Trenton, NJ – With celebrations of Happy 420 Day continuing long after the actual day, thousands of marijuana enthusiasts worldwide gather to celebrate the drug or protest against its illegality.
However, few people know what “Happy 420 Day” stands for.
What is the meaning of Happy 420?
In a nutshell, 4/20 is a celebration of marijuana on April 20th. The so-called five fingers, or five leaves, represent the 420 logo for marijuana. Every year, marijuana enthusiasts, producers, consumers, and advocates worldwide look forward to it as an excuse to smoke with friends and in large crowds. Massive demonstrations occur nationwide, even in states like Colorado, California, and the 16 others that have legalized marijuana.
Nonetheless, the celebrations are becoming more popular as support for legalizing marijuana rises. Because of this, marijuana-related firms are seeking ways to market and sell their goods more effectively.
This makes today’s 4/20 a stark contrast to the holiday previously embraced by a counterculture movement primarily of hippies and other people who denounced greed, corporate influences, and everything conventional. It tells a lot about how marijuana legalization affects weed in America.
So, while people have observed the unofficial holiday since the 1970s, why is it celebrated on 4/20, and where did it start? Here’s some clarification.
Not True, but Hilarious!
The origin of the so-called “Happy 420 Day” is the subject of numerous urban legends that have spread across social media and the world, most of which have been disproven.
In addition to 4/20 being Adolf Hitler’s birthday, others claim that “420” is a code word used by authorities to indicate “marijuana smoking in progress.”
One implausible theory claims that the phrase originated in Bob Dylan’s 1966 song Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35, in which he famously declares that “everyone must become stoned.” After all, 12 multiplied by 35 is 420! Unfortunately, that’s not true.
Several people have foggy recollections of once-heard stories concerning the origins of the “Happy 420 Day” phrase. Some attribute it to the abundance of active compounds in marijuana, while others attribute it to teatime in Holland.
Nonetheless, the majority think California is where Happy 420 Day originated.
The Real Story
According to Steven Hager, a former editor of High Times, the festival originated from a tradition begun by a group of high school students in the 1970s.
In San Rafael High School, five kids would get together every day around 4:20 PM in 1971. A numbering system for stoners was created, and it has now evolved into the ultimate high holiday. The “Waldos” group included Steve Capper, David Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich, who met at a particular wall on a building in their neighborhood. To signal marijuana to one another, they would say “420.”
The Waldo brothers were acquainted with The Grateful Dead band in the 1970s. They had the opportunity to coin the word “420” as a code for marijuana after assisting the band with some performances and events. Since then, the band has also discussed marijuana sessions before starting the concert.
Fliers inviting people to smoke “420” on April 20 at 4:20 p.m. were distributed by a group of Deadheads in Oakland on December 28, 1990. Steve Bloom, a former correspondent for the cannabis culture authority High Times magazine, received one.
In 1991, the magazine published the flier and kept using the number. It quickly gained recognition as a global code for marijuana. The source admitted that the “Waldos” were the “inventors” of 420 in 1998.
As a result of the teens’ use of the term “420” to refer to marijuana—from inviting friends to smoke joints to inquiring about their possession of the drug—the code became widely accepted and is now frequently used in popular culture.
The Support for Marijuana Legalization Is at an All-Time HIGH!
Whatever the case, the phrase has become a part of everyday speech. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “North American slang” for marijuana.
The adage “Happy 420 Day” has slowly entered popular culture. A few memorable movie examples are how most of the timepieces in the movie Pulp Fiction are set to 4:20 and the scoreboard in Fast Times at Ridgemont High reads 42-0. Then in a Family Guy episode titled “420,” the characters try to make marijuana legal.
Speaking of legalization, Bill 420 was the name of the legislation that made marijuana legal in California. And last but not least, on April 20, 2009, Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson recorded a song in Amsterdam, making it the most “420 thing” to ever happen.
Though it’s wonderful to celebrate the 420 festival and all it stands for, it’s crucial to take stock of how much work still has to be done before true cannabis legalization can be completely achieved. The best way to commemorate 420 in a way that can help others is by being better informed about the concerns, participating in a protest, or taking some other action other than celebrating Happy 420 Day!
With the growing number of enthusiasts pushing for the legalization of marijuana, the future is promising!
For newcomers and seasoned stoners alike, April is the perfect month to indulge in the luxury of marijuana. Do you want to level up your 420 lifestyle? Head on to AllStuff420™ and get a hold of the best marijuana accessories to flaunt on a Happy 420 Day. There are tons of discounts awaiting you and your 420 buddies. It’s a worthy purchase for you to live the HIGH life!
Remember always, you can’t complain when you’ve got Mary Jane again and again! Advance Happy 420 Day, weedhead!
Here’s more information on the topic:
How 4/20 became ‘Weed Day’
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/20/health/420-weed-day-origin-trnd/index.html
The Internet Wants to Wish You a Happy 4/20
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a27214853/420-internet-reactions/
420 Waldos
http://420waldos.com/documented-proof/
What is 420, and Why Do We Celebrate It?
https://allstuff420.com/what-is-420-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it/
