The number 420 is everywhere in cannabis culture, from strain names and product labels to the unofficial holiday on April 20th. But what does 420 friendly mean, and where did this number actually come from? The true origin story is more interesting than the myths, and understanding it gives you a window into how cannabis culture evolved from underground secrecy to mainstream acceptance.
What Does 420 Friendly Mean and Where Did It Start
The phrase "420 friendly" simply means that someone is accepting of cannabis use. You see it in social media profiles, rental listings, and event descriptions. It signals that cannabis consumption is welcome or at least tolerated.
But the number itself has a specific origin. Contrary to popular myths, 420 is not a police code for cannabis, it has nothing to do with the number of chemical compounds in the plant, and it is not related to any Bob Marley song or birthday.
The real story starts in 1971 at San Rafael High School in California. A group of five students, who called themselves "the Waldos" because they hung out near a wall outside the school, used "420" as a code word. They had obtained a hand-drawn map supposedly leading to an abandoned cannabis crop near Point Reyes. The group would meet at 4:20 PM, after sports practice, to search for the plants.
They never found the crop, but "420" stuck as their shorthand for anything cannabis-related. "420" became a way to talk about weed in front of teachers and parents without anyone catching on.
How 420 Went Global
The Waldos' code word might have stayed a local inside joke if not for a connection to the Grateful Dead. Mark Gravitch, one of the Waldos, had a brother who managed a Dead sideband, and Dave Reddix, another Waldo, became a roadie for the Dead's bassist Phil Lesh. The term spread through the Grateful Dead's touring community and fan base (Deadheads), which was the perfect vector for a cannabis culture code word.
By the early 1990s, 420 had reached High Times magazine, which embraced and popularized it. The magazine helped cement April 20th (4/20) as an unofficial cannabis holiday, and the rest is history.
Today, 420 is recognized globally. April 20th sees cannabis celebrations, protests for legalization, and massive sales events across Canada and beyond. In cities like Vancouver, tens of thousands of people gather for public 420 events every year. For those looking for deals, our promotions page features special pricing around 420 and other cannabis holidays.
420 Culture in Canada
Canada has a particularly strong 420 culture, partly because of the country's relatively early path to legalization. Before the Cannabis Act passed in 2018, April 20th rallies in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa served as both celebrations and political protests pushing for legal reform.
Now that cannabis is legal, 420 has shifted from protest to party. Dispensaries across the country run their biggest sales of the year, brands launch special edition products, and social media lights up with cannabis content.
The number shows up everywhere: 420-themed strain names, cannabis companies with 420 in their branding, and "420 friendly" vacation rentals. It has become cannabis culture's most universal symbol.
The Spirit of 420
At its core, 420 represents community, shared experience, and a refusal to accept outdated stigma around cannabis. Whether you celebrate with a solo joint or join a massive public event, the spirit is the same: cannabis is something to be enjoyed openly and without shame.
At Creator's Choice, we carry that spirit year-round, not just on April 20th. Browse our selection and celebrate cannabis culture any day of the year.
