Written by Joshua Sosin

Every April 20, cannabis fans across the country light up in celebration of the stoner holiday known simply as 420. From pot shops in legal weed states to smoke sessions in the nation’s capital, it’s a moment where cannabis culture comes together to honor the plant we love.

But how did 420 — a seemingly random number — become marijuana culture’s high holiday?

The origin of 420 is a little hazy, but trust us — the real story is way more interesting than most people realize.

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The Mythology of 420

Over the years, the slang spread like wildfire. People tossed around all kinds of explanations. Some claimed it was the police code for marijuana possession. Others swore it had something to do with Bob Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” — because 12 times 35 equals 420. A few even said 420 was the number of chemical compounds in cannabis (it’s not).

The internet helped amplify the myths. A Huffington Post piece from a decade ago dug into all the theories, but it took some serious digging — and a little help from High Times — to trace the term back to its roots.

The Real Story: San Rafael High School and the Waldos

Back in the early 1970s, a group of five students at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California, started using “420” as a kind of private lexicon — a secret code to signal it was time to collectively smoke pot.

These students — Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich — became known as the Waldos. Why? Because they used to hang out near the school’s statue of Louis Pasteur after their extracurricular activities — around 4:20 p.m.

Every day, they’d meet at that same spot, hop in a car, and head off to search for a rumored weed patch planted somewhere near the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot. They never found the patch, but they kept using “420” as their code for getting high. It was short, sweet, and stealthy — perfect for slipping into conversation without raising eyebrows.

The Waldos saved postmarked letters, other artifacts, and even a flag with “420” on it to back up their claim. That’s some serious cannabis historian energy.

A Connection to the Grateful Dead

So how did a local inside joke among five students become a global symbol of recreational pot?

Here’s where it gets interesting: Dave Reddix’s close friend’s brother was tight with members of the Grateful Dead. The Waldos were soon hanging out backstage at Dead shows, smoking and joking with the band’s circle. The term spread from San Rafael to San Francisco, and from there, it was off to the races.

Eventually, a reporter named Steve Bloom picked it up. Working at the legendary cannabis magazine High Times, Bloom saw “420” on a flyer handed out at a Dead show. The flyer invited people to light up on April 20 at 4:20 p.m.

High Times ran with it — and with their help, 420 became the universal code for cannabis lovers everywhere.

420 in the Mainstream

By the time Oxford English Dictionary added “420” to its pages, the term had already become a pop culture staple. From shoutouts in songs to headlines in the Associated Press, 420 was no longer just a stoner secret — it was a symbol of cannabis culture’s coming of age.

Now, legal weed states like California, Colorado, and Oregon go all out for 420, with festivals, product drops, and full-day events at places like Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park.

Even brands are in on it. SweetWater Brewing and Lagunitas Brewing have released limited-edition beers like Waldos’ Special Ale — a nod to the term’s coiners and the high holiday we all know and love.

420 and the Push for Legalization

420 isn’t just about lighting up — it’s also a powerful symbol in the fight to regulate marijuana and roll back the damage caused by the drug war.

Thanks to the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was labeled a Schedule I substance, right up there with heroin. For decades, marijuana smokers risked arrest for something as simple as having a joint in their pocket.

In places like Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., and beyond, advocates are pushing for reforms like the Opportunity Act, which would help decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.

Each year, April 20 becomes more than a celebration — it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much work is left to do.

The Spirit of 420 Lives On

What started as five kids at football practice trying to keep things low-key turned into a worldwide phenomenon. The Waldos may not have found that secret stash, but they definitely found a way to leave their mark.

From the steps of San Rafael High School to a spot in the Oxford English Dictionary, “420” has earned its place in cannabis history.

As we fire up on April 20, we’re not just getting high — we’re joining a tradition that spans decades, continents, and communities. We’re tapping into something bigger than ourselves — a shared language, a cultural legacy, and a moment of pure, unfiltered joy.

So wherever you are this 420 — whether you're hitting a Dead show, toking up with friends, or browsing new drops at your favorite pot shop — just remember: someday somebody’s going to ask you where it all started.

Now you know.