If you’ve ever sparked up at 4:20 or seen this number floating around cannabis culture, you’re tapping into a tradition that dates back over 50 years. This holiday has become a global movement that recognizes cannabis culture, community, and progress.
Let’s dive into the evolution of 420, its hazy history, and how Colorado celebrates this unofficial cannabis holiday.
The Story Behind 420
While many hazy myths have floated around regarding the origin of this number, like ‘420’ being a police code or hidden in a song lyric, the real history of 420 begins in the early ’70s with a group of high school friends from San Rafael, California. Known as the Waldos, this group of friends would meet after school at 4:20pm to search for an abandoned cannabis plant left by a soldier returning to the army.
In the hallways during school, they would whisper “4:20” as a reminder to one another to meet up later for their search. Although they never found the plant, their insider terminology made an even bigger impact: sparking a whole movement.
Fast-forward a couple of decades, and a member of the Waldos friend group found themselves working as roadies for the legendary hippie rock band the Grateful Dead. From there, Deadheads spread the term far and wide and 420 evolved from an inside joke to a cultural phenomenon. By 1990, flyers were spread around the Bay Area for folks to “smoke 420 on 4/20 at 4:20.” This cemented the date as the unofficial cannabis holiday we know and love today.
Celebrating 420 in Colorado
While the history of this cannabis holiday was initially kicked off in California, it didn’t take long for this term to emerge into the rest of the country’s cannabis culture.
Back in 2012, both Colorado and Washington state were the first to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Colorado Amendment 64 enacted the regulation of marijuana and granted for legal possession and private consumption for adults over the age of 21.
Even though elements of cannabis culture were incorporated long before state legalization, this movement quickly deemed Colorado, and more notably Denver, the Mile High City.
Mile High 420 Festival
The Mile High 420 Festival, held annually on 4/20 in Denver, Colorado, is a cornerstone of the Colorado cannabis community. The festival originated as an annual “smoke-in” outside the state capitol.
The History of the Festival
- Organized by local activist Ken Gorman, a Vietnam War veteran and former gubernatorial candidate, Gorman was a passionate advocate for marijuana legalization.
- He gathered the community for political rallies, which started in the early ‘90s and grew in attendance each year.
- By 2010, the 4/20 rally attracted thousands of participants.
Following Colorado’s legalization of cannabis in 2012, the energy of the gatherings shifted from political rallies to celebratory events in the community. Today, the festival has evolved into what Coloradans call the Mile High 420 Festival, one of the largest marijuana festivals in the world.
Today, as the culture of cannabis continues thriving in Colorado, you’ll find over 420 different things to do in celebration of this unofficial holiday!
What to Do This 4/20 in Colorado
This 420 season, there are plenty of ways to spark up some festive fun! All around regions of Colorado, you’ll find cannabis-friendly events like:
- Concerts & Live Music: Artists like Sublime, Wiz Khalifa, and Phish typically hold concerts and music festivals at Red Rocks Amphitheater or other event venues in Colorado.
- Great Food: Restaurants and local breweries will host daytime celebrations so stoners can indulge in their munchies.
- Cannabis Events & Activities: Mainstream or cannabis retailers host immersive cannabis events including Puff ‘n Paints crafts, wellness workshops, art installations, and local food/edible tastings.
- Dispensary Tours & Deals: Local Colorado dispensaries offer cannabis dispensary tours and exciting deals and promotions on products throughout the day!
If you’re a cannabis enthusiast or a newcomer to 420 celebrations, check out Root Rx’s ideas for how to celebrate 4/20 this year:
- Host an infused dinner or picnic with friends. Shop for edible ingredients on our dispensary menu.
- Explore the outdoors with an elevated adventure! Go hiking, fishing, mountain biking, or rock climbing. Grab a pre-roll or soothing topical as a post-hike reward!
- Get creative with a new painting or craft project. Sip on an infused cannabis beverage or puff on a creative sativa strain to get the inspiration flowing.
- Host a ceremony about the cannabis plant and honor it by germinating seeds for your own personal home cultivation.
- Watch your favorite classic stoner movie. We recommend a 420-friendly comedy like Half Baked, Pineapple Express, or Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke. Roll up a relaxing hybrid strain to get the movie night vibes right.
Roots Rx: Representing Cannabis Advocacy Every Day
Ready to celebrate the biggest day in cannabis culture? As you prepare to honor this holiday, stop by your nearest Roots Rx dispensary location to stock up on your stash!
Here are our exclusive 420 Deals:
- Batch 2g Carts – BOGO $1 (WOW!)
- Wana – 30% Off for 1, 35% off for two or more
- DialedIn Gummies + Liquid Gummies – 2 for $40
- Keef – 30% Off (booked – TBD if we will keep)
- 710 Labs – 20% off Vapes and Jarred flower
Check out our Blog for the latest consumption tips and cannabis-friendly activities in CO. Follow us on IG and tag or share your 420 celebrations with us! Join RootscRx this upcoming 4/20 to get your holiday started right!
The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
