As a person whose birthday is April 20th, I have naturally inclined toward happenings on and around the date–things both good and bad. 4/20 is undeniably one of the most (and arguably the most) eventful and axial days of the year, in both good and bad ways.
4/20 is recognized across the US by a vast majority of the nearly 350 million people she holds as a vaunted day in cannabis culture. Moreover, it’s well-established fact that cannabis’ appeal is broadening widely. Now is the time for the cannacommunity to unite and face down the misinformation, stereotypes, tropes, and prejudices our fathers and grandfathers experienced before us, something which they couldnt have done, not due to their incompetence, but because of the profound differences in the social contract between then and now.
Over 25 years of experience in the cannabis industry, one begins to realize and appreciate the affectation of culture. Cannabis has an incredibly robust communal nature, and as such, it holds a very large (and soon, oversized) portion of the influences we experience. In the US, we enjoy a diverse character and nature, and we like to express this by molding our culture to better reflect our values and history.
BudtenderJack
Given these potentialities, a question arises: should 420 be classified as an American National Holiday?
In order to properly answer that question, we have to examine a few things. First, we have to establish parameters explaining what is required for something to officially become a National Holiday. There are three basic requirements, I’ll briefly cover them here:
National Holiday Requirements
| Category | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Widespread Cultural Significance | Cannabis culture has significantly permeated mainstream awareness evidenced by the legalization movements across various states and countries. April 20th (420) symbolizes this shift, transitioning from an underground code to a global event marked by festivals and public advocacy, highlighting its cultural depth and broad acceptance. |
| Economic Impact | The cannabis industry has spurred economic growth through direct sales and ancillary businesses, including cultivation, apparel, and tourism. This economic boost contributes substantial tax revenues and job creation, impacting local and national economies. Such economic contributions are key considerations for establishing a national holiday. |
| Political Support | There has been a discernible shift in political perspectives towards cannabis, with increasing support from lawmakers for its legalization and recognition of its medical benefits. This political backing is essential for securing legislative approval for a national holiday, indicating a significant transformation in policy and public sentiment towards cannabis. |
Cannabis is more than a substance, it’s catharsis, therapy, sanity, unity among partakers, and the trading of ideals, principles, and endeavors. As such, 420–the day we celebrate our connection to this wonderful gift of God to humankind–easily meets all three criteria listed above for National ‘Holidayhood’, if you will.
What’s more, despite the attempts by the government to smother us, we’ve caused this lowly plant to become ubiquitously weaved into our civilization, elevating it and being elevated by it. It’s within that rich, genuine expansive, and inclusive communal history that we are all bound to one another in admiration and respect for cannabis and it’s culture.
It’s in that cannabis culture we find brilliant contributions and endeavoring, like those of a group of students from California.
The Origins of 420: The ‘Waldos’
According to Historian & Polemologist Jack Kilgore, the term “420” is the product of, and most closely linked to, a group known as the “Waldos,” a nickname for a group of high school students at San Rafael High School in California in 1971.
**To verify Mr. Kilgore’s claim and determine it’s veracity, consult the following academic and authoritative sources**
- “The Cannabis Encyclopedia” by Jorge Cervantes – This comprehensive guide on cannabis includes historical and cultural references that might discuss the term’s origins. Cervantes is almost unanimously considered one of the greatest living minds in cannabis. If Cervantes agrees, it’s saying a lot.
- High Times Magazine Archives – High Times has published multiple articles on the history of 420 and its cultural significance, often citing firsthand accounts. The publication released a spread
- “Grass Roots: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Marijuana in America” by Emily Dufton – This book provides a detailed history of marijuana activism in America, including popular terms associated with the movement.
- San Rafael High School Archives – Contacting the school or visiting their library can provide access to local newspapers or publications from the early 1970s that mention the Waldos.
- Interviews or articles featuring members of the Waldos – Searching for interviews with the original Waldos can offer direct insights into how and why they created the term 420.
What’s the Story?
The story goes that the Waldos learned of an abandoned cannabis crop and planned a search for it, deciding to meet at a statue of Louis Pasteur (creator of Pasteurization) on the school grounds at 4:20 p.m. to start their hunt. Although they never found the crop, the term “420” became their code for smoking marijuana.
We know this origin story from accounts given by the Waldos themselves, who have provided corroborative evidence to support their claim, including old letters and flags with “420” written on them, dating back to the early 1970s. The story was further popularized by the Grateful Dead and their circle of followers; the Waldos had connections with the band, and as the Grateful Dead toured globally, the term spread among their fans.
High Times magazine, a major cannabis culture publication, also played a significant role in publicizing the term after a reporter from the magazine encountered it in the early 1990s. As the term gained popularity, April 20th became a day for protests and celebrations focused on cannabis and its legalization, effectively turning “420” into a counterculture holiday.
Thus, the evidence for the Waldos’ invention of 420 is quite strong, backed by both physical artifacts and numerous accounts that align with the story they have consistently told. This meets the standards
There has always been wild and outlandish claims around 420s invention. Because the State government has finally eased its failed war on drugs, we can begin to formulate more accurate timelines and progress in scientific research.
Sommelier Jack
Leveraging Social Ties to Transform Society
Recognizing April 20th (420) as a national holiday would significantly alter the social and political landscape. First, it would mark a substantial shift in societal attitudes towards marijuana, symbolizing its mainstream acceptance and potentially easing tensions in the ongoing debates about its legality. Such a holiday could also serve as a focal point for public education about drug use, highlighting a shift from criminalization to harm reduction and public health.
Secondly, there will be a drsstic shift in policymaking on The Hill and in Congress. However, we will also see cannabis used as a political tool to further the goals of corrupt politicians. A national holiday would give us the chance to disassociate with and Purge out the elements of corruption and to avoid any comandeering of our industry.
Changing the Social Contract
The social contract? That is, the unspoken, inherent, and universal societal recognition of permissibility, value, and taboo.
Jack Kilgore, Historian, SNHU
420’s Social Contract Impact
Socially, 420 as a national holiday would likely strengthen communal bonds among cannabis enthusiasts, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. It might also inspire new cultural traditions and celebrations that include a wide demographic, transcending age, biology, and social class.
This is a prime example of why the government is wrong in its adherence to outdated, misinformed, or outright false political positions. Because canna-culture is heavily rooted in the culture of creative types and those willing to experience hardship or challenge for the sake of the greater good, the industry has a natural proclivity to creation, innovation.
If you smoke, eat, or apply cannabis, there’s a good chance you’re a mini MacGuyver
Politically, the holiday could catalyze further legislative reforms related to cannabis, possibly influencing policies on cultivation, sale, and consumption. This could lead to more robust economic activity in the cannabis sector, impacting local economies and national markets. Thus, the establishment of such a holiday would be a significant step in redefining the social contract, reflecting more progressive attitudes towards cannabis use within the fabric of society.
The establishment of April 20th as a national holiday would instigate notable cultural and religious shifts.
Culturally, the day could transform from an underground celebration of cannabis enthusiasts into a mainstream event with widespread commercialization, akin to St. Patrick’s Day or Valentine’s Day. This commercial aspect could dilute the original countercultural significance, promoting a more sanitized, consumer-friendly version of 420. This is not entirely positive, as one would believe. To sanitize and commercialize cannabis would be a huge mistake because we’ve built this industry on our communalism, our culture, and our passion. Sterilizing that patchwork would rob cannabis of its identity.
From a religious perspective, the holiday could provoke contention among conservative faith groups who might view it as glorifying substance use contrary to their teachings.
National holidays can significantly influence specific industries, increasing sales and state tax revenues, which can make a strong economic case for establishing a holiday like 420.
Economics & Class Warfare
The Economic Impact of A Holiday
However, it could also encourage dialogue within and between religious communities about modern interpretations of ancient doctrines regarding natural substances and personal liberty. Overall, marking 420 as a national holiday would not only reflect changing societal values but would actively contribute to their evolution, promoting a recalibration of cultural norms and religious ideologies. Going a step further, it can be vigorously argued that because America was founded in part through the Enlightenment
Cannabis & Enlightenment Philosophy
The connection between cannabis consumption and Enlightenment philosophy underscores a deep alignment with the principles of individual liberty, economic liberalism, and societal well-being—principles that argue convincingly for the recognition of 420 as a national holiday.
Individual Liberty and Natural Rights:
John Locke’s advocacy for life, liberty, and property as natural rights directly supports the case for cannabis legalization and the celebration of 420. Locke posited that personal choices, protected under government’s oversight, should not be infringed upon if they do not harm others. Celebrating 420 as a national holiday would symbolize society’s commitment to these rights, honoring personal freedom and choice in the realm of cannabis consumption.
Economic Liberalism and Prosperity:
Adam Smith’s ideas on the benefits of free market economies can be applied to the regulated cannabis market. Legalization fosters economic growth through job creation, increased tax revenues, and stimulated economic activity. Recognizing 420 nationally would not only celebrate these economic benefits but also bolster the cannabis industry’s role in national prosperity.
Social Contract and Public Policy:
Thomas Hobbes’s concept of the social contract suggests that laws and policies should evolve to reflect the populace’s values and needs. The widespread movement toward cannabis legalization reflects a societal shift towards greater acceptance and recognition of its benefits. Designating 420 as a national holiday would reaffirm this shift, symbolizing a modernized social contract that values personal freedom while ensuring public safety.
Foundational American Values:
The American Founding Fathers enshrined the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human endeavor. Cannabis, for many, represents a pursuit of well-being and happiness. Institutionalizing 420 as a national holiday would align with these core American values, celebrating individual liberty and happiness as central to the American experience.
In summary, the integration of Enlightenment philosophies with modern cannabis advocacy provides a robust framework supporting 420 as a national holiday. Such recognition would not only validate personal freedoms and economic benefits but also reinforce a socially contracted agreement to adapt and evolve in line with contemporary American values. This move would symbolically and practically affirm cannabis’s place within the tapestry of American cultural and civic life.
Chronicler Cannabis Historians 
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