Every year on April 20th, cannabis enthusiasts from around the world come together to celebrate their favorite herb. But why 4/20? Where did this date come from? We’re here to separate the facts from fiction. There are many myths as to why 4/20 is the date for the cannabis holiday, but first, let’s begin with the facts.

The most credible story of 4/20 originates in the early 1970s at San Rafael High School when a group of students would meet at 4:20 p.m. to partake in this activity. The students, Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich became known as the “Waldos” because their meet-up spot was at a wall near the campus’ statue of chemist Louis Pasteur.

But how did this become a worldwide phenomenon? Reddix, a roadie for the rock band Grateful Dead helped popularize the term “420.” In December 1990, fans of the band, called Deadheads, handed out flyers inviting people to smoke “420” on April, 20th at 4:20 p.m.  With this popular band touring far and wide, the seeds of 420 spread all around the world. A flyer reached the right hands of a reporter, who then credited this as a holiday and gave credit to the Waldos as the inventors.

Today 4/20 has become a day of celebration and activism, highlighting the legalizations campaigns and cannabis-related events.

Now for some interesting myths about the origins of 4/20:

1. The dispatch code police officers use for marijuana possession or consumption is 420.
2. Adolf Hitler’s birthday is 4/20. TRUE but not why.
3. The California Penal Code for cannabis is 420.
4. There are 420 chemical compounds in the cannabis plant.
5. In the film Pulp Fiction, all the clocks are set to 4:20.
6. 4/20 is the anniversary of Bob Marley’s death.
7. The proper “tea-time” in the United Kingdom is 4:20 p.m.