Why Is It Called 420?

420 is a cannabis culture slang for marijuana and hashish consumption, especially smoking around the time 4:20 pm and also refers to cannabis-oriented celebrations that take place annually on April 20 (which is 4/20 U.S form).

At the locations in the United States where cannabis is legal, cannabis dispensaries will often offer discounts on their products on April 20.

Why Is It Called 420?

The group, which called itself The Waldos adopted 420 as slang for smoking cannabis. This spread, 4:20 pm became known as the perfect time for smoking weed, and the number 420 became synonymous with marijuana.

Reportedly another of the group members, Dave Reddix, became friends with the bassist of The Grateful Dead. The band is said to have helped popularise 20 April as “weed day”.

Using the American calendar method of putting the month before the day, 4/20 is 20 April. And so, 20 April turned into a day of celebration for all things marijuana.