Happy 420 is a greeting used by observers of the 420 holiday, also known as National Weed Day. Observers around the globe take part in a day that celebrates the use of marijuana and acts as a catalyst for discussion on its legalization. 420 is not an official holiday and is mainly observed on college campuses.
Origins and Myths of the Name
A 1990s flyer, that was passed out for a gathering to smoke weed, had incorrect information about the origins of 420...but it perpetuated the myth that 420 was a code name that police officers used for the act of someone smoking Marijuana. In actuality, according to the Huffington Post, five friends from San Rafael High School, called the Waldos, came up with the name in 1971. The 420 signified the after school time that they planned to meet each other to go to a place near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station, to search for an untended marijuana patch. Day after day, they would smoke and search, but never finding the treasure which they were seeking.Alternet.org: Happy 420... (April 20, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Students gather at 4
00 p.m. across college campuses and light up and smoke marijuana at 4:20 p.m.
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Pronounced as four-twenty
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420 is a term used to identify the subculture of marijuana
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California legislature bill for the medical marijuana law was SB420
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Some Craigslist offerings mention that they are looking for someone who is "420 friendly," when searching for a roommateAlternet.org: Happy 420... (April 20, 2009)
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High Times owns the domain name for the internet site 420.comAlternet.org: Happy 420... (April 20, 2009)
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The name was spread by rock bands who traveled to play their gigsAlternet.org: Happy 420... (April 20, 2009)
