This Saturday, 20 April, marks a significant day in marijuana culture known as 4/20. Across the globe, cannabis enthusiasts will gather to celebrate and push for legalisation in regions where it remains prohibited. A notable local milestone occurred on 14 December 2021, when the Parliament of Malta legalised recreational cannabis for personal possession and use for individuals aged 18 and over, becoming the first EU country to do so.

The date 20/4, recognised in the American format as 4/20, is all about appreciating cannabis. The term “420” has its roots in the 1970s with a group of California high school friends known as “the Waldos.” They started using “420” as their code for marijuana after embarking on a quest to find a hidden cannabis patch, which they planned every day after school at 4:20 pm. This code eventually spread within their social circles, particularly among followers of the band Grateful Dead.

By the early ’90s, 4/20 had evolved into a full-fledged event after a flier circulated at a Grateful Dead concert promoting a gathering at 4:20 pm on 4/20. Today, this date is celebrated worldwide with large gatherings and music, particularly in places like Hyde Park in London and Civic Center Park in Denver, which hosts one of the world’s largest free 4/20 events.

Besides public gatherings, 4/20 is also marked by themed events such as music festivals and special product releases by breweries like Lagunitas Brewing, which creates a “Waldos’ Special Ale” in honour of the day. As both a celebration and a protest, 4/20 continues to be a key date in the cannabis community, symbolising both unity and a call for change in drug policy.