Cannabis Hardware and 420
The Lowdown on 420 and Cannabis Culture
With so many states legalizing cannabis, cannabis culture is becoming a way of life across the country, and around the world. Whether for medical reasons or recreational, more and more people are using advanced methods to enjoy cannabis, such as the increasingly popular use of vaping. Here at Cannabis Hardware, the selection of tools and accessories is on the cutting edge of this culture craze, offering unique and groundbreaking products made in the USA.
Take for instance, the FlowerPot Vrod, a true representation of the future of vaping. This premiere desktop twax vaporizer features everything a cannabis user needs in one place, allowing them to enjoy oil and flower simultaneously, or both, which is known as twax. For advancements in creating concentrates, the incredible Tegridy 20 Ton Rosin Press smokes all others for precision and quality craftsmanship. It even works great for gravity dripping, one of today’s newest methods of enjoying cannabis, similar to a drip irrigation system for growing.
That’s where the future of cannabis culture could be headed, but what about the rich history? Where did the term 420 come from? And what made it such a part of the cannabis vernacular?
Myths and Legends on the Origin of 420
“420” is the most well-known term for cannabis use, and has grown from slang to a defining term in the industry. But what is the true origin of 420? And why is April 20th, or 4/20 such an important day in marijuana history? People often guess at the meaning, and think they’ve heard correctly, but there are multiple false stories out there about how the term came about.
420 is the California police code for illegal marijuana use.
This is the most well-known and widely believed rumor about the origin of the term, but in fact, 420 is actually the code for obstruction for the entrance of a public land.
It references the birthday of Adolf Hitler, which is April 20, 1889
Adolf Hitler? Not sure how people came up with this connection outside of his birthdate, but it’s definitely not true.
Bob Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women No 12 & 35” contains the line “Everybody must get stoned”, and since 12 x 35 equals 420, that’s where the reference originated.
As much as certain folk singers and rock stars might have been closely associated with cannabis use in the 1960s and 1970s, this theory is not only completely coincidental, but is also another false origin of 420.
420 is the number of active chemicals in the cannabis plant
Also false, as the number is closer to approximately 315 chemicals.
4:20 also is the teatime in Holland, a land known for legalized use of marijuana (although the usage rules are quite strict)
While the Dutch take a tea break in the afternoon, it’s not held to any specific time historically.
What’s The Real Story?
The true story behind the origin of how 420 became a euphemism for marijuana is a long, strange trip undertaken by a group of friends. Five California teens growing up together in Marin County in the 1970s, who called themselves the Waldos, used to meet after school at 4:20 pm to toke up and plot their discovery of a secret government facility full of cannabis plants. The San Rafael High School students never found the secret stash, but they did start using the term “420” to refer to them getting high and the name stuck, to say the least!
But they also had help. One of the Waldos had an older brother who was friends with the Grateful Dead’s bassist Phil Lesh, and when the rock star learned of the teens’ code, he made sure to share the idea while the band was touring. Lesh went so far as to pass out flyers urging crowd members at the concerts to smoke pot at 4:20 pm, just like the Waldos.
From there, more and more events starting to be created using the 420 moniker, from casual get-togethers to community gatherings to large conferences. The Waldos themselves noticed their “420” creation written on park benches and walls around the city in graffiti, amazed at the influence.
Eventually 4/20, or April 20th, became known around the world as an unofficial holiday. In popular culture, it was referenced in films such as Pulp Fiction (clocks are set to 4:20), games shows like The Price is Right (where contestants only bid $420), and in some rap songs on the past couple of decades.
In support of the movement, more and more products have been developed to help make cannabis use not only easier, but more appealing and versatile. Ideas such as the game-changing Blunt Mold have led to precise rolling and balanced blunt creation. There’s also the medical grade Fine Grinder, a favorite of vapors who enjoy extra fine grind. These are just two of the distinctive items available at NewVape that have pushed the envelope and added efficiency and ease of operation to the culture.
Regardless of its exact origin, 420 has become a symbol of cannabis culture and a day for cannabis enthusiasts to come together to celebrate and advocate for cannabis legalization. It has grown into an international phenomenon, with gatherings, events, and protests taking place on April 20th in many countries where cannabis use is a topic of interest. Over time, the significance of 420 has expanded beyond its origins, and it now represents a global cannabis holiday.
States That Have Legalized Marijuana
In the USA, many of the 50 states have made medical marijuana use legal. Other states also allow recreational use, making it legal for adults 21 years or older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Adults can also grow up to six marijuana plants per household in these states.
Recreational & Medical Use
Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington
Medical Use Only
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia
Restricted Medical Use
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Each year, more states get added to the list of those who have decided to legalize recreational marijuana use. Voters across the country have the opportunity, if they choose, to increase the reach of cannabis culture and make “420” even more popular and accepted than it is today.