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It’s April 20th, a day known to many worldwide as 420. This holiday celebrates everything to do with weed culture and it has grown incredibly to have a global presence through the years. Whether you want to smoke, toke, or enjoy an edible, here is a bit about the history and legality of this day.
History
According to Time Magazine, 420 can be traced back to 1971. A group of five students at San Rafael High School in Marin County, CA began meeting at 4:20 PM to smoke marijuana. They would use the code 420 between them to signify smoking while keeping others out of the loop. (The photo above came from Wikipedia.)
Where is Recreational Marijuana Legal in the US?
Recreational marijuana usage is legal in 21 US states (seen in blue above) including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. It’s also legal in Washington DC, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands. Another 10 states have decriminalized its use.
Where is Recreational Marijuana Legal in the Rest of the World?
Canada, Georgia, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay all have legal recreational marijuana. Many other countries have decriminalized it and/or allow specific usage like the coffee shops in the Netherlands.
How is 420 Celebrated?
Aside from hitting the bong, making some brownies, or popping a few THC-infused gummies, there are different events commemorating 420 around the world. These include:
- The National Cannabis Festival (Washington DC) (This is actually held on April 22nd.)
- The Amsterdam 420 Festival (Amsterdam)
- 420 Hyde Park (London)
- 420 Hippie Hill (San Francisco)
- Nightlife Stoned (San Francisco)
- Baked! (San Francisco)
- The Cannabis Week Denver 4/20 Festival (Denver)
- 4/20 Vancouver (Vancouver)
- 4/20 Cannabis Celebration – The Alchemist’s Kitchen (New York City)
Anthony’s Take: I’m lucky to have a dispensary just a few doors away in Chicago and may or may not be celebrating later today. Whether you choose to smoke, eat an edible, or refrain altogether, 420 is a holiday that continues to grow as decriminalization takes hold in the US and around the world.
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1 comment
Happy 420!