It’s almost that time once again. 4/20 has got to be the smokiest day of the year (unless it’s this year) and we’ve always wanted to say thanks to the canna-crew that kicked off the OG 420 celebrations. These pot pilgrims convened the very first 420 sesh, and by doing so, they sparked a canna-culture revolution that is now a globally recognized phenomenon.

If you’ve ever found yourself in the contemplative state that can accompany a great smoke session, you’ve probably wondered:  “Why does 420 mean weed?”

Short answer? A group of high school kids in California, known as The Waldos, started it all back in the ‘70s. Long before 420 was a cannabis holiday, it was just an inside joke among five friends trying to find some free herb.

Let’s toke a trip back over 50 years ago and blaze through the origin story of 420; from its lowkey beginnings to its global takeover.

San Rafael, 1971: Where It All Began

Dig this: it’s fall of 1971, and we’re in San Rafael, California. Five friends at San Rafael High School—Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich—had a tradition. They’d meet at this wall outside school to chill, spark up, and shoot the breeze. Natch’, they became known to the squares, straights and stoners as…“The Waldos.”

The Waldos were keen to toke up and explore the surrounding areas of Marin county, on frequent excursions known as “Waldo Safaris”. always looking for something to do or a cool new smoke spot to discover. One day, they caught wind of a rumored cannabis grow near Point Reyes, supposedly abandoned by a Coast Guard member who couldn’t keep it up. Jackpot, right?

The fellas agreed to meet up after football practice at 4:20 PM to look for the stash. They’d pass each other in the halls and whisper “4:20 Louis,” which was code for “Let’s go smoke and search for that secret pot patch.”

Despite their best efforts, they never found the purported secret pot plantation—but the 420 code stuck.

From Inside Joke to Iconic Stoner Code

The Waldos used “420” as their go-to slang for blazing. It was their private code, their secret handshake—a way to say “let’s burn one” without tipping off parents or teachers. But what really turned 420 from a small-town code to a worldwide movement? That happened after a chance connection to one of the world’s biggest touring bands at the time: The Grateful Dead.

Dave Reddix’s older brother managed real estate for the Dead’s bassist Phil Lesh and was tight with the crew. Through those connections, the Waldos’ 420 lingo started making its way into the Deadhead scene, where it got passed around faster than a joint at a drum circle.

By the 1980s, Deadheads were using 420 as code to toke. And once High Times magazine caught wind, they ran with it—publishing 420-themed content and helping launch April 20th (4/20) as a full-on cannabis celebration.

The Waldos Today: Legends of the Leaf

Unlike a lot of urban myths in weed culture (looking at you, “420 is a police code”), the Waldos are 100% real. And they’ve got the receipts to prove it—old letters, flags, and postmarked docs with references to 420 from way back when.

These days, the Waldos are basically folk heroes of cannabis culture. They’re not trying to cash in or become influencers—they just wanna preserve the story and keep it true. In interviews, they’ve said they’re stoked that people around the world use the term—but they’re also super chill about it. Very Waldos.

“We weren’t thinking, ‘Hey, let’s start a movement.’ We were just goofin’ around and looking for weed.” – Steve Capper, original Waldo

Why 420 Lives On

Let’s be real: cannabis culture is built on shared rituals, inside jokes, and a love for the leaf. 420 isn’t just a number. It’s a moment, a vibe, and a piece of history.

Whether you’re sparking a fat J  at 4:20 PM, hitting up a 4/19 festival, or just vibing with your crew—know that you’re part of a decades-long tradition that started with five kids, a wall, and a dream of free bud.

So next time someone asks, “What does 420 mean?”, now you can hit them with the pre-rolled truth.

Puff, Puff, Pass on the Story

The Waldos didn’t mean to make history—they just loved cannabis and had a good sense of humor. But their code stuck, and now millions celebrate 420 every year thanks to their teenage stoner antics. So find your spot and light one up in their honor. Help keep the culture alive, and always remember where it came from.