Many will hear the term 420 today, but few know that it stands for international Weed Day, which is celebrated by marijuana advocates around the world on April 20.
Gathered around drums circles and under black lights, the origin of the term has been widely debated by many so-called stoners. Some believe the number refers to the amount of chemicals in cannabis, while others believe the term originated from a Santa Cruz police code that meant “marijuana smoking in progress.”
However, its oldest reference can be traced back to a popular flier, which was distributed at Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd concerts that called “for a smoke-out on 4/20 at 4:20 p.m.”
Hundreds of events will take place around the country to mark the day. Although some will be political, advocating for the legalization of marijuana, others will just be an excuse for people to get high.
The term was further popularized in 2003, when the California Legislature named the medical marijuana bill SB420. Since the bill passed, marijuana dispensaries have become a controversial issue in Los Angeles County and many have been shut down as fast as they began “cropping” up.
Those that advocate for the legalization of marijuana often call it a medicine. However, unlike most medicines, marijuana is not prescribed by milligram dosage, and many so-called non-profit dispensary “operators” have made exorbitant amounts of money from the plant.
Advocates of the plant consider the effects of marijuana very benign compared to alcohol, cigarettes and harder narcotics. However, the drug continues to be categorized under a Schedule I classification of the Control Substance Act, and growers and purveyors of the plant continue to be targeted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. See the attached PDF for the DEA’s take on the drug.
Today on 420, we would like your take on this controversial plant that some call a medicine and others a drug with the following poll:
