Every year on April 20 some cannabis enthusiasts around the world engage in collective cannabis smoking and ‘roll one up’ to mark their love for the herb and campaign for the legalisation of cannabis.
The day, stylised as 4/20, is also used by activist groups, such as Crainn here in Ireland, to highlight ongoing issues with the regulation of cannabis and to bring awareness to the large number of people who still face criminal penalties for the consumption of cannabis.
From the origin of the term to what happens on the day, here is everything you need to know about 4/20.
What is 4/20?
Quite simply 4/20 is a holiday to celebrate smoking weed. Every year enthusiasts from around the world gather, generally in parks or open spaces, and engage in collective outdoor cannabis consumption, irrespective of the legality, to mark their love for the herb.
The day is also used for activism. Crainn, an Irish organisation that aims to educate the public and policymakers on sensible drug policy solutions which promote safety and harm reduction, headed to the GPO in Dublin today to get people involved in the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs. They have also highlighted the people who have been handed jail terms for cannabis.
Why is April 20 synonymous with cannabis consumption?
Well, this one is contested. There are a lot of stories about why April 20 is the date that cannabis culture is celebrated worldwide.
Firstly as the date is stylised as 4/20, the way the US labels its dates with the month first, the origin can most likely be traced back to some point across the pond in America.
Although many origin stories exist, such as California’s 420 Penal Code or the number of chemicals in cannabis, the most accepted story is that of some high school kids in the US who were on the hunt for an alleged crop of weed growing somewhere in the town.
The legend goes that the five teenagers, who called themselves The Waldos, would meet every day at 4:20pm after school by a statue of Louis Pasteur. The group would allegedly then salute the statue saying 4/20 Louis, High Times reports.
While the group never found the crop, the term they used for smoking weed became popularised - thus starting the holiday.
Legality in Ireland
Cannabis is illegal in Ireland, but we are making some moves. In June 2021, the medicinal use of cannabis via prescription was legalised in Ireland.
Subsequently, in November 2021, a Dublin man became the first person in Ireland to be prescribed a medicinal cannabis product provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). However, only people with certain conditions qualify for the scheme and there have been campaigns to widen the criteria.
CBD or cannabidiol, a product commonly sold in shops like Holland and Barret for pain relief, is in a legal grey area.
Currently, CBD is underpinned by the Misuse of Drugs Act. Under EU law, however, products containing under 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis), can be sold throughout the EU under European Regulation - resulting in a lack of legal clarity impacting businesses selling the product.
Are there any events on?
Believe it or not, there are. In the Wigwam in Dublin, the MOB Comedy 420 edition will take place.
Described as an “alternative Comedy from Dublin's top up-and-coming comedians”, the event starts at 8pm and will begin with the Bootsy Boys Sketch Show, followed at 9pm by what is labelled the 420 show.
READ NEXT:
Garda killer Stephen Silver sentenced to life in prison for capital murder of Detective Colm Horkan
Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch looks almost unrecognisable out and about in Dublin after bombshell verdict
- Met Eireann predict sunny days before major change could bring back wintry weather
- 'Irish Bear Grylls' Dane Galligan on battling severe depression and anxiety
- Gordon Elliott sends three runners to Cheltenham for first day of April meeting
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
