420 originally "4:20 Louis" | |
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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 pm (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]
In 1971, five high school students in San Rafael, California, [5] [6] used the term "4:20" in connection with a plan to 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 pm 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's bassist, Phil Lesh [12] —and called for 4:20 pm 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]
Created in 1989, the reform organization Cannabis Action Network, associated with High Times, is often credited for giving to 420 and the date April 20 marked elements of political and cultural protest, organizing rallies on that date and assisting other groups in setting up other events.
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 pm. [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]
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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] however, the folklore of the 419.99 sign has caused it to be stolen, too, as well as becoming a tourist destination. As of August 2018, the sign was missing, presumed stolen. [81] 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. [82] 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. [83] The Washington State Department of Transportation implemented similar measures, [84] but only replaced one of the two 420 signs in the state, with the remaining one being subsequently stolen. [82] According to The Washington Post , there are eleven 420 mile markers in the US, after three replacements and one stolen and not replaced. [85] In Goodhue County, Minnesota, officials have changed "420 St" street signs to "42x St". [86] The mile marker 420 sign on U.S. Route 89, the only 420 marker in the state of Utah, is frequently stolen. [87]
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. [88] A North Dakota bill to legalize cannabis was HB 1420, introduced in January 2021. [89]
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. [90] [91] 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. [92]
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". [93]
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. [94]
Several books about cannabis have "420" in the title, including the cannabis cookbooks The 420 Cannabis Cookbook, published by Simon & Schuster, [95] and The 420 Gourmet published in 2016 by HarperCollins. [96] [97]
In 2018, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he planned to take his company private at $420 a share. The price was widely considered to be a marijuana reference. A jury found him not liable in 2023 for misleading investors. Musk testified during the trial that any associations with cannabis were coincidental. [98] [99] Musk later went to purchase Twitter in 2022 at a price per share of $54.20, acknowledging the reference to marijuana culture and because his girlfriend thought it was funny. [100]
Some American restaurants offer "420" themed promotions to coincide with April 20.
The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country, in terms of its possession, distribution, and cultivation, and how it can be consumed and what medical conditions it can be used for. These policies in most countries are regulated by three United Nations treaties: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Since its descheduling in 2020, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Single Convention treaty, meaning that signatories can allow medical use but that it is considered to be an addictive drug with a serious risk of abuse.
The Global Marijuana March (GMM), also referred to as the Million Marijuana March (MMM), is an annual rally held at different locations around the world on the first Saturday in May. A notable event in cannabis culture, it is associated with cannabis-themed events, which may include marches, meetings, rallies, raves, concerts, festivals, and attempts at educational outreach.
In the United States, the non-medical use of cannabis is legalized in 24 states and decriminalized in 7 states, as of November 2023. Decriminalization refers to a policy of reduced penalties for cannabis offenses, typically involving a civil penalty for possessing small amounts, instead of criminal prosecution or the threat of arrest. In jurisdictions without penalty the policy is referred to as legalization, although the term decriminalization is sometimes used for this purpose as well.
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.
The use, sale, and possession of cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight in the United States, despite laws in many states permitting it under various circumstances, is illegal under federal law. As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight is considered to have "no accepted medical use" and a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. Cannabis use is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs. However, individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses, including medical, industrial, and recreational use.
Oaksterdam University is self-recognized as the world's first cannabis college. Located in Oakland, CA, the educational facility was founded in November 2007 by medical marijuana activist Richard Lee to offer quality training for the cannabis industry, with a mission to "legitimize the business and work to change the law to make cannabis legal." Its main campus was formerly located in Downtown Oakland, Calif. On March 8, 2020, fire damaged the Oaksterdam campus at which time the brick and mortar location closed. Classes are currently held online only, both asynchronous and in real time. The university has graduated nearly 50,000 students from more than 40 countries.
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.
California Proposition 19 was a ballot initiative on the November 2, 2010, statewide ballot. It was defeated, with 53.5% of California voters voting "No" and 46.5% voting "Yes." If passed, it would have legalized various marijuana-related activities, allowed local governments to regulate these activities, permitted local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes, and authorized various criminal and civil penalties. In March 2010, it qualified to be on the November statewide ballot. The proposition required a simple majority in order to pass, and would have taken effect the day after the election. Yes on 19 was the official advocacy group for the initiative and California Public Safety Institute: No On Proposition 19 was the official opposition group.
In the United States, cannabis is legal in 38 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.
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.
Cannabis in Massachusetts is legal for medical and recreational use. It also relates to the legal and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. A century after becoming the first U.S. state to criminalize recreational cannabis, Massachusetts voters elected to legalize it in 2016.
Cannabis in Vermont as of May 2004 is legal for medical use, and legal for recreational use as of July 1, 2018.
Cannabis in Guam has been legal for medical use since 2015 and legal for recreational use since April 2019. Guam was the first United States Territory to legalize medical marijuana, passing via a ballot referendum in 2014.
The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) was a 2016 voter initiative to legalize cannabis in California. The full name is the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The initiative passed with 57% voter approval and became law on November 9, 2016, leading to recreational cannabis sales in California by January 2018.
Cannabis in Nevada became legal for recreational use on January 1, 2017, following the passage of Question 2 on the 2016 ballot with 54% of the vote. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on July 1, 2017.
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 in New Mexico is legal for recreational use as of June 29, 2021. A bill to legalize recreational use – House Bill 2, the Cannabis Regulation Act – was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 12, 2021. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on April 1, 2022.
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.
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.
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