April 20th, or 4/20, is a special day for cannabis enthusiasts all over the world. It's a day when people come together to celebrate and enjoy marijuana, but have you ever wondered how this day became such an important date for the cannabis community? Well, the answer lies in the history of 4/20, which traces back to five high school students in California.
In the fall of 1971, David Reddix and his four friends, Steve Capper, Larry Schwartz, Jeff Noel, and Mark Gravich, were hanging out at San Rafael High School in Northern California. They called themselves "The Waldos," a name that originated from a term used by comedian Buddy Hackett to describe odd people.
One day, a non-Waldo classmate told them about a marijuana garden located in Point Reyes National Seashore, not far from the school. The garden belonged to his brother-in-law, and he had a map that showed its location. Excited at the prospect of finding the hidden pot patch, the five friends decided to meet after school to search for it.
They agreed to meet at 4:20 p.m. in front of the school, which was the time when two of them finished football practice. However, they didn't find the marijuana that day, but they kept searching for it. Whenever they planned a new search, they would whisper "420 Louis" in the hallways to each other, indicating that they should meet at 4:20 p.m. at the school's statue of Louis Pasteur.
Although they never found the marijuana garden, the group's code word for smoking pot at the statue became 420, which eventually evolved into a code for smoking marijuana in general. As the five friends went off to college and beyond, they continued to use the term, and it spread throughout their social circles.
In the 1990s, 420 became a popular term among the Grateful Dead's fans, who were known for their love of marijuana. The band even helped to popularize the term by using it in their concerts and songs. From there, it spread to other counterculture groups, eventually becoming a symbol of the marijuana community as a whole.
Today, 4/20 is celebrated all over the world as a day for cannabis enthusiasts to come together and enjoy their favorite herb. From music festivals to smoke-outs, people gather to celebrate the plant and its culture. And it all started with five high school students in California who wanted to find a hidden marijuana garden.
In conclusion, the origin of 4/20 is a fascinating story that shows how a simple code between friends can evolve into a global phenomenon. It's a reminder of the power of grassroots movements and how they can shape our culture. So, if you're planning to celebrate 4/20 this year, take a moment to appreciate the history behind this special day.