There are a lot of stories floating around about where 420 comes from. Some of them sound pretty convincing, which is probably why they’ve stuck around for so long. But when you actually look into it, many of these explanations turn out to be myths rather than facts.

Myth: The Police Code Theory

One of the most common beliefs is that “420” comes from police codes in the United States. People often say it’s the number officers use to report cannabis-related incidents. It sounds believable, but it’s not true.

If you check the California Penal Code, section 420 has nothing to do with marijuana. It actually refers to obstructing access to public land. The idea that police departments in cities like Los Angeles or New York use “420” as a code for cannabis is also incorrect. Neither the LAPD nor the NYPD uses such a code. There is a similar number used by the San Francisco Police, but that refers to a “juvenile disturbance,” not cannabis.

The Real Origin: The Waldos

So where did 420 actually come from?

The most widely accepted story takes us back to the early 1970s in California. A group of high school students from San Rafael, known as the “Waldos,” used “420” as their private code for cannabis. They would meet after school at exactly 4:20 p.m. to hang out and get high.

For them, the timing was perfect. School had just ended, but their parents weren’t home yet, giving them a bit of freedom. To keep things low-key, they started using “420” as a code word when talking to each other.

The Treasure Hunt Story

At one point, the group even went on a kind of treasure hunt. One of them had received a map that supposedly led to an abandoned cannabis patch near Point Reyes. They agreed to meet at 4:20 p.m. by a statue of Louis Pasteur before heading out to search for it.

They never actually found the plants, but the code stuck.

Originally, they used the phrase “420 Louie,” referring to their meeting spot. Over time, that got shortened to just “420,” and it became their go-to slang for cannabis.

How 420 Spread Worldwide

What started as a private joke between a few friends quickly spread beyond their circle — possibly through fans of the Grateful Dead — and eventually across cities, countries, and even continents.

Today, 420 is recognized worldwide. It’s not just a time or a date anymore, but a symbol of cannabis culture, community, and celebration.

From Secret Code to Global Culture

Even though the myths are still out there, the real story is actually much simpler — and more interesting. It all started with a group of teenagers, a shared code, and a routine that somehow turned into a global tradition.

420 has grown far beyond its origins and continues to evolve, reflecting how cannabis culture itself has changed over time.