The Haze-y History of 420

We all know what's coming up. It's most stoners' favorite three numbers, '420'. This is a day where all Herbalists, Potheads, Stoners, and Herbivores come together to celebrate and consume everyone's favorite 'green', but where did these three numbers even come from? What started this universal symbolism for weed lovers worldwide? Let's go over the haze-y history of these iconic numbers. It's time for us to talk about five former stoners from the West Coast that accidently created the '420' phrase that's still in use today.

In 1971, the five highschoolers, Steve Capper, Jeffery Noel, Dave Reddix, Mark Gravich and Larry Schwartz from San Rafael California Highschool used the term '4:20' in correlation to the plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop, based off a treasure map created by it's grower. It was their own personal stoner mission. They called themselves the 'Waldos' because their typical hang-out was behind a wall outside of their school.

The 'Waldos' used the Louis Pasteur statue on the grounds of San Rafael Highschool as their agreed meeting spot where they would always meet up at 4:20 pm. They called this, '4:20 Louis'. After a few not so successful attempts to find this secret stash, they decided on just the code word '420' with a nod. Once people started catching on to their secret weed mission, it started to spread all across the school like wildfire. Eventually hitting the local music scene.

Steven Hagar was the one responsible for publicizing the story of the 'Waldos' in a very popular weed culture magazine of the 70s called 'High Times'. The first time 'High Times' mentions '4:20' as a time to smoke as well the 4/20 holiday, was in the May issue of 1991. The connection of that to the 'Waldos' story came about in December of 1998.

Hagar pinned the '420' phrase to the 'Deadheads' ('The Grateful Dead' fans.) He gave credit where credit is due because, Dave Reddix from the 'Waldos' actually became a roadie for The Grateful Dead's bassist Phil Lesh and made it official that 4:20 pm be the socially accepted hour to smoke. I mean if your a roadie for a huge band in the 70s and you announce 4:20 pm as a time to smoke, you're practically a canna-god, are you not? We definitely should roll a big one next week, for both Steven Hagar and Dave Reddix for creating this huge staple within the cannabis community. Who would have thought, 5 stoners of the 70s would have created such a movement without even meaning to. Although those five stoners never did get that free bud, they created something a lot more everlasting.

'420' is not only a day celebrated in the U.S. It's acknowledged all over the world. It represents a very special part of our cannabis history. It has evolved over the years from just being that small voice of conscience to becoming a celebration of acceptance and now a victory of our own personal connection with this unique plant, with it being fully legalized in 15 states and medically legal in 33.

It's because of the 'Waldos', Dave Reddix, Steven Hagar, 'High Times' along with so many other advocates and allies throughout cannabis' history, that we are able to celebrate and consume cannabis on 4/20 and every day in between.

It's because of them that we have morphed beautifuly into a more, cannabis positive society. We are learning to detach from the taboo of cannabis while we focus on forming a more educated and positive connection to this special plant and all of it's abilities. That is always a day worth celebrating, if you ask me!

Now that you know a little bit of '420's' history, why not be a part of it? Join our celebration and check out Athena's Gifts menu to see how you can donate to get gifted! You'll find plenty of delicious and high quality cannabis products to choose from. We have THC infused treats and drinks for those that like to eat or drink their weed. As well as vape carts and flowers, varying from exotic to premium, sativa, indica and hybrid, for all you tokers and smokers. We don't judge how you choose to consume, as long as we're consuming together. We're in the District, so if your a Resident or you're just stopping by to show some love come celebrate with us!