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The annual cannabis celebration, widely recognized as 4/20, coincides this year with Easter Sunday and the final day of Passover. This convergence allows marijuana enthusiasts to commemorate the occasion uniquely, with events like an “Easter nug hunt” planned in Los Angeles, kosher-inspired THC edibles in New York, and a “blaze and praise” drag brunch in Portland, Oregon. The 4/20 holiday, synonymous with cannabis culture, becomes even more distinctive this year, blending with other significant cultural and religious observances.
The Genesis of 4/20
The precise beginnings of the date, and the term “420” itself, have been historically shrouded in uncertainty.
Some theories suggested it originated as a police code for marijuana possession or was linked to Bob Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35,” where multiplying 12 by 35 yields 420.
However, the most accepted explanation traces back to the 1970s and a group of high school students from San Rafael High School, known as “the Waldos,” located in Marin County, north of San Francisco.
According to the narrative, a friend’s brother, concerned about potential legal repercussions for an illicit cannabis crop he was cultivating in the woods near Point Reyes, provided a map and granted permission to the teenagers to harvest it.
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In the autumn of 1971, at 4:20 p.m., after school and sports practices, the group would convene at the school’s statue of chemist Louis Pasteur. There, they would smoke marijuana and then venture out to locate the hidden cannabis patch. Despite their efforts, they never found it, but their code phrase — initially “420 Louie” and later shortened to “420” — acquired its own widespread significance.
The Waldos meticulously preserved letters and other items from the 1970s containing the “420” reference, which they currently store in a bank vault. In 2017, when the Oxford English Dictionary formally included the term, it cited some of these documents as among the earliest recorded instances of its usage.
The Expansion of 4/20’s Popularity
The brother of one of the Waldos had a close relationship with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, a connection Lesh himself verified in a HuffPost interview. As the Waldos began associating with the band’s inner circle, the slang phrase began to disseminate more broadly.
Moving into the early 1990s, Steve Bloom, a journalist for the cannabis publication High Times, attended a Grateful Dead concert and received a flyer inviting attendees to “meet at 4:20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County at the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. Tamalpais.” High Times subsequently published this flyer.
“It’s a phenomenon,” Steve Capper, one of the Waldos, now 69, remarked to The Associated Press. “Most things fade away within a few years, but this just continues to grow. It’s unlikely someone will decide to move ‘Cannabis New Year’s’ to June 23rd.”
While the Waldos originated the term, the creators of the flyer distributed at the Grateful Dead concert – effectively transforming 4/20 into a recognized holiday – remain unidentified.
Contemporary Celebrations of 4/20
Celebrations predominantly feature cannabis consumption.
In New York City, Tokin’ Jew, a cannabis brand, is promoting a line of kosher-style THC gummies named “Tokin’ Chews,” specifically formulated to adhere to Passover dietary regulations.
Brett Davis, organizer of the West Hollywood Easter nug hunt, anticipated 300 participants for the weekend event. Participants will use a mobile application guiding them to participating dispensaries, engaging in trivia, and completing “stoner activities.” A $500 cash prize is offered.
In Portland, Bar Carlo hosted a “blaze and praise” drag brunch. Although onsite cannabis consumption was prohibited — the event listing advised, “Please consume cannabis before arriving or take a walk in the neighborhood between performances” — a gift basket from a local dispensary served as a door prize.
Bar owner Melinda Archuleta explained that the brunch served as a trial for hosting Pride month activities in June. While not personally enthusiastic about marijuana, as a Mexican American influenced by Catholicism, she found interest in exploring the fusion of these two cultures “in a playful way.”
“I’m genuinely interested to observe how the drag queens interpret it,” Archuleta stated. “We’ve given them complete creative freedom—it’s an event for those 21 and older—so whether it’s irreverent or slightly offensive is unimportant.”
Larger events also take place, including the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver and an event organized by SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta. Hippie Hill in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, traditionally drawing large crowds, was canceled for the second consecutive year due to a lack of financial backing and city budget constraints.
Just north of San Francisco Bay, Lagunitas Brewing in Petaluma, California, annually releases its “Waldos’ Special Ale” on 4/20, in collaboration with the individuals who coined the term.
4/20 has also evolved into a significant industry convention, attracting vendors to showcase and sample products.
Political Landscape Surrounding Cannabis
Currently, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, with an additional 14 permitting it for medical use. Recently, the cannabis movement has faced obstacles, with voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejecting legalization measures in the previous November elections.
Several states have also intensified regulations on intoxicating products derived from hemp, which, owing to a provision in the federal Farm Bill, have been widely available even in states where cannabis is prohibited.
Marijuana remains federally illegal. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump indicated support for Florida’s amendment and suggested potential backing for reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance—a process initiated by the Biden administration.
However, the current administration has not signaled that cannabis policy is a primary focus. A recent White House fact sheet criticized Washington, D.C.’s marijuana decriminalization, citing it as an example of “failed policies” that “opened the door to disorder.”
A bipartisan group of senators recently reintroduced legislation designed to ensure states can establish their own cannabis regulations and eliminate certain financial obstacles for the industry, such as allowing businesses to deduct standard business expenses on their tax returns.
Charles Alovisetti, an attorney specializing in cannabis law at Vicente LLP, expressed hope that the administration will advance federal marijuana reform, stating, “it aligns with some of their policy goals—specifically reducing criminal activity, or cartel activity.”
He also urged advocates to maintain their efforts, noting that measures such as improving banking access for marijuana businesses might be enacted as components of broader legislative packages.
“Continue to voice your concerns, even if immediate political progress is not apparent,” Alovisetti advised. “Progress becomes possible only through persistent advocacy.”