls around, that’s exactly what you’ll want to be doing.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a complex condition that can be caused by many factors, including inflammation, nerve damage and muscle spasms. Many people use cannabis to manage chronic pain because it can provide relief without the side effects of prescription medications.
Stress & Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million Americans every year. The most common type of anxiety disorder is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which causes excessive worry about everyday situations or events that may or may not occur.
Marijuana can be helpful for people with anxiety because it can reduce stress and ease feelings of anxiety and tension. While some strains are better suited for managing stress than others, many patients find success using cannabis to cope with daily stressors like work or school obligations.
Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
Insomnia is characterized by trouble falling asleep or staying asleep long enough to feel rested in the morning. It affects around 60 million Americans every year and can cause daytime drowsiness that makes it difficult to focus on daily tasks like driving or working at an office job. Some strains of marijuana have been shown
Did You Know…
The term 420 has been associated with cannabis for decades. While its exact origins are unknown, there are several theories about how the term came to be. Another theory, aside from the San Rafael High School theory, is that it derives from Bob Dylan’s song Rainy Day Women No 12 & 35 which contains the line Everybody must get stoned.
Whatever the origin, this number can often refer to smoking pot. It’s also the perfect time to bring up legalization! In recent years, more states have legalized recreational use of marijuana (currently 10 states plus Washington D.C.), including California where I live. California first legalized medical marijuana back in 1996, but now you can buy it recreationally too!
You just need an ID proving you’re over 21 years old. Be careful though, if you want to grow your own plants or have more than six plants total, or sell any amount of weed on the black market without being licensed by the state and local government, then you’re breaking the law.
420 Fun Facts
Did you know that 420 is actually a code-word? It started back in the 1970s when a group of high school friends would meet up at 4:20pm to smoke weed. The term caught on and eventually became synonymous with cannabis culture.
There are different interpretations for what 420 means. Some people say it means just relaxing while others think it’s a day or time to indulge, such as celebrating 4/20 (April 20th). Others claim it represents the previously mentioned moment in Bob Dylan’s song Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 where he sings Everybody must get stoned.
Still, more believe that it’s a police radio code from the 1960s, meaning marijuana smoking in progress. Of course, this interpretation has been disputed by many law enforcement officers who say they never used the word 420 in this way. And finally, many people just see 420 as an inside joke between pot smokers which doesn’t have any specific meaning.
Whatever your interpretation, one thing is clear– if you’re smoking weed today, then you’re not alone! In recent years, 420 has taken on new meanings in connection with cannabis reform efforts. Activists around the world use April 20th as a symbolic day to rally support for legalization efforts around the globe.
So even though the term 420 is most commonly associated with smoking weed at 4:20 PM every day, now it can also mean much more than that.
Final Thoughts
420 has a variety of origination stories, and it can be difficult to decipher which one is 100% correct. But one thing we know for sure is that people will be lighting up at 420 well into the future!
