Challenging Myths: Cannabis
Despite the fact cannabis has been legalized recreationally in 18 states and medicinally in 38, a number of myths and misinformation persist. This article, the third in a series, explores these common myths. Check out the first and second article here. Also, you can read about the myths surrounding Utah’s medical cannabis program here.
This article will explain some of the most common myths on the origin of ‘420.’ Be sure to read about the true origin of 420 here.
Police Dispatch Code
One of the oldest and common myths about the origin of 420 is that it was police code for cannabis-related activity. The origin of this myth can be traced back to a flyer distributed at a Grateful Dead concert in 1990. While the flyer correctly stated 420 started somewhere in San Rafael, CA, it falsely claimed 420 was police code for “Marijuana Smoking in Progress.” An article about the flyer was later published in High Times magazine in 1991. However, after seeing this article, the true creators of 420 came forward and a story on “The Waldos” was published in 1998, explaining its true origin.
Chemical Compounds
Another common myth on the origin of 420 is that there are exactly 420 active chemical compounds in cannabis. This also is false. There are reportedly 315 active chemical compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hitler’s Birthday
While it is true Hitler’s birthday was April 20th, there is absolutely no connection to Hitler and the term. Hitler was born in 1889 and died in 1945—long before cannabis and the cannabis culture had become popularized.
Celebrity Deaths
Some believe 4/20 was the date of Bob Marley’s death, but Marley died May 11, 1981. Nor was 4/20 his birthday. Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945. Similarly, it’s falsely been claimed 4/20 is the date that Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin or Jim Morrison died. All of which are false. Hendrix died on September 18, 1970; Joplin on October 4, 1970; and Morrison on July 3, 1971.
Legislative Bill Number
Another myth that has been circulated on the internet is that ‘420’ is the designated number of the bill in Congress to legalize cannabis nationwide. This also is not true. The MORE Act, which recently passed the House, would de-schedule cannabis and essentially decriminalize it, but this bill is numbered H.R. 3617, not H.R. 420.
However, it is true that on January 1, 2004, the Governor of California signed into law Senate Bill 420, which essentially established California’s medical cannabis program. Of course, ‘420’ was in use long before 2004.
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
Last but not least, one of the most unbelievable (and laughable) myths on the origin of 420 is based on the popular Bob Dylan song from 1966, “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” in which Dylan exclaims, “Everybody must get stoned!” According to the myth, when you multiply 12 and 35 you get 420, therefore Bob Dylan must have created the term. While it’s true 12 x 35 = 420, there is no validity to this claim. In fact, Dylan stated in an article for Rolling Stone magazine in 2012 that people interpreting the song to be about getting stoned weren’t familiar with the “Book of Acts” from The Bible, which contains a story of a person being stoned to death. Hardly a reason for celebration.
ADVERTISEMENT
