It’s April and all we can think about here at K.I.N.D. Concentrates is 420. Not just any number, 420 (you know, April 20th) is the largest cannabis holiday in the world. It’s dedicated to celebrating the almighty herb and inviting fellow “stoners” to smoke with you. From industry experts to grandmas, everyone knows what 420 means, but, what’s the real 411 on 420? (We couldn’t help it!) How did it become a thing?
Simple Beginnings
To uncover the origins of 420, we need to begin at the birthplace of American counter-culture in San Francisco. San Francisco was the home of the Grateful Dead and many other influential cultural icons of the 60’s and 70’s, paving the way for a thriving local scene. Up in the Marin County hills, just north of San Francisco, was San Raphael High School where we begin with a group of cool kids locally known as the “Waldos.”
One day, the Waldos heard of a Coast Guard officer that was planning on abandoning his plot of marijuana he was growing. The Waldo’s decided the best course of action was to go looking for the unattended cannabis. They were all student athletes, so they set a time for after practice at to meet up and search for the marijuana. That time was 4:20pm.
“420” became a sort-of code for them. They could say it around family and teachers, and no one would be the wiser to what they actually meant. Whether they were asking if one of them wanted to smoke or if they could buy some, they all used 420.
And wouldn’t you know it, they never ended up finding the abandoned weed. But that didn’t stop them from going out to find it every day and having fun along the way.
The Gateway Drug to Friendship
So, there you have it. The origins of 420 all boil down to some pothead teens trying to find free marijuana, all while never actually finding what they were looking for in the first place. We couldn’t have made up a more appropriate and fitting story that defines the holiday itself if I tried. Cannabis just brings people together!
Stay Safe and Have Fun!
This 4/20, we at K.I.N.D. Concentrates hope you go out and enjoy the company of friends in the community. Even if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you’ll probably have a great time and make new friends anyway
