420 (cannabis culture)
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4:20 or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) is a term used in North America as a discreet way to refer to the consumption of cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with the drug subculture around cannabis.
[edit] Origins and observances
Although many diverse theories exist to explain the origin of the term, one central root of the phrase stems from a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, California in 1971; the teens would meet after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke cannabis at the Louis Pasteur statue.[2][3][4] The group was known as "The Waldos" because they would sit on a wall[4] and became popularized in the late 1980s by fans of The Grateful Dead.[5] An older origin for the term may have been from "In the Walls of Eryx" by H.P. Lovecraft, where the main character has been influenced by a "mirage-plant", loses his perception of time, then looks at his watch to see that it "was only 4:20." Many North American cannabis users continue to observe 4:20 as a time to smoke communally. By extension April 20 ("4/20" in U.S. dating shorthand) has evolved into a counterculture holiday, where people gather to celebrate and consume cannabis.[6][7][8] In some locations this celebration coincides with Earth Week.[9][10][11]
[edit] 420 Campaign
- See also: Arguments for and against drug prohibition and Decriminalization of marijuana in the United States
The 420 Campaign urges individuals to become involved in the political process and the drug policy reform movement. Specifically, the Campaign calls for leveraging "April 20th as a focal point every year to concentrate pressure on Congress to legalize marijuana."[12] University chapters of NORML, SAFER, and SSDP have started to use 4/20 as a day to educate their campuses and advocate for marijuana policy reform.[13][14]
[edit] References in popular culture
- Phrases such as "420 friendly" sometimes appear in roommate advertisements, indicating that the current occupants are tolerant of cannabis users.[15]
- 420 is the title of a comic book series featuring the alternative superhero Captain Cannabis.[16][17][18][19]
- Noting that "the national weed smoking day is 4/20," rapper Method Man named his 2006 album 4:21...The Day After.[20]
- Horror Movie The Tripper Was released on 4/20 in reference to this.
- 4/20 is also the Anniversary of The Columbine Shootings and is also on Adolf Hitler's Birthday.
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- ^ Lavigne, Andrea (April 25th, 2007), "Celebration up in smoke: Pot supporters celebrate 10th anniversary", Victoria News, <http://www.mapinc.org/newstcl/v07/n525/a08.html>
- ^ 420 (Language). Snopes.com - Urban Legends Reference Pages (2005-04-19). Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ 420 Timeline. High Times (2005). Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ a b Attack of the Show: The Waldos: Truth Behind "420"
- ^ '420' enthusiasts honor cannabis on high holiday. cbs5.com (2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-20.<ref></ref>
- ^ Steven Hager discusses 4/20 on ABC News as a "counterculture holiday"
- ^ Students gathering on 4/20 at Colorado University in Boulder
- ^ Thousands at UCSC burn one to mark cannabis holiday
- ^ Earth Week in Guam
- ^ Earth Week in San Diego
- ^ Earth Week in Victora, BC
- ^ 420 Campaign: The Strategy for Legalization
- ^ Cannabis Nation Celebrates 4/20 -- Dozens of Campus Actions
- ^ SAFER taking nation by storm on 4/20
- ^ Boulder Renters Seek Pot-Smoking Roommates: Boulder Still a Bastion of Hippies and Radicals, Apparently. New West (Living section) - The Voice of the Rocky Mountains (2006-05-08). Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ Captain Cannabis comic book
- ^ High Times Magazine, February 2007, The Buzz section page 13, "Sensi Superman"
- ^ Skunk Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 8, Cool Stuff section, "420 Verne Signature Series"
- ^ QsHouse Radio/iPod Interview - Verne Andru: the George Lucas of the comic world
- ^ "New Method Man Album 4:21...The Day After", Sixshot. Retrieved on 2007-04-19. (English)
[edit] External links
- The Power of 420: Transforming the universal code into a collective consciousness for stoners. Karen Bettez Halnon, originally published in High Times, May 2003.
- Capitalist buzz builds around stoner ‘holiday’. Mike Stuckey, MSNBC, 16 April 2008.
- 420 Timeline/When's Your 420? High Times
- High Holy Day for Potheads. Wired News, April 20, 2001.
- 4:20 Revealed. Viper's Lair, March 22, 2004.
- What does the number 420 signify, and why? Phish.net FAQ
- 420 Campaign: Strategy for Legalization archive of related articles
- The Neighborhood King theories on the origin of the term
- Vansterdam British Columbia 4/20 Celebration April 2007 video
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