What does 420 mean? There are varying theories on the origin of 420. Some say that 420 originated from a police code that announces marijuana use is taking place. Yet another story is that a group of guys (Waldo's) in the 1970's made 4:20 their official meeting time to smoke marijuana after school. Whether or not 4:20 p.m. is the best time of day for your first hit depends on your own body, your own needs. Some folks feel that waiting until 4:20 enhances ones appreciation of the herb. Of course, your mileage may vary.
In the 21st Century, 420 is firmly established as a code amongst tokers, a time of day and even sort of a toker's New Year's Day. It's in our culture now and only time will tell where it ends up.
April 20th (4/20) is another usage, meaning that it is time for to plant before the summer.
Whatever the real story is, 420 has been an important part of the marijuana culture since the 1970's. The significance of 420 has been kept underground and is mostly known only among marijuana smokers. Many non-smokers aren't aware of the symbolism when they see someone wearing a T-shirt or baseball cap that says 420 across the front.
When the 420 icon is somehow discreetly worked into a mainstream product like a film, marijuana users take notice. The film Pulp Fiction is rumored to have had all clocks throughout the movie set to 4:20. Marijuana smokers familiar with the symbol picked up on it—most people, however, did not.
While some marijuana smokers are using 420 as a code that enables them to openly speak about marijuana in front of parents or teachers. 420 has been to some, a sacred symbol for nearly 30 years.
Simply put, 420 is a symbol of cannabis and its culture. Today, April 20th events are international, and 4:20 pm has become sort of a world wide "burn time".
Known 420 Myths
Police dispatch code for smoking pot is 420.
The number 420 is not police radio code for anything, anywhere. Checks of criminal codes suggest that the origin is neither Californian nor federal. For instance, California Penal Code 420 defines as a misdemeanor the hindrance of use of public lands.
There are approximately 420 active chemicals in marijuana.
Actually, there are approximately 315 active chemicals in marijuana. This number goes up and down depending on which plant is used.
April 20th is National Pot Smokers Day.
Well, it is now :) ; but that wasn't the origin.
April 20th is Hitler's birthday.
Yes, it is his birthday. But, as 420 started out as a time, not a date, his birthday had nothing to do with it.
The date of the Columbine school shootings.
This happened after the term was already in use.
4:20 is tea time for pot-smokers in Holland.
Tea time in Holland is at 5:30 pm, or is it 2:30 pm? Seems no one is quite sure when the wonderful people of Holland drink their tea.
20 comments:
I used to play this joke on the laborers at my construction job sites; some of you might want to use on your children.
Since most people don’t know about 4/20 or even expect that I know what it means. I used to tell all the laborers at my site on the morning of April 21st, after work the company is doing mandatory drug testing. They would think "what are the odds they pick this day". I'd sit back in my chair and watch them freak out all day, making multiple trips to the water cooler trying to flush out their systems, worrying about their jobs.
Then at the end of the day they would come in the trailer will a bead of sweat rolling down their faces and I’d simply tell that I was screwing with them. They would be pissed and relieved at the same time. At least now I know whose jobs are really on the line and who I can get the most production out of.
Drugs are bad.
This drug is made too lightly of. It just leads to more dangerous ones. People can stick their 420 where the sun don't shine.
Only someone smoking large amounts of weed daily would really care about this. Pass the bong and eat another frosty. This stuff is great. Really I am just going to lay here on the couch another two hours and think about it. Then I will smoke somemore and I will sit here looking out the mindow at my kids playing. No really it keeps me focused on the important things.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Why do so many people think that smoking pot is harmless? It is a powerful drug, and it remains forever in myelin sheath (fatty covering) of nerve fibers. Not to mention that it damages you lungs like cigarettes. So many hip trendy intellectuals think it is perfectly safe--but it truly takes away any ambition.
Pots is what people smoke when they are done with everything else. Lets see maybe the people are better off using alcohol, oxys,coke or herion. Pot makes people mellow and compassionate. Im going to burn a fatty right now, cronic,no seeds all flavor.
Pot does not make you compassionate anon 10:46am...think of your poor mother???
My mother is 65 years old and she couldnt be prouder of where I am, because of how far Ive come. She knows alcohol does way more damage than pot. But I quess you think taking a little trip down to see your doctor and munching on some zanex is a better option.
"Alcohol does for more damage than pot" And where is the scientific data to support that?
1201 good thing it is not illegal to be stupid, otherwise you'd be in for life without parole.
You dont want to get inside of my head, you might not make it out partner. I could spend one hour with you and break you down to the root of what you are so you had to see it, then I could leave you in the corner in tears with no-one but yourself. From there I could take you some place wonderful inside yourself. Stupid huh. Its possible that you have never personally talked with a human that can show you yourself the way I can. I dont think your ready.
1. How many marijuana related accidents have you heard of, how many drunk driving?????
2. It grows out of the ground.
3. You can die from only 2 substance withdrawls, alcohol and heroin.
4. Ever seen anyone smoke weed and go crazy trying to screw someone or fight someone? Yeah of course you have. Ever seen anyone smoke weed and do that, NOPE.
5. You are right its not good for you, but just bc the govt says its legal (alcohol), or your doctor gives you a prescription for it (xanax, oxy, perc, morphine, adderall) doesnt mean its magically ok.
6. I know more people who have a serious problem with alcohol or sniffing prescription pills up their nose than any one person who smokes weed everyday. Yeah they might sit there like a bump on a log but they aren't bothering anyone.
""Alcohol does for more damage than pot" And where is the scientific data to support that?"
Richard Nixon threw it into his bottom desk drawer when the results came in from the investigational commission he formed. They found the same thing that the NYC commission did thirty years earlier.
Death Cause Stats (2003):
Tobacco 435,000
Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000
Alcohol 85,000
Microbial Agents 75,000
Toxic Agents 55,000
Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347 (18,000 alcohol-related)
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000
Suicide 30,622
Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000
Homicide 20,308 (including alcohol-related)
Sexual Behaviors 20,000
All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect (other than marijuana) 17,000
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600
Marijuana 0 (zero)
""Alcohol does for more damage than pot" And where is the scientific data to support that?"
Richard Nixon threw it into his bottom desk drawer when the results came in from the investigational commission he formed. They found the same thing that the NYC commission did thirty years earlier.
Death Cause Stats (2003):
Tobacco 435,000
Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000
Alcohol 85,000
Microbial Agents 75,000
Toxic Agents 55,000
Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347 (18,000 alcohol-related)
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000
Suicide 30,622
Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000
Homicide 20,308 (including alcohol-related)
Sexual Behaviors 20,000
All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect (other than marijuana) 17,000
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600
Marijuana 0 (zero)
I don't abuse drugs, I've take prescription medicines only when I needed to and I don't drink. Your poor mother may be proud of you despite the pot but she'd be much much prouder if you stopped fooling yourself. No one is saying that pot is worse than the other drugs but it doesn't make you smarter or more compassionate. I said think of your poor mother (as a sarcastic joke) but I really believe if my children were smoking pot I'd have to do more as a parent to show them the right way to live. My kids have no interest in this or other drugs even though they've admitted to having friends who do smoke pot (my oldest is 17). I truly believe this is not a coincidence. I truly feared my mother and therefore never ever tried to smoke a cigarette much less pot, but my kids don't fear me, and still don't have an interest. It's called parenting and you may be too old for her to tell you what you can and can't do but you will never be to old to do the right thing.
We don't own our bodies. The government has told us not to use marijuana. That's good enough for me. If they tell you not to eat, smoke or drink a particular thing, then it is for your own good. Just don't do it. Listen to your government. They know what is best for you. They care.
332 are you joking? We don't own our bodies? Sounds like someone has been drinking too much koolaid. The government endorsed Thalidamide for pregnant women, and that turned out well didn't it?
Since someone brought up the dangers of Thalidamide.....is it just me or is there alot of commericals for prescription drugs where the side effects sound worse than the ailment you need the pills for?Theres one that actually says "sudden death may occur in patients taking this drug" Yikes!
As far as the subject at hand-"420" is another pop-culture slang euphemism that has been worn out.
Damn I'm hungry, the only thing you will want to attack on some chronic is the refridgerator. Alcohol makes people want to fight.
Ive only read 2 comments on here that are openminded.Pot has its downfalls!Yes! Not life taking ones-cocaine,alcohol,morphine or medical grade herion,crystal meth,perscription and most of all tobacco! Get a Life People!
To 12:57... I agree with most of your statment but number 3 is wrong I'm Affraid. The 2 things you can die from detoxing from are alcohol and benzoes (valum, zanax and the likes) both will and can cause deadly seizures. Thanks for your info though.
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