What Is 420?

420 is an experience, it’s a cultural movement that brings love to all thing’s cannabis. It has adopted the time 4:20, the date 4/20 and the term 420 as it proceeds to grow it’s following. Today 420 represents the celebration of cannabis’s growing community and the elevation of all marijuana products. It is a term that is used to identify with others who enjoy cannabis and want to see the industry flourish.  When we think of 420, we realize how far the movement has come and how many people are truly involved. With marijuana being legal in about 18 states, 420’s popularity continues to gather huge masses.  As people join under the flag of 420, they can share knowledge about their own favorite 420 experiences, which strains flavors they’ve enjoyed and tips on which cannabis products have served them best. They can share points-of-views on how to grow or harvest the best plants and course their favorite ways to enjoy it. For 420 enthusiasts have a like-minded community that is providing people with new and innovative smoking ideas like which papers or wraps burn best, incredible glass blown hand pipes or glass water pipes that are available, or technological advancements in dab rigs and smoking accessories. Today 4/20 represents huge celebrations around the country where tens of thousands of connoisseurs unite, as they shop and share in all the culture’s advancements. But where did the term 420 originate?

What Could 420 Mean?

You’ve probably heard a bunch of explanations when asking the question what is 420? Why did the cannabis culture pick this number to be significant? To answer this question, we have done the research and found a few possible, relevant explanations:

1.    Most people aren’t aware of the first time that 4:20 & marijuana are referenced together, this takes place in the short story “In the Walls of Eryx” written by H.P. Lovecraft & Kenneth Sterling & published in 1939. It describes “curious plants like marijuana” that only gets the narrator high when his watch reaches 4:20. This is probably the first time 420 made some vibes but is it the reason the term became so popular?

2. A widely heard explanation, that was passed around for a long time, was that 420 was the police responds code when encountering a person who was in possession of marijuana.  All though there is no actual 420 penal code to support this claim.

3. Another theory floating around, is that 420 is a reference to the amount of active chemicals found in marijuana. while this explanation was heard often in the 90’s & made cannabis more relatable through science, it’s false, since marijuana has over 500 active ingredients.  This explanation although invalid did help grow the cannabis following as it brought more attention to the quality and science around marijuana and how these active ingredients were being produced. This easy way to explain what for 420 meant to new curios minds made for a lot of home growers to join the 420 movement, providing a new level of dedicated 420 enthusiast that were willing to grow the best marijuana plant possible. Creating their own marijuana strains of hybrids and splices, elevating the cannabis culture & all its products.

4. While many of these explanations occurred and in part have played a role in the growth of 420 participants. The true origins of 420 are believed to have been started by a group of 5 California teens, in the fall of 1971, the group would sneak off & meet outside the wall of their San Rafael High School. They disappeared to this spot so much they were dubbed “The Waldos”. Although 2 out of the 5 Waldos still wish to remain anonymous the other 3 Waldos: Mark Gravitch, Dave Reddix & Steve Capper, have published pictures & kept proof of how they originated the term 420. With 420 tie-dyed posters & written postcards stating how they wanted to mention 420 in their High School graduation speech. So, how did the achieve to make 420 popular?

How 420 Got Started According to The Waldos?

According to the Waldos it was the spring of 1971 when they learned of a hidden harvest left behind by a Coast Guard member who could no longer care for the crop.  The group would meet once a week after school & always at 4:20. According to Steve Capper, who told the Huffington Post, “We would remind each other in the hallways we were supposed to meet up at 4:20.” But how could a handful of teenagers spread this term internationally? For this answer, we turn to The Grateful Dead, where the Waldos had plenty of connection and backstage passes. Steve Capper also told the Huffington Post. “There was a place called Winter land, and we’d always be backstage running around or on stage, of course, we’re using those phrases. When somebody passes a joint or something, ‘Hey, 420.’ So, it started spreading through that community.”

420 is a call to action, a call to get stoned & enjoy all things cannabis. To get ready with a great selection of 420 items you can take to the next Cannabis Cup or 420 Festival go to Pipe Zone Wholesale. Make sure to follow us on Facebook @pipezone & on Instagram @pipezone