Every year on 4/20, cannabis lovers light up, link up, and lean into the good vibes. But have you ever stopped mid-joint and wondered, wait, why is 4/20 even a thing? Like, who decided this was our official holiday?
Here at Shore House Canna recreational cannabis dispensary, we honor the roots of cannabis culture while keeping it current. So we’re diving into the real history behind 4/20 to find out how a true story of a few high school kids turned a random time of day into a global celebration of a plant we love.
The Real Origins: High Schoolers with a Map
Turns out the origins of 4/20 aren’t some police code or secret stoner society. It’s a story about a bunch of high school kids in the 1970s looking for free weed.
The Waldos were a group of friends at San Rafael High School in California back in 1971. They called themselves that because they liked to hang out by a wall after school (yeah, it really is that simple). One day, they heard a rumor about an abandoned cannabis crop somewhere nearby planted by a Coast Guard service member who could no longer tend to it. Naturally, the Waldos were intrigued.
They’d meet up at 4:20, pile into a car, and set off on their “treasure hunt” using a hand-drawn map. Before each adventure, they’d say, “4:20 Louis” (Louis being the friend who gave them the intel). Eventually, “Louis” dropped off, and “4:20” became the inside code for getting high.
At first, it was just their thing, a casual joke between friends. But word spread, other students picked it up, then other schools, then soon enough, 4:20 had left the San Rafael schoolyard and started showing up in the broader California cannabis scene. It was lowkey, organic, and totally unintentional, but it laid the groundwork for something way bigger.
The Grateful Dead Connection
So how did this random time of day used by teens turn into a full-blown cannabis holiday? You can thank The Grateful Dead for that.
One of the Waldos had an inside connection. His dad managed the real estate for the band, and another friend’s older brother was close with members of the crew. That meant the Waldos had backstage access to the scene and started using “420” around Deadheads.
As you might guess, it caught on fast. The term started circulating within the band’s massive fanbase. This crowd famously loved cannabis and had a thing for secret codes and counterculture language. “420” quickly became shorthand for lighting up, chilling out, and being part of something a little rebellious and a lot communal.
From Codeword to Counterculture Holiday
By the early ‘90s, High Times Magazine, basically the cannabis bible of the era, caught wind of the term and ran with it. They started using 420 in their articles, printed it on merch, and promoted April 20th as the day to celebrate all things weed.
Activists, advocates, and everyday cannabis lovers began to rally around the date, which turned it into a platform. A day to protest unjust laws, fight for legalization, educate the public, and show up for the communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.
As the cannabis movement grew, so did the reach of 4/20. What started with a group of teens in California became a worldwide celebration complete with festivals, rallies, concerts, and yes, dispensary deals (we got those too). It’s a day that blends joy, resistance, and unity in a way no other holiday quite does.
Why We Celebrate 4/20 at Shore House Canna
On 4/20, we celebrate the roots of cannabis culture, the people who paved the way, and the progress we’ve made together as a community. However, the day also serves as a moment to pause, reflect, and recognize the history that brought us here.
We can’t talk about cannabis culture without acknowledging the reality that millions of people, especially Black and Brown communities, have been harmed by cannabis prohibition. While legalization continues to move forward, the impact of the War on Drugs is far from over.
That’s why this day matters to us. It’s centered around progress, community, and creating a space that’s welcoming, informed, and inclusive.
4/20 Festivities at SHC
We use 4/20 to celebrate how far we’ve come and to stay mindful of how much further we need to go. And, of course, we still bring the joy and excitement! Cannabis is about healing, connection, and feeling good, after all. Join us for this year’s 4/20 festivities! We’re hosting a BYOC (bring your own cannabis) Puf n Paint event at Rea’s Farm on Saturday April, 19th, where we’ll be painting our own surfboards! (Tickets are sold out! Hope you got yours!)
We’re also celebrating with in-store with special deals and a whole lot of love. Come visit our premier Jersey Shore dispensary. Together, let’s celebrate the plant and the people who make this community what it is. Happy 4/20, Louis!
The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
