Ranj's Blog: 4:20 got a minute?

Say what I want

4:20 got a minute?

What is 420? Why is it associated with marijuana use? People has different reasons as to why they attribute marijuana use to the number 420. Most people, like myself were told that 420 is the California state penal code fro marijuana smoking in progress. The fact is that penal code 420 is actually defined as a misdemeanor the hindrance of use of public lands. Another story is that a group of guys during the 1970's had a group that met to smoke marijuana after school at 4:20pm. This is a more likely story because for most people in school 4:20pm gives you ample time to leave school and get to your meeting place. Another suggestion is that 4/20 is the perfect day for growers to plant a crop before the summer. This also makes sense.

Regardless of the meaning, 420 has become an icon of the marijuana culture. For some April 20th is looked at as a holiday and for others it's merely just another number and another day. I have a friend in upstate New York that has claimed to not have missed a 4:20pm pot smoking session in about a decade. I don't know how true this is but, I can confirm that he does celebrate the day 4/20 each year and even takes the day off from work in advance.

According to www.concept420.com, When the 420 icon is somehow discreetly worked into a mainstream product like a film, marijuana users take notice. The film Pulp Fiction is rumored to have had all clocks throughout the movie set to 4:20. Marijuana smokers familiar with the symbol picked up on it—most people, however, did not.

While some marijuana smokers are using 420 as a code that enables them to openly speak about marijuana in front of parents or teachers. 420 has been to some, a sacred symbol for nearly 30 years.

Simply put, 420 is a symbol of cannabis and its culture. Today, April 20th events are international, and 4:20 pm has become sort of a world wide "burn time". (www.420concept.com, 2009)

So, for those of you that recognize 4/20 as a holiday, take a hit for me.