What 4/20 Means to Us: A Celebration of Cannabis Culture in 2025
Why Do We Celebrate 4/20?
Honoring Cannabis Culture, Community, and Progress in 2025
The origins of 4/20 are shrouded in a haze of mystery, with various myths and theories floating around online. Over time, three main stories have risen to the top—and while only one holds real weight, all reflect the curiosity and community spirit behind this unofficial cannabis holiday.
The Myths
As with any cultural phenomenon, the origins of 4/20 have taken on a life of their own, wrapped in urban legend and pop culture references. Over the years, a few popular theories have circulated—some fun, some far-fetched—but none as enduring as the truth.
🚓 The Police Code Theory
One of the most commonly repeated myths is that “420” was once police radio code for marijuana possession in progress. It’s a theory that sounds plausible—after all, police codes like 10-4 and 187 are well-known—but there’s no actual evidence that 420 was ever used by law enforcement in this way. Despite being debunked, the idea persists, likely because it ties into cannabis's long history of criminalization and counterculture identity. But when it comes to the real origins of 4/20, this one’s just smoke and mirrors.
🎵 Bob Dylan’s Numbers Game
Another theory points to Bob Dylan’s 1966 song “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35,” which features the famously cheeky refrain, “Everybody must get stoned.” Some fans did the math—12 multiplied by 35 equals 420—and ran with it as a hidden code. While the math checks out, there’s no evidence Dylan ever intended the song or its numbers to reference cannabis. It's a classic case of retroactive symbolism: a fun coincidence that people enjoy connecting to 4/20, even if the logic’s a bit hazy.
The True Story: The Waldos
The most widely accepted—and documented—origin of 4/20 starts not with law enforcement or rock legends, but with a group of high school students in San Rafael, California in the early 1970s. Known as “The Waldos” (a nickname based on their chosen hangout spot near a wall outside the school), these five friends had a shared passion for adventure, inside jokes, and cannabis.
In 1971, the Waldos caught wind of a rumored abandoned cannabis crop hidden in the woods near Point Reyes. They agreed to meet every day after school at 4:20 PM to search for it. Though the crop was never found, the time became a daily ritual—and eventually a shorthand among the group for anything cannabis-related. Instead of saying “wanna smoke?” they’d simply say “420?”
What started as a private code among friends began to spread, thanks in part to one Waldo’s family connection to Phil Lesh, bassist of the Grateful Dead. Through roadies, sound engineers, and crew members, “420” made its way into the band’s inner circle—and soon, into Deadhead culture at large. Posters and flyers referencing 420 began appearing at concerts, especially as meet-up times for group smoke sessions.
From there, the term took on a life of its own—making its way into mainstream media, cannabis subculture, and eventually the Oxford English Dictionary. Today, 4/20 is recognized worldwide as a celebration of cannabis, community, and the long road toward normalization.
From Inside Joke to Cultural Phenomenon
What started as a time of day has turned into a day of celebration, activism, and education. 4/20 now marks a time when cannabis consumers, advocates, and businesses come together to reflect on how far the movement has come—and to envision what comes next.
How Green Theory is Celebrating 4/20 in 2025
This year, we’re making 4/20 a month-long celebration with rotating deals and new product drops leading up to the big day. And of course, we’re inviting our community to celebrate in person at our:
🎂 1st Birthday Party – Saturday, April 12th, 1–5pm
Come by for music, refreshments, giveaways, and exclusive deals.
We’ll also be hosting a special pop-up with Sweeder Life, featuring DIY jewelry and accessories—including roach clips, dab tools, and more.
🧁 The Return of Pink Fox – Just in time for our birthday, we’re welcoming back fan favorites like their famous brownies and cookies.
🍒 Limited Drops – We’re proud to offer exclusive early access to EasyDay Edibles (with a Cherry Blossom flavor you don’t want to miss), and flower from Corner Store Cultivation, grown with true California genetics.
Why 4/20 Still Matters
At Green Theory, we see 4/20 as more than a date on the calendar—it’s a symbol of progress, acceptance, and the shared belief that cannabis can heal, connect, and uplift. It’s a time to recognize how far we’ve come, especially here in D.C., and to honor the patients and pioneers who made it all possible.
Whether you're a seasoned patient or new to cannabis, we welcome you to celebrate with us—this 4/20 and every day.