The truth about 420
Cannabis Secrets Revealed: The truth about 420
The number 420 has become an integral part of the cannabis community. By now, you've probably heard FourTwenty a million times in every context imaginable. But who and what is really behind it? The Rothschilds, Illuminati, Atlantis, or a small group of stoners from California? We'll fill you in!
Myths and legends
Why does the number 420 play such a big role for weed enthusiasts? Countless myths, urban legends, and bizarre tales have been woven around the theme of 420, similar to the legend that cows can be knocked over while sleeping and are no longer able to get up on their own. Or that Elvis Presley was abducted by aliens, or that crocodiles live in the sewers of New York.
But back to the topic of why stoners from all over the world take a break at 4:20, like the 5 O'Clock Tea in Great Britain is the time for a cup of tea. Are there perhaps 420 active substances in the cannabis plant or is it an internal code of the Californian police on the subject of hemp? No, all wrong! Fake News!
Where is Waldo?
The truth about "Code 420" is that a small student group from California, who also called themselves the Waldos, found a map that they hoped would help them find a cannabis plantation.
During autumn 1971, they always met at 16:20 - to look for the plantation. After several failed attempts they gave up the search. What remained is only the exact time at which they met. 420 turned into a synonym for smoking cannabis.
The three numbers only gained worldwide fame through the concerts of the rock band Grateful Dead. The bassist Philip Lesh was a friend of the Waldos and they started educating fans on the code via their concert flyers. In 1990, a High Times Magazine journalist got hold of one of these flyers and revealed the secret of the legendary number 420.
Today more than ever, also due to the legalization of cannabis in some parts of the world, the term 420 is established. It is a code to find like-minded people. Especially on social media, people use the number to identify themselves.
