​420 Friendly | Cannabis Culture

By James Parker

You probably might have heard about 420 friendly and people associating it with weed many times. But have you ever wondered what actually does this number stands for? And what is its history?

In this post, we will look deeper into the 420 friendly meaning and context. We will walk you through the detailed answers to how it started, some related concerns, and FAQs.

Keep scrolling to read on to know everything 420 holds.

 

What Does 420 Mean?

Does 420 refer to some law about the cannabis plant? No. Is it a police code regarding someone smoking marijuana? No way. Does 420 refer to the death anniversary of Jimi Hendrix or Bob Marley? Not at all!

A study shows that cannabis has more than 400 chemical compounds; however, it doesn’t say that the exact number is 420.

420 is just the best day to plant marijuana seeds. You might have often heard these statements, but mind you, all these are simply made-up theories.

Having said that, 420 is an odd code with a mysterious origin. Fundamentally, it is a slang word for marijuana consumption in the pot-smoking culture. Specifically, 420 refers to the “Cannabis Celebration” or “World Weed Day.”

Also denoted as 4:20 and 4/20, the term 420 encourages the celebration and consumption of cannabis, particularly on April 20th at 4:20 pm.

Every year, thousands of people worldwide gather unofficially to observe the holiday and consume marijuana at a specific time and date. For example, you can witness the largest gathering in the UK in Hyde Park in London.

 

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San Rafael High School: The History and Real Origin

As mentioned above, there are many popular theories about 4 20. That’s why the origin and history of this term are a bit disputed. However, everything 4 20 related is symbolic to cannabis consumers despite these disputes.

The most credible story is about a small group of high school students who called themselves “the Waldos” who studied in California.

For the first time, these five students used the term “420” in 1971, referring to their meeting; they used to meet daily after school at 4:20 pm to smoke weed. Later, Waldos started using 420 as a code word for smoking weed. Since then, this term has been associated with marijuana consumption.

Later in 1990, Steve Bloom, the senior editor of High Times magazine, came across a flyer at a Dead concert regarding the story of 4 20. He wrote that originally California police officers used 4 20 as a code for smoking.

However, Bloom entirely made up the story about finding a flyer. In 1997, some Waldos contacted High Times to correct the story themselves.

Every year, several political events and protests in favor of drug legalization take place on this date. Typically, frequent cannabis consumers use the meeting time 4:20 pm as their daily excuse to smoke pot. As a result, the term 420 became popular and more significant over recent years.

 

 

4 20 Friendly Meaning: The Context and Usage

If you’ve been connecting the dots, you’d have easily figured it out. But let’s make things easier for those who’re still guessing what ‘4 20 friendly’ actually means.

First of all, this term is often associated with a location, but this doesn’t limit its usage.

If a meeting place is 4 20 friendly, it merely means that it accepts cannabis aficionados and encourages to consume cannabis.

You might have seen the term “4 20 friendly” on advertising websites while looking for tenants or housemates.

Some cafes, restaurants, or hotels might also use this term widely. However, their 4 20 friendliness may range quite differently depending on where the place is.

Independent businesses in different states where cannabis is legal might be too much in 420 friendliness. There may be some regulations directing what is allowed and what’s not, but there is too much freedom in their given autonomy that people can do anything they like.

For example, Eddie Miller, the CEO of Invest in Cannabis, aims to raise investment in the marijuana industry. Not only that, but his company also tried to sponsor the 420 gathering around the country.

Other times, the 420 friendly business site means much more than just simple tolerance. Many locations also offer activities in which people not only tolerate smoking pot but explore it as their new hobby.

 

Happy 420: The Cannabis Culture Holiday

Ever received a message saying, ‘Happy 4 20’? If you did, but don’t know when it should be on April 20th.

Well, if someone ever did it, it’s because they unofficially consider this date a counterculture holiday to be “World Weed Day.” It simply means they recognize this day as an annual day of cannabis celebration.

So, how do they celebrate? They celebrate it by throwing cannabis-themed festivals, and brands offer food with a cannabis-themed twist encouraging smoking weed.

For instance, the Cannabis Cup is one of the major events where hundreds of vendors showcase premium-quality marijuana products to the attendees. Not only that, but the participants of the events also get to attend concerts from famous musicians, such as 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, and Soja.

Thus, Happy 420 is an unofficial greeting from the people supporting cannabis consumption.

 

Does 420 Support Marijuana Legalization Activists?

Honestly, it totally depends on the community where you live. That’s why pot smokers use the term “4 20 friendly” to communicate their openness and interest to others towards consuming cannabis.

In the United States, recreational consumption of cannabis is legal for adults aged above 21 in some states, including Washington, Michigan, and California, as of November 2020.

After the marijuana legalization, the original 4 20 is no longer a protest for legalize cannabis; instead of a cannabis celebration. Furthermore, many businesses are focusing on growing, selling, and expanding the marijuana market; thus, benefiting themselves from the 4 20 national holiday.

On the other hand, there are some countries where medical marijuana is not legal anywhere across the borders.

 

 

High Times Magazine wrote about 420 in 1991. How did that happen?

According to legend, a group of stoners who called themselves “The Waldos” coined the term “420” in the early 1970s. They used it as a code phrase to indicate when they wanted to smoke together, and it eventually caught on within their social circle.

Fast forward a few decades to 1990, and a group of Deadheads (fans of the Grateful Dead) in Oakland, California started using the term “420” to refer to smoking weed before Grateful Dead concerts. They would hold up signs that said “420” to try to connect with other fans and smoke.

One of these Deadheads happened to be a friend of Steven Hager, the editor of High Times Magazine. He wrote about the term in the magazine’s December 1990 issue, and it quickly became a part of marijuana culture lore.

The following year, in 1991, High Times published an article about the origins of “420” and the story of The Waldos. This helped to cement the term in the public consciousness and made it a part of marijuana culture history.

 

What Has Bob Dylan to Do With 420 Marijuana Culture?

We all remember the famous Bob Dylan’s song, “Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35.” One folk, most probably high, thought of multiplying 12 and 35, which was none other than 420.

However, the song is the opening track of his album released in 1966, before Waldos came up with a 4 20 shortcode. Hence, it turns out; the song isn’t the primary source of the 4 20 term.

 

What does 4 20 Friendly Mean on a Dating Profile?

The term “4 20 friendly” has now become so popular that you may even see people marketing themselves with this term. Whether it is the craigslist listing or any dating site, people use the phrase “4 20 friendly” on their profile, defining them.

But why is this even a deal?

It is noteworthy that a 420 friendly person terms himself so for you to know they like weed. If you, too, are a 4:20 friendly person, then you are good to go.

On the other side, compatibility comes into play if you are a non-tolerant individual in terms of drugs.

If you are looking for a life partner or a new roommate, you must ensure that they are compatible with you. That’s why weed smokers mention this term in their description.

Contrastingly, tobacco users do not get counted for being 4 20 friendly. Some people may be disappointed to know that 4 20 friendly sites do not necessarily allow cigars or cigarette smokers.

 

420 Spiritual Meaning

The term 4 20 refers to a completely different meaning in terms of numerology. According to numerologists, the angels nearby want to attract your attention whenever you encounter this number.

In numerology, every number consists of different vibrations and energy. As 4 20 has three numbers, 0, 2, and 4, it has a combined vibration of all the three numbers.

First and foremost, the number 4 is associated with a sense of safety, security, and patience. Secondly, number 2 refers to harmony and peace. Last but not least, angel number 0 represents growth and enlightenment.

As a combined effect, we can conclude that the number 420 is a recommendation for you by the angel to pursue the purpose of your life. Moreover, it is a sign that the angels are ever ready to help you widen your horizons and make the most out of them.

 

FAQs

 

What Do Marijuana Smokers Celebrate on April 20?

April 20, or 4/20, is a day that many weed smokers celebrate as a sort of unofficial holiday. It’s a time to get together with your friends, smoke some weed, and enjoy the good vibes.

 

What is 420 friendly on TINDER?

On Tinder, “420 friendly” usually means the same thing it does in other contexts – that someone is okay with smoking weed or is a regular smoker themselves.

 

 

Wrapping Up with the Number 420

By now, you must have a clear idea of what precisely 4 20 means.

There are a lot of rumors and false theories as to how the term 4 20 originated and developed. However, 420 refers to the cannabis celebration day on April 20th across the globe.

That wraps our run down to the number 420. Legal or illegal, marijuana users always find their way to use and celebrate pot culture.

Besides, all of this often glorifies weed consumption, and now it’s easier than ever for teenagers to get indulged. The legalization of cannabis in many places may easily lead them to believe cannabis is safe to use.