The History of Cannabis: The Waldos and the 420

Cannabis has an extensive record in both Western medicine and Eastern spirituality. Thanks to this, a group of friends called “The Waldos” must be credited with the number 420. Their story has been retold in many media outlets and is now a part of history.

Origins of Cannabis

Cannabis has long served to treat a wide range of medical conditions. It was mentioned in many ancient texts, including the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopeia (around 2800 BC), the Atharva Veda, a Hindu text from 2000 to 1400 BCE, and the Susrita Samhita, a foundational Ayurvedic manual from 800 BCE.

Despite its medicinal properties, cannabis was still considered a drug and used to achieve euphoria. It was because it had a lot of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), which is the chemical that makes cannabis change your mind.

Cannabis treated rheumatism, gout, depression, amenorrhea, inflammation, pain, and insomnia in ancient cultures. It was burned for its fragrant fumes in ceremonies and funerals. Burned seeds have been found in kurgan burial mounds in Siberia dating back to 3,000 B.C. and in tombs of noble people buried in China and Siberia around 2500 B.C.

The Waldos

The Waldos, a group of wisecracking high school boys who named themselves after meeting on a wall, established the number 420. They got high and searched for a mysterious marijuana patch daily at 4:20 PM. As if it were a treasure map, the cannabis enthusiasts decided to start their search in the afternoon to find and confirm that there was abandoned cultivation of such an enigmatic plant. Why then? They met because they weren't in school, and their parents weren't home yet.

They sat at the Louis Pasteur statue each day and would look up at it to remind themselves that they needed to go out and find that weed. It was a fun way to remember their search.

Grateful Dead fans, known as deadheads, spread the term years later. In 1990, Steve Bloom, editor of High Times, a cannabis news publication, found the explanation in a band flier, and 420 became popular among the magazine's staff. Phil Lesh, the band's bassist, was a close friend of one of the Waldos' elder brothers and realized that the band and its fans were spreading 420 awareness.

Today, the Waldos are all in their mid-60s and remain in Marin County. They still hang out and joke around.

Symbolism

Over time, the legacy of The Waldos has transcended. As the years went on, April 20 became synonymous with cannabis use, inspiring celebrations in countries all over the globe. These events, which include marches and carnivals, are held to advocate for the drug's legalization in regions where it is still prohibited.

All this is in honor of everything these classmates have done, starting a revolution for the legalization and acceptance of marijuana.

For marijuana smokers, 4/20 is more than just a celebration of getting high. It’s a day to gather and share marijuana culture. The holiday is a worldwide phenomenon celebrated in most states in the U.S. It also is a rallying point for marijuana legalization activists in many countries.

In the words of one of the Waldos, 420 is mostly about friendship, family, solidarity, and love.

Celebrate with Us the Legacy of 420!

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