Cannabis culture has a rich and interesting history, from ancient hemp artifacts to modern recreational and medical marijuana. The plant and its uses are in near-constant evolution, and cannabis is going to be around for as long as humans exist.
Cannabis culture, too, holds a couple of important celebrations, namely those of 420 and 710. These dates may ring a bell if you’re a cannabis lover, but why are they celebrated in the cannabis world? This article will explore their histories and highlight why the cannabis community cherishes these two days because cannabis deserves to be celebrated, studied, and shared.
420 is the more popular of the two dates we’re checking out today. It takes place on April 20 at 4:20 p.m. At this time, thousands of cannabis lovers toke up in an act of solidarity and celebration. The event is fun and inclusive and brings about a true sense of community. For years this date has been a staple of marijuana culture. But why?
Rumors exist that pin different events as the start of the 420 celebration: the death of Jim Morrison or Jimi Hendrix, a Grateful Dead designated smoking time, and other weird stories. However, none of these is the correct basis for the 420 legends. What really happened is equally as exciting and makes for a better urban myth that sounds more like an offshoot of The Goonies or Dead Poets Society but with much less Robin Williams and more Cheech and Chong.
In the 1970s, a group of California high school students known as the Waldos began a daring search for a hidden crop of marijuana using a mysterious map. The group started meeting at 4:20 in front of a Louis Pasteur statue at San Rafael High School, and it was here that their search for this hidden crop would begin. Through exploration, the group searched far and wide for the hidden plan but to no avail. The Waldos kept meeting, though, and would use the phrase “4:20” as code to meet at the statue at the aforementioned time to smoke together. Thus, the legend of 420 was born. It rose in popularity through counterculture cannabis movements and has become to be associated with larger gatherings across the globe.
In its contemporary form, 420 meets to bring awareness to marijuana legalization and tolerance. It’s also used as a great opportunity for a little bit of social disobedience and plenty of social indulgences. This global shift to bring cannabis to the forefront of political and social discussion does more good than can be stated in such a short writeup, and no matter how long it takes for marijuana to become a fully legal and accepted plant, 420 will remain as a reason for passionate cannabis lovers to meet, celebrate, share, learn, and grow.
The next cannabis holiday—710—varies from 420 but retains a similar spirit.
The origins of 710 are unclear, but the meaning behind the day is to celebrate marijuana oils and concentrates. If you flip 710 upside down, it spells “OIL,” a call to the oils, dabs, and so forth that 710 aims to celebrate. While 710 doesn’t have the same prevalence as 420, it is growing in popularity. This is due to the rise in popularity of dabbing and concentrate cannabis products. As legalization—whether recreational or medical—soars, alternative intake methods will continue to see more use.
Dabbing seems to be the most common form of partaking on 710. Dabbing is a fast way to get a hit of highly concentrated cannabis extract. The oil is heated with a blow torch or other such device, and the vapor is inhaled. For many medical marijuana patients that cannot smoke, dabbing is a great, efficient, and quick alternative. The taste is incredible, too.
Whether you are celebrating with others in a peaceful demonstration on 420 or taking a few dabs in the park on 710, be sure to remember why you’re there.
Both 420 and 710 are reminders that marijuana is a beautiful tool, one that has a plethora of medical and recreational uses that far exceed whatever negative propaganda likes to say (we’re looking at you, gateway drug theory). On these days, make an effort to celebrate with others so that you may maximize your enjoyment.
And always celebrate these holidays with a smile on your face. You never know who may be watching, and the more that come to see marijuana as the force for positive change that it is, the more acceptance will grow. Acceptance is key to a greener future that includes cannabis legalization, decriminalization, and global understanding.
In the confusing landscape of state-by-state medical marijuana legalization and federal prohibition lies a patient’s pursuit of a better quality of life, balanced with an unrestricted financial livelihood. In workplaces across many different medical marijuana legal states, no law guarantees that a valid, card-carrying MMJ patient status exempts an employee from termination or discrimination stemming…
It feels like every other day, a fresh slang term pops up in the cannabis lexicon, and today, we’re looking at an entry that’s all over TikTok and Reddit – Yart! Spoiler alert: it has everything to do with the humble vape cart (and how challenging it is to talk about cannabis on social media). …
The final stage of life often brings profound challenges for both patients and their families. For patients in hospice and palliative care, common symptoms not only affect the physical body but also their mental well-being. While traditional medications may dull pain, they often come with heavy sedation, confusion, and loss of clarity. Fortunately, medical cannabis…
The old “lazy stoner” stereotype is quickly fading. We now see bodybuilder moms using cannabis for better sleep, runners getting in the zone with the help of weed, and many other examples of cannabis being used in ways that counter the unmotivated stereotypes of the past. As legal access to the plant increases, more people…
If you’re planning to get a medical marijuana card in 2026, you might be wondering whether you need to meet with a certified cannabis doctor—either online or in person. Still, finding a qualified medical marijuana doctor near you can feel overwhelming and confusing if you’re not sure where to start. This guide shows you exactly…
Sign up for our newsletter
Learn the process in your state
All Rights Reserved Veriheal Inc. ©
Terms Privacy Policy Advertising Agreement Content Disclamer
Get your medical marijuana card today
Sign up in under 5 minutes
Start By Selecting Your State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Puerto Rico
