420 (typically pronounced four twenty) is a number that has been tied to, and symbolic of, marijuana or cannabis culture for well over 3 decades. The number has become entwined in popular media and it a lot of people hold it with particular regard. Despite this however the origin of the term is shrouded in mystery. This article is going to look at 3 of the more prevalent myths, and explain why they are false. Finally it shall outline what is now the accepted genesis story for the term.
Myth 1 - 420 is the police dispatch code relating to cannabis use.
This fact has been disproven. Studies have been unable to find a police dispatch code of 420 that is in any way related to drug use. In California (where the term is believed to have originated) penal code 420 relates to obstructing entry of public land.
Myth 2 - April 20th is National pot smoker's day.
While it is true that April 20th is now national pot smoker's day, this is a more recent development and is based on the pre-existing status of 420. There are numerous other myths pertaining to the the date April 20th (day Jimi Hendrix died, Hitlers birthday, First deliberate LSD trip) while these dates are a mixture of true and false none of them are the origin of 420, which originally referred to the time; 4:20pm.
Myth 3 - There are 420 active chemicals in Marijuana
This myth has also been proven false. The number of active chemicals in cannabis varies from strain to strain, however it is believed to average at around 315, not the suggested 420.
The Truth.
It is widely believed now that the true origin of the term comes from a group of High School students from San Rafael High School in California. In 1971 a group of students would regularly meet up at 4:20pm in order to smoke weed. This group of a dozen or so students began using 420 as a method of referring to marijuana (particularly in public, or situations where they were unable to discuss drug use openly). Over time the phrase grew and eventually snowballed into the cultural phenomenon that it is now.
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