The annual cannabis celebration known as 4/20 coincided this year with two major religious observances—Easter Sunday and the final day of Passover—resulting in a diverse and sometimes irreverent fusion of traditions across the United States.
In cities such as Los Angeles, Portland, and New York, cannabis enthusiasts marked the occasion with creative events ranging from “Easter nug hunts” to drag brunches themed around religious imagery and marijuana culture.
Holiday Convergence Sparks Creativity
“We figured with the cost of eggs these days, we might as well hunt for something greener,” said Brett Davis, founder of Weed Bus Los Angeles. Davis organized an Easter-themed cannabis scavenger hunt in West Hollywood, where participants used a mobile app to follow clues through local dispensaries and complete stoner-themed challenges. The winner received a $500 prize.
In Portland, Oregon, the “Blaze and Praise” drag brunch at Bar Carlo drew a crowd of 4/20 revelers. While cannabis consumption wasn’t permitted onsite, guests received gift baskets featuring marijuana-themed items such as a mini glass bong and bunny ears. One drag performer, Ed Du’Bull, carried a large white cross fashioned to resemble lit joints. “We’ve given the performers carte blanche,” said venue owner Melinda Archuleta. “It’s a 21-and-over crowd, so they can push the envelope.”
Meanwhile, in New York, the cannabis brand Tokin’ Jew launched a kosher-friendly THC gummy line called “Tokin’ Chews” for Passover.
Tracing the Roots of 4/20
The origin of “420” has long been the subject of speculation, with theories ranging from a police code for marijuana to a reference in Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35.” However, the most widely accepted account traces the term back to a group of California high school students in the 1970s.
Known as “The Waldos,” the group of friends from San Rafael High School coined the term after regularly meeting at 4:20 p.m. to search for a rumored hidden cannabis crop. Though they never found it, the term “420” stuck, eventually entering mainstream cannabis culture.
The Waldos preserved letters and memorabilia referencing “420,” some of which were later cited by the Oxford English Dictionary when it officially recognized the term in 2017.
From Local Slang to Global Phenomenon
The spread of 420 culture is closely linked to the Grateful Dead, the iconic rock band whose bassist, Phil Lesh, had connections to members of the Waldos. The group’s slang was adopted by the band’s fan community and eventually caught the attention of High Times magazine in the early 1990s.
Steve Bloom, a reporter attending a Dead concert, received a flyer promoting a cannabis meet-up on April 20 at 4:20 p.m. The magazine published the flyer, helping to cement 4/20 as the unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts.
“It’s a phenomenon,” said Steve Capper, one of the Waldos, in an earlier interview with The Associated Press. “Most things fade, but 4/20 has endured. It’s like the New Year’s Eve of cannabis culture.”
Celebrations Span the Country
While local gatherings were marked by playful and irreverent themes this year, larger events took place across the country. Denver hosted its annual Mile High 420 Festival, and Atlanta saw celebrations sponsored by SweetWater Brewing. In Petaluma, California, Lagunitas Brewing released its limited-edition “Waldos’ Special Ale,” a nod to the originators of the term.
In contrast, San Francisco’s traditional Hippie Hill celebration in Golden Gate Park was canceled for the second year in a row due to financial constraints and city budget cuts.
Despite the varied formats, one constant remained: the enthusiastic embrace of cannabis culture, often blending humor, history, and irreverence—especially when 4/20 aligns with other major holidays.
“This year was a true melting pot,” said Archuleta. “For some, it was about faith. For others, it was about fun. For many, it was both.”
