April 20th, also known as 4/20, is a day that is celebrated by many marijuana enthusiasts. According to USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/04/20/what-is-420-marijuana-legalization/100654712/), there are different theories about why 4/20 became associated with smoking weed. Some say it is because “420” was a code used by police to describe marijuana use, while others believe it was coined by a group of California high school students in the 1970s. Regardless of its origin, 4/20 has become a day for people to gather and indulge in marijuana use.
This year, 4/20 comes at a time when the United States government is reviewing its marijuana policy, as NBC Bay Area (https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Thousands-Show-Up-for-420-Festival-at-Golden-Gate-Park-420549273.html) reports. Despite this, thousands of people showed up for the annual 4/20 festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. According to ABC7 News (https://abc7news.com/society/heres-how-the-bay-area-celebrated-4-20-at-golden-gate-park/5197562/), the celebration at Hippie Hill drew a large crowd.
Many businesses also took advantage of the 4/20 holiday by offering deals and discounts. CBS News (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-best-4-20-deals-to-shop-during-the-marijuana-holiday/) reports that people can find sales on vapes, fast food, and more. However, as the New York Post (https://nypost.com/2022/04/21/nycs-once-wild-4-20-party-just-another-boring-street-fair/) notes, not everyone was excited about 4/20. The annual gathering in Washington Square Park in New York City, which was once a “weed-wonderland,” was described as “just another boring street fair” after marijuana became legal in the city.
Lawmakers also took notice of the 4/20 holiday this year. NBC News (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/lawmakers-address-cannabis-reform-4-20-n1182051) reports that an event called the National Cannabis Policy Summit was held on 4/20. Business leaders and policymakers discussed cannabis reform during the summit.
4/20 was not just an American holiday, as WPTZ (https://www.mynbc5.com/article/uvm-students-gather-for-420-plattsburghs-first-retail-shop-on-standby-for-opening-day/40047518) reports that students at the University of Vermont also celebrated the day. In Missouri, St. Louisans celebrated their first 4/20 after recreational marijuana became legal in the state this year, as KSDK (https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/missouri-celebrates-legal-420-for-the-first-time/63-a537a79f-dcbe-4766-919f-d0f2eb07161c) notes.
Overall, 4/20 continues to be a day when people come together to celebrate marijuana use. While its origins may be up for debate, its popularity as a holiday cannot be denied.
