What do a group of high school friends, a statue of Louis Pasteur, and the world of cannabis have in common? The answer lies in the story behind the term ‘420,’ which has become synonymous with marijuana culture. It all began in 1971 when five students from San Rafael High School—known as the Waldos—decided to embark on what they called ‘safaris.’ These adventures were not your typical outings; they involved searching for parties or hidden treasures while enjoying their favorite pastime: smoking weed.
The Waldos would gather at 4:20 p.m., after football practice, to partake in these escapades. One fateful day, armed with a map leading to an abandoned patch of cannabis rumored to be growing along Point Reyes peninsula, they met by a statue dedicated to Louis Pasteur. As they lit up before heading out on their quest, little did they know that this specific time would soon morph into code—a secret language among them that could slip past parents and teachers alike.
‘We dropped the “Louis” part,’ Dave Reddix recalls fondly during an interview years later. This simple act transformed ‘420’ into more than just a meeting time; it became shorthand for their shared love of cannabis—a term cloaked in secrecy but bursting with meaning among those who understood its origins.
As word spread beyond their tight-knit circle and eventually seeped into mainstream culture, 420 evolved from being merely an inside joke into something much larger. Today, April 20th is celebrated globally as ‘weed day,’ where enthusiasts gather to honor both the plant and its community.
Interestingly enough, despite its rise in popularity—and even appearing as clues on game shows like Jeopardy!—the original creators faced stigma surrounding cannabis use for decades. Capper and Reddix hesitated initially to share their identities publicly due to societal perceptions about marijuana users back then. However, times have changed dramatically since those early days at San Rafael High School; legalization efforts across various states have allowed them greater freedom to discuss how this once-secretive phrase came about.
Reflecting on how far they’ve come since those carefree afternoons spent lounging against walls discussing life’s mysteries over joints filled with Panama Red or Acapulco Gold strains brings warmth mixed with nostalgia for Capper and his friends—the Waldos are no longer anonymous figures hiding behind euphemisms but rather proud pioneers whose legacy continues influencing contemporary cannabis culture today.