The History of 420 – A Smokers Holiday

Unless you're extremely sheltered you're familiar with the term 420. You may have also heard about the "smokers holiday" and all the associated events that take place on April 20th. There are a bunch of different urban legends out there but if you want the real story history.com is sticking to the sticky icky icky on this one (Snoop Dogg reference). In other words... this is their story and they're sticking to it.

"In the fall of 1971, the Waldos learned of a Coast Guard member who had planted a cannabis plant and could no longer tend to the crop. Provided with a treasure map (some say by the plant’s owner himself) supposedly leading to the abandoned product, the group would meet at the Louis Pasteur statue outside their high school at least once a week conduct a search. Their meeting time? 4:20 p.m, after practice (they were all athletes). The Waldos would pile into a car, smoke some pot and scour the nearby Point Reyes Forest for the elusive, free herb. One of the original members of the Waldos, Steve Capper, told the Huffington Post, “We would remind each other in the hallways we were supposed to meet up at 4:20. It originally started out 4:20-Louis, and we eventually dropped the Louis.”

Great story but how did the phrase become mass appeal? It's unrealistic to believe that there were that many pot heads at that high school. Even if everyone at the high school was using the term without social media the term would of never become what it is today. According to the history site, This is how it happened.

"Members of the Waldos had open access, and many connections, to the band. Mark Gravitch’s father managed the Dead’s real estate. Dave Reddix’s older brother was good friends with Dead bassist Phil Lesh and managed a Dead sideband. Capper told the Huffington Post, “There was a place called Winterland, and we’d always be backstage running around or on stage and, of course, we’re using those phrases. When somebody passes a joint or something, ‘Hey, 420.’ So it started spreading through that community.”

Now that you know the history here are some local events taking place in Boise. You're welcomed. Enjoy.

4/20 Rally for Medical Marijuana at the State Capital. Starts at 11am

4/20 Block Party - Boise, The Honey Pot CBD —  4:20 – 8:00 PM...

The Honey Pot CBD, 1228 Broadway Ave Boise, ID