420: discover the origin and meaning of stoners' favorite number

On grinders, billboards, in grownshops, CBD stores, and the 420 DreamYou'll have noticed that the number 420 comes up a lot when we talk about cannabis or CBD.

Whether used as it is, as a date or as a time (4:20 or 4/20 according to the English calendar system), the number can be found everywhere. In Amsterdam, it's literally on every street corner.

For over 50 years, this number has referred to cannabis consumption. All over the world, April 20 is National Cannabis Day, and 4:20 a.m. isworld smoking time.
But why this number? What does it mean, and why is it now found all over the world?
You'll find the answer to all your questions in this article!

The origin of 420

The origin of the expression has remained uncertain for many years. Several theories have been put forward to explain it, and several people or groups have tried to claim it as their own. Today, we know with certainty that it is neither a reference to Hitler's date of birth, nor a code used by the American police, nor that it was coined by Bob Dylan, Bob Marley or Lovecraft.

Today, everyone agrees that the Waldos are responsible for the 420.

Who are the Waldos of 420?

The story of the Waldos begins in the early 70s. It was the name given to a group of teenagers who hung out together at high school in San Rafael, California. These friends would meet up after school before their parents got home from work to smoke joints at 4.20am. By their own admission, they weren't a stoner band a la Cheech and Chang, just typical high-school kids, but damn lucky.

The Waldos had heard of an abandoned plantation on the outskirts of San Rafael. 420, the time at which they met, became a code name for their search operations. They never found the plantation, but over time, the expression became their code for anything to do with weed. So the meaning of 420 is the one that's still often used, 4H20: smoking time.

From San Rafael to conquering the world

As you'd expect, the story doesn't end there, otherwise no one would have heard of 420 outside the small Californian town.

The expression then spread to the U.S. thanks to the Grateful Dead, whose members were renowned for their love of weed.
One story has it that the band wanted to buy a house in San Rafael. And that's where the young men's luck ran out, as the real estate agent they spoke to was none other than the father of one of the Waldos. One thing led to another, and the Waldos met the Grateful Dead, sharing their love of weed and the famous 420 expression.

Concert after concert, the band began to spread the word. Thanks to word-of-mouth, the expression spread across a large part of the country until the famous weed magazine High Times began using it. From then on, 420 became one of the most widely shared expressions among weed consumers. It entered the culture in North America first, before spreading around the world.

The 420 in American pop culture

Through the decades to the present day, the number 420 has become quite a symbol, particularly in North America. The number has become as much a part of Hollywood productions as it has of the more underground cultural networks and everything to do with pop culture.
Unsurprisingly, it can be found in the title of an album by Wu Tang Clan rapper Method Man, as well as in almost every movie featuring stoners(How High, Harold and Kumar, Pineapple Express...).

It's also found in hit series like How I Met Your Mother, where the clock in Ted, Marshall and Lilli's apartment regularly reads 4:20: sandwich time!
This time also appears on the clocks of the disreputable pawnbroker in Pulp Fiction.

Fun fact: the hype is so strong in the USA that some states have been forced to change some mileage signs to read 419.9 miles instead of 420, because the signs were being stolen too regularly.

The 420 in France

The use of the expression is much less widespread in France than in the United States, its homeland. It is rarely found in cultural or cinematographic works dealing with the subject of cannabis consumption. It's worth noting, however, that an entire film soberly named "420, Le film" has been awarded to the expression. Directed by MrPianitza, a French independent filmmaker known for his strange and offbeat creations, the film has been favorably received by fans of the genre.

As in the U.S., French associations and consumer groups fighting for legalization are making extensive use of April 20 to focus pressure and demonstrations on their cause.

In recent years, this day has also become an opportunity for many CBD shops and growshops to get their names out there by organizing events and associating themselves with this day of celebrations and demands.

What events will take place in France in April 2024?

As all over the world, on April 20, 2024, you can take part in numerous events and marches in favor of legalization for medical or recreational purposes. Like every year, you'll be able to take part inthe Cannaparade, which will set off at 2pm from the Place de la République and march with fanfare and sound-system floats through the streets of Paris to the Place de la Bastille. For more information, visit their official website.

For the moment, few other events in France's major cities have been announced, but it's a safe bet that a march will be organized in every major city, and we'll be sure to keep you informed!