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420 (cannabis culture)

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Graffiti showing "4:20"

4:20 or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenny) is a term used in North America as a discreet way to refer to cannabis and, by extension, a way to identify oneself with cannabis culture. Phrases such as "420 friendly" sometimes appear in roommate advertisements, indicating that the current occupants are tolerant of cannabis users.[1]

Origins and observances

It is widely accepted that in 1971, a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, California, calling themselves "The Waldos", used to meet every day after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at the Louis Pasteur statue.[2][3] The term became part of their group's salute, "420 Louis,"[4] and it eventually caught on more widely. Many 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.[5][6]

There are also many apocryphal urban legends attempting to explain the origin of the term. Two of the most common of these are that 420 refers to the number of active ingredients in cannabis, or that it is police dispatch code for cannabis.[7] In actual fact there are around 315 active chemicals in cannabis, varying depending on the exact plant used, and 420 has never been verified as the police dispatch code for anything in any locale.[8]

420 campaign

See Also: Arguments for and against drug prohibition and Decriminalization of marijuana in the United States

The widespread popularity of 4/20 celebrations in the U.S. has brought about calls advocating for the reform of American marijuana laws. 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."[9] In addition to contacting state and national legislators, people can take action by supporting organizations—such as NORML and MPP—which support the legalization of marijuana for a variety of reasons.

Cultural references

References

  1. ^ "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 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "420 (Language)". Snopes.com - Urban Legends Reference Pages. 2005-04-19. Retrieved 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "420 Timeline". High Times. 2005. Retrieved 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Maria Alicia Gaura (2000-04-20). "Stoner Chic Traces Origin To San Rafael: Snickering high schoolers brought `420' into lexicon". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Steven Hager discusses 4/20 on ABC News as a "counterculture holiday"
  6. ^ Students gathering on 4/20 at Colorado University in Boulder
  7. ^ What is 420?/Known 420 Myths
  8. ^ [cite web | title = What Does '420' Mean? | author = Denise Witmer | url = http://www.hightimes.com/ht/lounge/index.php?page=420 | accessdate = 2007-04-20 }}
  9. ^ 420 Campaign: The Strategy for Legalization
  10. ^ Captain Cannabis comic book
  11. ^ Highway 420 Cannabis Rally site
  12. ^ Marijuana-Logues cast recording
  13. ^ "NORML Launches Daily "AudioStash" New 30-Minute Podcast Available At 4:20". NORML. June 15, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  14. ^ "New Method Man Album 4:21...The Day After". Sixshot. Retrieved 2007-04-19.
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