The Deets on 420: Everything You Need to Know about the Cannabis-Centered Holiday
With April in full bloom, the cannabis community readies itself for the HIGH-light of the year — April 20, better known as 4/20. The date is known worldwide as an observance not only for celebrating the use of marijuana, but also, it’s long road to legalization, specifically in the United States.
But how did a random day in April become the most celebrated day among pot enthusiasts? The lore is murky, but consensus traces it back to a group of teens in the suburbs of 1970s San Francisco.
The Hazy History of 4/20
The group dubbed themselves “the Waldos.” When one member’s brothers confided in them about a patch of weed he’d been cultivating and gave them the go-ahead to harvest it, the group met up at least once a week after school — 4:20 p.m. to be exact — to toke up and go on the hunt for the crop.
While they never found it, the term 420, which they coined as code for their meetups, stuck, and it eventually turned into reference for their pre-treasure hunting activities as well.
Fast forward to the 1990s, where one “Waldo” member began working as a roadie for Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. The use of the term continued and eventually found its way into lingo of the band and its community.
One night in December, High Times reporter Steve Bloom was handed a flyer at a Grateful Dead’s concert that read “Meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais.” He published it, solidifying the date into cannabis culture.
There are other origin stories for 4/20, including a California police code for weed possession and a Bob Dylan song with the refrain “Everybody must get stoned.” However, the Waldos’ story has the most traction and documentation, making it widely agreed upon as the birth of the cannabis holiday.
Celebrate 4/20 with Mini Soda
The 4/20 holiday has come a long way since its inception as a code word for lighting up. Now, with medical marijuana legalized in some capacity in 47 states and recreational marijuana legalized in 24 states, it’s become a day for cannabis-enthusiasts to rally together and continue the fight for legalization nationwide, as well as a day to enjoy all their favorite pot products.
Even the way cannabis is consumed has changed since 4/20’s birth. For the longest time, the best and only way to get a high was through smoking — whether that was through a hand-rolled joint, pipe, bong or some other makeshift tool. Today, you can get that euphoric buzz in a wide variety of ways: vapes, edibles, topical formulas, and our personal favorite, refreshing cannabis-infused beverages like Mini Soda.
Whether you are new to this alternative method of consumption, or you’ve been a long-time fan of these canna-concoctions, our pops make a great addition to your 4/20 celebration.