History of Cannabis 420

Ancient Beginnings

Cannabis has been used by human civilizations for thousands of years, both for its medicinal and psychoactive properties.

• China (circa 2700 BCE): The earliest recorded use of cannabis comes from Emperor Shen Nung, who documented its use as a medicine for rheumatism, malaria, and absent-mindedness.

• India (1000 BCE): Cannabis was consumed as bhang, a milk-based drink used in religious ceremonies, especially in honor of Shiva, the Hindu god often associated with transformation and liberation.

• Middle East & Africa: Cannabis spread westward, reaching Persia, Egypt, and Arabia, where it was used recreationally and medically. Islamic texts referenced hashish as early as the 9th century.

• Europe (500–1500 CE): Cannabis was primarily cultivated for hemp (fiber, rope, sails, clothing), but there is some documentation of its medicinal and psychotropic uses as well.

Cannabis in the New World

• Cannabis was introduced to the Americas by colonists and enslaved people. Hemp was a valuable crop in the U.S. colonies, with even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson growing it.

🚫 Prohibition and Stigma

Early 20th Century: Criminalization

• In the early 1900s, cannabis became linked with immigrant populations, especially Mexican and Black communities in the U.S.

• The term “marijuana” was popularized to stoke xenophobia and create fear around the plant.

• The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized cannabis in the U.S.

Reefer Madness Era

• The 1930s–1950s saw heavy anti-cannabis propaganda. Films like Reefer Madness portrayed cannabis as a dangerous drug leading to crime, insanity, and moral decay.

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✊ Counterculture & Cannabis Revival (1960s–70s)

The Hippie Movement

• Cannabis use surged in the 1960s with the rise of the counterculture movement.

• It became symbolic of anti-establishment values, peace, love, and freedom.

• Major figures like Bob Marley, The Beatles, and Allen Ginsberg promoted cannabis use as spiritual and mind-expanding.

🔥 The Origin of 420

The Waldos Story (1971)

The most widely accepted origin of “420” traces back to a group of five high school friends in San Rafael, California, who called themselves “The Waldos.”

• In the fall of 1971, they heard rumors of an abandoned cannabis crop in Point Reyes and made a plan to search for it after school.

• They would meet at 4:20 PM by a statue of Louis Pasteur on campus and say, “420 Louis” as a code for their mission.

• While they never found the crop, “420” stuck as their inside joke for smoking weed.

Grateful Dead & Spread of the Term

• One of the Waldos had a connection to the Grateful Dead, whose community helped spread the use of “420.”

• High Times magazine picked it up in the 1990s, helping cement it into cannabis culture worldwide.

🌎 420 Becomes a Global Cannabis Holiday

April 20 (4/20)

• April 20 became the unofficial holiday for cannabis lovers — a day to celebrate cannabis, push for legalization, and honor its cultural impact.

• Major gatherings happen in cities like:

  • San Francisco’s Hippie Hill

  • Denver’s Civic Center Park

  • Vancouver’s Sunset Beach

  • Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square

From Protest to Festival

• 420 events began as civil disobedience protests against prohibition.

• As legalization spread, these events evolved into festivals, music events, cannabis expos, and brand showcases.

✅ Cannabis Today

Legalization Milestones

• Uruguay (2013) and Canada (2018) became the first nations to legalize recreational cannabis.

• In the U.S., over half of the states have legalized recreational or medicinal cannabis as of 2025.

• 420 is now embraced by the legal cannabis industry as a marketing opportunity — with special drops, deals, and product releases.

Social Justice & Reform

• The modern cannabis movement also focuses on racial equity, expungement of past convictions, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

• April 20th remains a day to advocate for the people still affected by the War on Drugs.

🎉 The Spirit of 420

420 is more than a time or a date — it’s a symbol of:

• Rebellion against unjust laws

• Celebration of the plant’s cultural and spiritual importance

• Joy, healing, and community

• Pushing toward global legalization and justice

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