The association of "420" with smoking pot is believed to have originated in the early 1970s among a group of high school students in San Rafael, California. The story goes that the students, who called themselves "the Waldos," would meet up at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana. They reportedly chose this time because it was after their extracurricular activities had ended, but before their parents came home from work.
Photo courtesy of Herb Greene - Billboard, page 9, 5 December 1970, Public Domain,
The term "420" eventually caught on and became a code word among marijuana enthusiasts, who would use it to refer to smoking pot or to identify each other in public. Over time, it has become a widely recognized symbol of cannabis culture.
It's worth noting that there are other theories about the origin of the term "420," but the story about the Waldos is the most widely accepted one.
Yes, the Grateful Dead are associated with the Waldos, the group of high school students who are credited with popularizing the use of "420" as a code word for smoking marijuana. One of the members of the Waldos had an older brother who was friends with Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead. The connection between the Waldos and the Grateful Dead helped to spread the use of "420" among Deadheads, the band's devoted fans.
In addition, the Grateful Dead played a role in popularizing the use of cannabis in their music and their counterculture lifestyle. Their concerts were known for their relaxed atmosphere and the presence of marijuana smoke, and many of their songs contain references to drug use. As a result, the Grateful Dead are closely associated with the cannabis culture of the 1960s and 1970s.
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