Interested in the Origins of 4/20?

There’s been many an urban myth about how the extraordinary 4/20 holiday came to be. Since we are within a week of this magical time, I wanted to put pen to paper to elucidate how this fun celebration originated.

The holiday, as well as the “420” moniker for cannabis, was actually created by a group of highschool-aged Californians in the 1970s, who called themselves the “Waldos”. The group was tipped off to a wild patch of cannabis that was growing nearby in Point Reyes, California. Like you’d expect of a bunch of rambunctious and rebellious teenage boys, the group decided that they had to take action.

The Waldos decided to embark on what they called the “Waldo Safari” to try and find the wild cannabis. And so, every day after high school and sports practice, the Waldos met up at 4:20 PM, smoked some pot, and then piled into their 1966 Chevrolet Impala to search for the cannabis supply. Reminds me of high school days with my friends!

Funny enough, the troupe never found the infamous cannabis patch. But in their search, they discovered something more important: a new 4/20 tradition that celebrates what cannabis is all about - kicking back and relaxing with close friends.

Word about the 4/20 tradition spread like wildfire, and cannabis users around the world started to adopt the “420” moniker to signify cannabis consumption. The rest is history!

For more on the original 4/20 story and the story of the Waldos, check out their website here.

I am thankful to the Waldos and their story for gifting us with my favorite holiday, 4/20. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones in your home or virtually with your friends this year, I'm wishing you a wonderful time celebrating!