From students to icons – The Origin Story of 420
In a small town in 1971, five high school students unknowingly sparked a worldwide phenomenon. Nicknamed “The Waldos”, their casual hangouts by a school wall would lead to the cultural phenomenon known as 420. Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich were just looking for a secret marijuana field when a friend mentioned it to them one day.
The Waldos, balancing various after-school activities, had to find a time and place to meet to seek out this rumored marijuana field. Settling on 4:20 PM at the Louis Pasteur statue on campus, they would gather to embark on their quest. Originally known as “4:20 Louis”, the term gradually simplified to simply “420” as they continued meeting up to search for the elusive garden.
Their ties to the iconic rock band, the Grateful Dead, further solidified the association of 420 with weed culture. In the early 1990s, a High Times Magazine writer stumbled upon a flier at a Dead show referencing 420 as a police code for marijuana in progress. This link added depth to the burgeoning mythology surrounding the term.
However, competing rumors about the origin of 420 persist to this day. From claims that it stems from the time of Jerry Garcia’s passing to discussions about the chemical composition of cannabis, the truth behind 420 remains rooted in the story of The Waldos and their innocent search for cannabis in the fields of Point Reyes.
As The Waldos approach their senior years, the term 420 still reigns supreme among the group. Despite myths and misconceptions, their website stands as a testament to their role in the establishment of 420 as a cultural touchstone. Friendship, family, solidarity, and love are the true essence of 420, as The Waldos have always known.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.