Table of Contents
“The biggest killer on the planet is stress, and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”
— Willie Nelson, musician and long-time cannabis advocate
The Waldos and San Rafael High
Before 4/20 became a national cannabis holiday or a retail explosion with 420 deals, it was just a number—a secret code shared by a group of high school students in San Rafael, California. In 1971, five teens known as “The Waldos” would meet after school at 4:20 PM to smoke cannabis and search for a rumored, abandoned weed crop. They’d say “4:20 Louis” as a covert way to coordinate their daily ritual.
This innocent after-school tradition unintentionally launched one of the most iconic counterculture symbols in cannabis history. The number “420” became a unifying phrase among those in the know. What started as an inside joke among teens would eventually ignite a global movement.
Quick Fact:
How the Grateful Dead Helped Spread the Word
The Waldos’ circle of influence extended beyond the schoolyard. One of the teens had a brother who worked with the Grateful Dead, and another had a father who managed real estate for the band. This close connection helped the term “420” migrate from the high school halls to concert parking lots and festival fields.
As the Grateful Dead toured across the U.S., so did the code. By the late ’80s and early ’90s, Deadheads and cannabis lovers nationwide were using “420” as a cultural password—an invitation to smoke, share stories, and rebel peacefully.
The High Times Influence
The phrase found its way into the national spotlight in 1991 when High Timesmagazine published a flyer referencing 4/20 as a day of cannabis celebration. From there, the term officially moved from subculture slang to mainstream cannabis culture.
By 1995, April 20th was being observed in dispensaries and underground communities alike as the unofficial marijuana holiday. Today, 4/20 has become an anchor in the cannabis calendar—synonymous with legalization rallies, product drops, and plant-based wellness.
Infographic: 4/20 Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 1971 | The Waldos start meeting at 4:20 PM |
| 1980s | Grateful Dead spreads the code across the U.S. |
| 1991 | High Times publishes the first 4/20 flyer |
| 2000s | April 20 becomes an annual counterculture celebration |
| 2020s | 420 becomes commercialized, widely recognized in the CBD industry |
At its heart, the origins of 4/20 are rooted in camaraderie, curiosity, and a shared love of cannabis—a spirit that lives on in today’s legal marketplace and brands like www.StandardCBD.com, who continue to honor the plant with lab-tested, terpene-rich products crafted in California.
Stay tuned for Section 2: From Counterculture to Cannabis Capitalism…
The Legalization Wave
What began as a coded phrase for stoners is now a cornerstone of a booming, legalized industry. Since Colorado and Washington first legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, the momentum has only accelerated. California—home to StandardCBD and the birthplace of the 4/20 code—has become a global leader in legal cannabis innovation, from hemp-derived wellness products to real cannabis terpenes for vapes and edibles.
The result? A radical transformation. 4/20 has shifted from being a fringe protest date to a full-blown holiday celebrated in dispensaries, CBD shops, and state-sanctioned festivals. Cannabis users no longer gather in secret. They show up in style—legally, publicly, and proudly.
State-Level Legalization Highlights:
The CBD industry has also exploded, with consumers nationwide turning to non-psychoactive options like Delta 8, THC-P, and CBN blends for mood balance, sleep, and relief—especially during major holidays like 4/20.
Branding, Sales & Festivals
Today, April 20th is essentially the cannabis industry’s Black Friday. Major brands launch exclusive drops, CBD retailers (like StandardCBD) unveil their biggest sales of the year, and cannabis lovers flock to local events, pop-ups, and wellness activations. From Miami to Mendocino, it’s a multi-sensory celebration of plant power.
Top Ways Brands Celebrate 4/20:
Even functional mushroom gummies are entering the spotlight, blending CBD with nootropics and adaptogens to create the next wave of holistic 4/20 experiences.
The Rise of Wellness-Oriented Cannabis
The 4/20 of today isn’t just about getting high. It’s about getting well. Consumers are looking beyond THC percentages and toward therapeutic blends that include CBD for relaxation, real terpenes for taste and efficacy, and mushroom-enhanced edibles for functional focus or spiritual balance.
This trend has given rise to the “California Sober” lifestyle, where many are replacing alcohol with cannabinoids, adaptogens, and mushrooms. From soccer moms to executives, 4/20 is becoming a day of self-care and ritual, not just recreation.
Trending Products for 4/20 Wellness:
The evolution from counterculture to capitalism might seem ironic, but it’s also empowering. What was once criminalized is now celebrated—and companies like StandardCBD are leading the charge with clean, creative, compliant products for every kind of consumer.
Up next: Section 3 — Why 4/20 Still Matters in 2025, especially as the holiday gains deeper spiritual and cultural meaning…
Cultural Unity and Global Recognition
In 2025, 4/20 is more than just a date—it’s a cultural landmark. From Tokyo to Toronto, people come together to celebrate the power of the cannabis plant. What began as a local California ritual has evolved into a global movement uniting patients, creatives, wellness seekers, and advocates under one common banner: cannabis freedom.
This annual holiday bridges generations and backgrounds. Baby Boomers who once hid their stash now vape openly with terpene-rich disposables. Millennials and Gen Z experiment with microdosing, Amanita mushrooms, and CBD for relaxation. It’s no longer about rebellion—it’s about intention, connection, and community.
Fun Fact:
Policy & Equity Conversations
While the industry has grown, 4/20 also serves as a reminder of the work still to be done. The cannabis boom was built on the backs of many who were criminalized for the same plant now being sold legally in high-end dispensaries. That’s why the 4/20 conversation increasingly includes advocacy for:
Brands like www.StandardCBD.com are using the spotlight of 4/20 to highlight these issues, while also promoting education, transparency, and lab-tested products that raise the industry standard.
Symbol of a Plant-Based Renaissance
2025 marks a broader awakening around natural wellness. From cannabis to functional mushrooms, we’re witnessing a full-blown plant-based renaissance. Consumers are ditching harsh pharmaceuticals and alcohol in favor of cannabinoids, adaptogens, and botanicals that support mind-body balance.
At the forefront of this shift are California cannabis brands like StandardCBD—offering full-spectrum products like our KO Blend that combine CBD, Delta 8, CBN, THC-P, and HHC-P with real cannabis terpenes for a multi-dimensional effect.
Top 4 Reasons 4/20 Remains Relevant in 2025:
As cannabis culture matures, so does the meaning behind 4/20. It’s no longer just about lighting up—it’s about lighting the way toward a more conscious, inclusive, and plant-forward future.
Coming up next: Section 4 — When 4/20 Falls on Easter Sunday: The Spiritual and Cultural Significance of April 20th, 2025…
4. Easter Sunday & 4/20: A Rare Alignment
Rebirth, Reflection & Reefer?
Every so often, the universe gives us a wild twist on the calendar—and 2025 is one of those years. For the first time in decades, April 20th lands on Easter Sunday, creating an unexpected but powerful intersection between tradition and transformation.
On one hand, Easter symbolizes renewal, resurrection, and fresh beginnings. On the other, 4/20 represents freedom, rebellion, and the celebration of cannabis culture. At first glance, these holidays may seem worlds apart. But dig a little deeper, and the parallels are striking.
Both honor cycles of growth and awakening. Both bring people together. And both offer a chance to reflect, reset, and reconnect—with ourselves, our communities, and nature. In a world that’s more fast-paced and digital than ever, this rare overlap invites us to slow down, breathe deep, and embrace intentional ritual—whether through meditation, family brunch, or a terpene-rich vape session.
Interesting Fact:
A Time for Connection & Celebration
This once-in-a-generation alignment opens the door to a new kind of holiday experience—one rooted in joy, togetherness, and plant-powered intention. Imagine a family gathering where infused chocolate bunnies and Amanita gummies sit alongside hot cross buns. Where spirituality meets self-care. Where tradition evolves.
Whether you’re observing Easter, celebrating 4/20, or embracing both, 2025 offers a unique chance to redefine what these holidays mean to you. Instead of viewing them as opposites, why not see them as complementary? After all, both holidays celebrate life, rebirth, and shared experiences.
Ideas to Celebrate the 4/20 + Easter Combo:
At www.StandardCBD.com, we believe this convergence is more than coincidence—it’s an invitation. An invitation to reimagine how we gather, how we heal, and how we celebrate the natural rhythms of life. Whether you’re connecting spiritually or socially, this 4/20 Easter fusion is your moment to light up, rise up, and step into a new season of self-discovery.
Next up: Section 5 — How StandardCBD Is Celebrating 4/20 in Style: Limited Drops, Community Vibes & Real Terpenes
5. How StandardCBD Celebrates 4/20
Our Commitment to Craft & Purity
At StandardCBD, 4/20 isn’t just a holiday—it’s a moment to celebrate everything we stand for: clean ingredients, lab-tested formulas, and plant-powered wellness. Born in Humboldt County, our roots run deep in California cannabis culture, and we bring that same passion into every product we craft.
We don’t chase trends—we set them. From our disposables made with real cannabis terpenes to our powerful KO Blend gummies, everything we offer is Farm Bill compliant, full-panel tested, and designed to elevate your experience—whether you’re microdosing, meditating, or celebrating with friends.
What Sets Us Apart:
Exclusive 4/20 Promotions
To celebrate the biggest cannabis holiday of the year, we’re rolling out our biggest deals yet. For a limited time, enjoy sitewide savings, mystery bundles, and limited-edition functional mushroom releases you won’t find anywhere else.
Think infused chocolate bars, KO Blend gummy drops, and handcrafted vape pens packed with real cannabis terpenes. Whether you’re looking to relax, recharge, or reconnect, our 4/20 collection has something for every kind of vibe.
🔥 Don’t Miss:
But act fast—these deals are limited-edition and only available through April 21st.
Sharing the Vibe, Not Just the Product
We’re not just here to sell products—we’re here to build community. This year, we’re encouraging our customers to share their #StandardCBD420 moments on Instagram for a chance to be featured and win exclusive swag. Whether it’s your chill setup, your infused brunch, or your spiritual sesh, we want to see how you vibe with us.
We’re also launching our “Stories from the Field” series, spotlighting real customer testimonials, growers, and behind-the-scenes content that show how far we’ve come—and where we’re headed.
How to Get Involved:
At StandardCBD, this is more than a moment—it’s a movement. And we’re honored to share it with you.
Coming up: Section 6 — Final Puff: What the Future of 4/20 Looks Like, and Why It’s More Than Just a Holiday…
6. Final Puff: What the Future of 4/20 Looks Like
Beyond the Bong: A Smarter, Smoother Cannabis Culture
The cannabis landscape is evolving—and so is 4/20. What was once a counterculture celebration centered on rebellion and rituals is now a global symbol of plant-powered wellness, creativity, and connection. The next generation of consumers isn’t just looking to get high—they’re looking to feel better, live more intentionally, and elevate their daily routine.
That’s where we come in. StandardCBD is proud to be part of the new era: one built on transparency, quality, and innovation. Whether you’re microdosing Amanita, vibing with live terpene vapes, or winding down with our KO Blend gummies, we’re here to offer you more than a product—we offer an experience.
Cannabis, Culture & Consciousness
We believe 4/20 is a reflection of something bigger—a cultural shift toward mindfulness, sustainability, and nature-based healing. This holiday is no longer just about rolling up—it’s about leveling up. It’s about wellness over excess. Presence over escapism. Education over stigma.
Our products are designed with those values in mind—whether you’re navigating stress, pain, or simply searching for a better way to relax. That’s why every formula we offer is lab-tested, terpene-infused, and crafted with care.
Looking Ahead:
🔥 Ready to Celebrate 4/20? We’ve Got You Covered.
This year, we’re giving you the ultimate way to celebrate—with 30% off your entire order during our 4/20 event. Just use the code Standard30 at checkout and experience our most powerful blends yet.
Explore bestsellers like our KO Blend Gummies, HHC-P Vape Disposables, and Amanita Mushroom Gummies—all designed to help you blaze into spring with clarity, calm, and confidence.
🎉 4/20 Exclusive Offer
🛒 Shop the 4/20 Collection Now
Whether you’re new to cannabinoids or a seasoned enthusiast, this 4/20 is your chance to experience plant wellness the www.StandardCBD.com way—clean, potent, and made with love in California.
So go ahead—celebrate. Elevate. Reconnect. This 4/20, feel the difference.
Table of Contents “The biggest killer on the planet is stress, and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”— Willie Nelson, musician and long-time cannabis advocate The Waldos and San Rafael High Before 4/20 became a national cannabis holiday or a retail explosion with 420 deals,
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