This year, 4/20 marks the celebration of marijuana culture with college students gathering at 4:20 p.m. on campus quads and pot shops offering discounts in legal-weed states. Recreational marijuana is now allowed in nearly half of the states in the United States and the White House has shown openness to marijuana reform. Many states have implemented social equity measures to help communities of color benefit financially from legalization. Daily marijuana smokers are warned of higher risks of heart attacks and strokes according to a study by the American Heart Association.
The origins of 4/20 date back to the 1970s in California with a group of friends from San Rafael High School called ‘the Waldos’. They would meet at 4:20 p.m. to search for a cannabis farm they were given a map to. While they never found the farm, the term ‘420’ stuck and became widely used. The slang spread further when a flier was distributed at a Grateful Dead show in the early 1990s. Celebrations of 4/20 usually involve smoking weed, with events such as the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver and Hippie Hill in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park drawing large crowds.
The number of states allowing recreational marijuana has increased to 24, with an additional 14 states allowing it for medical purposes. However, marijuana remains illegal under federal law and is classified as a Schedule I substance. Despite this, the Biden administration has taken steps towards marijuana reform such as pardoning people convicted of simple possession. A Gallup poll showed that 70% of adults support legalization, indicating a significant shift in public opinion. Industry veteran Vivian McPeak reflects on the progress of the marijuana industry and the challenges that still remain, such as smaller growers struggling to compete with large producers and many people still incarcerated for weed convictions.
For the Waldos, 4/20 simply signifies a good time and is not a political statement. While they acknowledge the negative aspects of the past when marijuana was stigmatized and illegal, they choose to focus on the positive energy of the time. Despite the progress in the legalization movement, there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone convicted for marijuana-related offenses is released from jails and prisons. Despite the challenges that remain, McPeak emphasizes the need to celebrate the victories and continue to advocate for further reform. The evolution of the marijuana industry has been significant, with the legalization of marijuana in many states and changing attitudes towards its use.
