The annual celebration of marijuana culture, known as 4/20, coincidentally aligned with both Easter Sunday and the last day of Passover this year, prompting cannabis enthusiasts to celebrate in unique ways. Events included an โEaster nug huntโ in Los Angeles, kosher-inspired THC gummies in New York, and a โblaze and praiseโ drag brunch in Portland, Oregon.
โIt seemed appropriate with egg prices today that weโd be searching for something else,โ expressed Brett Davis, the organizer of the โEaster nug huntโ and operator of Weed Bus Los Angeles.
Hereโs a look into the history of 4/20 and its celebrations this year:
### The Origins of 4/20
The majority of explanations for the significance of the date โ420โ have long been shrouded in mystery. Some believe it relates to a police code used for marijuana possession, while others suggest it was inspired by Bob Dylanโs song โRainy Day Women No. 12 & 35,โ which includes the line, โEverybody must get stoned.โ However, the most accepted origin story traces back to the 1970s in Marin County, California, where a group of high school friends known as โthe Waldosโ coined the term.
This group formed after one of them received a map to a secret cannabis patch from a friendโs brother, who was worried about it being discovered by authorities. Every day at 4:20 pm, after school and football practice, they would gather near a statue of chemist Louis Pasteur to smoke a little marijuana and embark on a quest to find the crop. Although they never found it, the time and the name โ420โ stuck, eventually gaining widespread cultural relevance.
### The Spread of 4/20
The association with โ420โ gained momentum when a relative of a Waldo befriended Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. The term became popular within the bandโs communal circle. In the early 1990s, Steve Bloom, a journalist for High Times magazine, discovered a flyer at a Grateful Dead show that invited people to assemble at 4:20 pm on 4/20 for a cannabis celebration in Marin County, which High Times subsequently published.
โItโs a phenomenon,โ remarked Steve Capper, one of the Waldos. Despite the original curiosity surrounding its origins, 4/20 has endured as a staple date for cannabis celebration. However, the creators of the flyer that solidified April 20 as the official date of celebration remain unidentified.
### Current Celebrations
Unsurprisingly, these celebrations involve cannabis. For instance, in New York City, a company debuted a kosher-style product line called โTokinโ Chews,โ which considers dietary restrictions for Passover. In Los Angeles, Davis anticipated 300 attendees for the Easter nug hunt. Participants were guided by a mobile app through dispensaries, trivia sessions, and typical cannabis activities, with a $500 cash reward at stake.
In Portland, the โblaze and praiseโ drag brunch offered a creative merger of cultural traditions. Though cannabis use was prohibited at the venue, attendees received raffle prizes that included cannabis-related merchandise. The event foreshadowed future happenings planned for Pride month, blending quirky humor with cultural observance.
Even larger festivals included the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver and one hosted by SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta. San Franciscoโs famous Hippie Hill event was canceled for the second consecutive year due to financial and budgetary setbacks, though the tradition persists.
### The Political Arena
Although 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, and 14 allow medical usage, the movement faces challenges. Recent measures to legislate have been rejected by voters in key states. Further complicating the landscape, some states have scrutinized and restricted hemp-derived products due to legal loopholes.
Despite federal-level prohibition, the political landscape shows flickers of change. A cross-party Senate effort aims to let states formulate their own marijuana policies and ease industrial financial restrictions. While the pacing of reform is uncertain, advocates continue pressing for progressive measures.
Charles Alovisetti of Vicente LLP urged the administration to prioritize reform, believing it meshes well with goals such as curtailing illicit drug trade. He rallied advocates to continually strive for funding opportunities for marijuana businesses within broader legislative innovations.
As Alovisetti put it, persistence is key: โYou continue speaking up, even if the political momentum isnโt there. Itโs only possible if you stay in everyoneโs ear.โ