420 originally "4:20 Louis" | |
---|---|
Observed by | Cannabis counterculture, legal reformers, entheogenic spiritualists, and general users of cannabis |
Type | Secular |
Significance | Time/date to celebrate cannabis |
Observances | Cannabis consumption, traditionally cannabis smoking, dispensary discounts |
Date | 4:20 p.m./April 20 |
Frequency | Daily, annually |
420, 4:20 or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) is cannabis culture slang for marijuana and hashish consumption, especially smoking around the time 4:20 p.m. (16:20). It also refers to cannabis-oriented celebrations that take place annually on April 20 (4/20 in U.S. date form). [3] [4]
Five high school students in San Rafael, California, [5] [6] coined the term as part of their 1971 search for an abandoned cannabis crop, based on a treasure map made by the grower. [7] [8] Calling themselves the Waldos, [9] [10] because their typical hang-out spot "was a wall outside the school", [11] the five students—Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich [12] —designated the Louis Pasteur statue [13] on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20 p.m. as their meeting time. [11] The Waldos referred to this plan with the phrase "4:20 Louis". After several failed attempts to find the crop, the group eventually shortened their phrase to "4:20", which ultimately evolved into a code-word the teens used to refer to consuming cannabis. [7]
Steven Hager of High Times popularized the story of the Waldos. [14] The first High Times mention of 4:20 smoking and a 4/20 holiday appeared in May 1991 [15] and erroneously attributed the origin of the term to a police code; this and other spurious incorrect origin stories became common. [16] The connection to the Waldos appeared in December 1998. Hager attributed the early spread of the phrase to Grateful Dead followers [17] —after "Waldo" Reddix became a roadie for the Grateful Dead bassist, Phil Lesh [12] —and called for 4:20 p.m. to be the socially accepted time of the day to consume cannabis. [17]
Another San Rafael group claims to have originated the term before the Waldos. [18]
April 20 has become an international counterculture holiday based on the celebration and consumption of cannabis. [3] [19] [20] Events typically advocate for cannabis liberalization and legalization. Vivian McPeak, a founder of Seattle's Hempfest, states that 4/20 is "half celebration and half call to action". [21] Paul Birch calls it a global movement and suggests that one cannot stop events like these. [22]
Many marijuana users protest in civil disobedience by gathering in public to smoke at 4:20 p.m. [23]
As marijuana continues to be decriminalized and legalized around the world, cannabis activist Steve DeAngelo notes that "even if our activist work were complete, 420 morphs from a statement of conscience to a celebration of acceptance, a celebration of victory, a celebration of our amazing connection with this plant" which "will always be worthy of celebration". [24] [25]
North American observances have been held at many locations, including:
Australian observances have been held at many locations, over many years, including:
Events have also been held in Hyde Park in London [63] and Dunedin, New Zealand, at the University of Otago. [64] [65] [66] [67] [68] [69]
In Ljubljana, Slovenia, the University of Ljubljana's student organization has carried out several annual cannabis-themed protests that have contributed to the debate on cannabis status in Slovenia and the subsequent legislation proposals in 2018 by gathering responses from various political parties in Slovenia and ranking them accordingly. [70] [71]
In Northern Cyprus, known for strict drug laws and intolerance to cannabis consumption, [72] the first 420 event was held in the capital city Lefkoşa in 2015. On April 20, 2017, a small group of protesters carried out an event near the parliament building and made a public statement, demanding the legalization of cannabis sale, consumption, and production with state regulations. [73]
Part of a series on |
Cannabis |
---|
Despite two studies reporting a supposed increase in the risk of fatal motor vehicle crashes on April 20, [74] [75] further investigation and analysis found the evidence did not support such claims. [76] [77] [78] [79]
In the US, signs bearing the number 420 have been frequently stolen. In Colorado, the Colorado Department of Transportation replaced the Mile Marker 420 sign on I-70 east of Denver with one reading 419.99 in an attempt to stop the thievery. [80] The Colorado DOT usually will not replace signs that are repeatedly taken, but began the practice of replacing further down the road after "69" mile marker signs were frequently stolen—these were replaced with "68.5 mile" ones. [81] The Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) replaced the mile marker 420 sign on U.S. Highway 95, just south of Coeur d'Alene, with mile marker 419.9. [82] The Washington State Department of Transportation implemented similar measures, [83] but only replaced one of the two 420 signs in the state, with the remaining one being subsequently stolen. [81] According to The Washington Post , there are eleven 420 mile markers in the US, after three replacements and one stolen and not replaced. [84] In Goodhue County, Minnesota, officials have changed "420 St" street signs to "42x St". [85] The mile marker 420 sign on U.S. Route 89, the only 420 marker in the state of Utah, is frequently stolen. [86]
In 2003, California Senate Bill 420 was introduced to regulate medical marijuana use. An unsuccessful 2010 bill to legalize cannabis in Guam was called Bill 420. [87] A North Dakota bill to legalize cannabis was HB 1420, introduced in January 2021. [88]
The Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act (which if enacted would decriminalize and deschedule cannabis in the United States) was announced by Senator and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) on April 20, 2018. [89] [90] On January 9, 2019, H.R. 420 was introduced into the 116th Congress by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), named the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which is designed to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and return regulation to the states. [91]
The State of Colorado auctioned off several cannabis-themed personalized license plates in 2021, with the bidding to be closed on April 20 (4/20). The highest bid shortly before the auction closed was over $6,500 for "ISIT420". [92]
Following the success of Washington, D.C.'s Initiative 71 to legalize cannabis in 2014, Mayor Muriel Bowser granted license plate number 420 to the campaign's leader, Adam Eidinger. [93]
Several books about cannabis have "420" in the title, including the cannabis cookbooks The 420 Cannabis Cookbook, published by Simon & Schuster, [94] and The 420 Gourmet published in 2016 by HarperCollins. [95] [96]
Some American restaurants offer "420" themed promotions to coincide with April 20.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted in 2018 about taking his company private at $420 a share. Musk testified during the trial that any associations with cannabis were coincidental [97] [98] but in the SEC filing he admitted that he had recently discovered the number's importance within the cannabis culture and thought his girlfriend would find it funny. [99] Musk purchased Twitter in 2022 at $54.20 per share and the financing documents were signed on April 20, acknowledging the reference to marijuana culture. [99]
Dennis Robert Peron was an American activist and businessman who became a leader in the movement for the legalization of cannabis throughout the 1990s. He influenced many in California and thus changed the political debate on marijuana in the United States.
Cannabis culture describes a social atmosphere or series of associated social behaviors that depend heavily upon cannabis consumption, particularly as an entheogen, recreational drug and medicine.
Cannabis in California has been legal for medical use since 1996, and for recreational use since late 2016. The state of California has been at the forefront of efforts to liberalize cannabis laws in the United States, beginning in 1972 with the nation's first ballot initiative attempting to legalize cannabis. Although it was unsuccessful, California would later become the first state to legalize medical cannabis through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, which passed with 56% voter approval. In November 2016, California voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act with 57% of the vote, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis.
In the United States, cannabis is legal in 39 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. At the federal level, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, prohibiting its use for any purpose. Despite this prohibition, federal law is generally not enforced against the possession, cultivation, or intrastate distribution of cannabis in states where such activity has been legalized. Beginning in 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration has initiated a review to potentially move cannabis to the less-restrictive Schedule III.
The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
The "Burnside Burn" was an event held on the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, starting at midnight on July 1, 2015, the day recreational marijuana became legal in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was organized by Portland NORML, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, having originated from its executive director, who wanted to photograph himself in front of the White Stag sign in the moments after Oregon Ballot Measure 91 took effect. The crowd, larger than anticipated, numbered in the thousands and at times blocked traffic lanes on the bridge. Some attendees wanted to commemorate the moment, while others were motivated by announcements of free marijuana and seeds. No fines were issued for consumption in public. The event was covered by cannabis publications, local and national news outlets, and the HBO television series Vice.
"Weed the People", officially "Weed the People: A Cannabis Legalization Celebration", was an event held in Portland on July 3, 2015, two days after recreational marijuana became legal in the U.S. state of Oregon. Sponsored by the Portland Mercury and two cannabis companies, the event was attended by an estimated 1,500–2,000 people, who were provided up to seven grams of marijuana for immediate consumption or to take home. Organizers complied with restrictions on recreational sales by distributing free cannabis and required attendees to pay an entry fee. More than 1,300 tickets were sold, but the building's 500-person capacity meant long wait times to enter. Media outlets reported on the historic nature of the event, which was described as a "stoner's paradise" and a celebration of freedom.
Cannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in prison and a fine of up to $2000. Several of the state's major municipalities have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties or limit enforcement, however.
Cannabis in Pennsylvania is illegal for recreational use, but possession of small amounts is decriminalized in several of the state's largest cities. Medical use was legalized in 2016 through a bill passed by the state legislature.
Cannabis is legal in Illinois for both medical and recreational use. Illinois became the eleventh state in the US to legalize recreational marijuana effective January 1, 2020.
Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis became effective on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021.
Cannabis in Florida is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to 20 grams is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the suspension of one's driver's license. Several cities and counties have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties, however.
Weed: The User's Guide: A 21st Century Handbook for Enjoying Marijuana is a 2016 book about cannabis by Seattle writer David Schmader. Schmader is also a writer for The Stranger, a Seattle alt weekly newspaper, where he writes a cannabis column as of August 2016. The book is in part a cannabis cookbook, containing an edibles recipe section.
The Cannabis Act is a law which legalized recreational cannabis use in Canada in combination with its companion legislation Bill C-46, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code. The law is a milestone in the legal history of cannabis in Canada, alongside the 1923 prohibition.
Terms related to cannabis include:
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, also known as Proposal 1, was an initiative that appeared on the November 2018 ballot to legalize cannabis in the U.S. state of Michigan. The initiative allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 g) of cannabis and to grow up to 12 plants at home. The initiative was approved with 56% of the vote.
A cannabis cookbook is a cookbook for preparing cannabis edibles, often in the form of a baking guide. According to The New York Times, baking recipes are popular because "[THC] dosing is easier to control in batter-based dishes or chocolate". Such cookbooks existed prior to United States legalization; The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book published in 1954, for instance, or The Marijuana Chef Cookbook published in 2001 under the pseudonym S.T. Oner, but became more commonplace after California and other states legalized in the 2010s. Notable chefs like Laurie Wolf and Jasmine Shimoda have created or contributed to cannabis cookbooks.
The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is a proposed bill in the United States Congress to recognize legalization of cannabis by the states. The authors are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Ron Wyden.
Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis is a crowdfunded 2015 cannabis cookbook by American author and chef Laurie Wolf with Melissa Parks, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis. It has been noted as one of the first pertaining to cooking with cannabis after legalization in several U.S. states.