In short: it’s a code for members of the cannabis community. It’s pronounced “four twenty.” The code dates back to 1971 in the United States. According to legend, five American students from San Rafael High School met every day after class at 4:20 p.m. to get high. This term quickly caught on and spread internationally. Naturally, the date associated with the number, April 20th, is now celebrated worldwide as “420 Day.”

A code from stoner treasure hunters goes around the world

The students mentioned above met regularly after school at the statue of “Louis Pasteur” (the inventor of pasteurization), located in front of the high school. It might sound a bit poetic, but this group of students was searching for treasure and called themselves “The Waldos.” Sounds like a typical 1980s coming-of-age movie? Well, it kind of was.

One of the students had received a treasure map from a lighthouse keeper. The mark on the map supposedly indicated an abandoned cannabis plantation. The five friends were reportedly so motivated to find the treasure that they met at the Louis Pasteur statue every day and set off from there in search of the plantation. Naturally, not without lighting up beforehand.

The birth of 420

Since the Waldos didn’t find success right away, they met every day after school at “420,” meaning twenty past four, at the Louis Pasteur statue. After a stress-relieving joint from school pressure, they resumed their search for the cannabis treasure.

The number code gained worldwide fame through the band “Grateful Dead.” Thanks to word-of-mouth, the story reached them, and they made a song about it. Due to the band’s popularity within the cannabis community, they turned the 420 slogan into a global code and a synonym for the cannabis scene.

420 Day

Based on this story, every year on April 20th, the so-called “420 Day” is celebrated internationally by the cannabis community and quickly evolved into a World Cannabis Day. Many producers and retailers use this day to continue the tradition with special promotions and to revive the story each year. And of course, to boost sales along the way.