The Origin of 420

Decoding 420

The term “420” holds its own kind of rich folklore, and for good reason—as circles of cannabis fans likely traded tales between puffs, passing on their own spins of where 420 came from, long before the world wide web was a thing. But beyond the many myths there is an actual true story here to unlock.

The Unlikely Origins of 420

The true tale begins in the early 1970s in San Rafael, California. A group of high school friends known as "the Waldos” learned of a hidden cannabis crop, planted in the woods by one of the friends’ brothers. With a map in hand, the Waldos would embark on a quest to find the hidden crop. To commence their search, the friends would meet at 4:20pm and smoke a joint before heading out. Although their search efforts proved fruitless, or shall we say “budless”, they discovered something far greater — a new code word for consuming cannabis: 420.

Thanks to the group’s ties to The Grateful Dead, this inside joke would soon turn into a global phenomenon. When the friends began running in the same circles as the band, the slang spread and took on a life of its own. Skipping ahead to the '90s, a flyer at a Grateful Dead concert marked "420"’s entrance into the global Cannabis lexicon, and the term spread like wildfire. By the early '90s, 4/20 would become an international day of celebration.

Celebrating Today

Today, 420 is marked with festivals, gatherings and events worldwide. For some it’s a single day in April to recognize the journey, history, and benefits of cannabis, and a way to celebrate its legal victories, all while calling for continued advocacy and legalization. For others it’s an afternoon ritual and reminder of the positive and powerful role cannabis can play in daily life.

42024: Cannabis Unlocked

This April at Curaleaf, we’re unlocking more of what this incredibly powerful plant can do. From new and interesting ways to consume to educational ways to deepen our connections to the plant—there’s more in store for everyone at Curaleaf. Be sure to drop by, say hi and experience it for yourself.