What is 4/20? How April 20 became a holiday for weed-lovers in New York
Saturday is April 20, or 4/20, a time (4:20 p.m.) associated with smoking marijuana which evolved into an unofficial holiday in which to do so. (There's even a cannabis smoking lounge in California with that name.)
April 20, however, is also a day to see what the laws are in New York regarding marijuana.
About the day
HPC, a California-based cannabis dispensary, citing a Time article, says "420" refers to a time of day when in 1971, a group of San Rafael High School teens would congregate to smoke pot. At 4:20 p.m., school was over for the day and afterschool activities would be done. The teens would say "420" to each other as a code for marijuana.
One of the teens in that group, Dave Reddix, later worked as a roadie for the Grateful Dead band. In 1990, a group of Deadheads in Oakland, California handed out flyers inviting people to smoke "420" the following April 20 at 4:20 p.m.
One of those flyers wound up with High Times magazine, which not only reprinted it, but continued the use of the number as a reference to pot.
"They wanted people all over the world to get together on one day each year and collectively smoke pot at the same time," said Steve Bloom, a former High Times reporter, in a blog post crediting the unknown people who wrote the flyer. "They birthed the idea of a stoner holiday, which April 20 has become."
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What's the law in New York?
Cannabis — also known as marijuana, pot, or weed — is legal in New York for adults 21 years and older, states the Office of Cannabis Management, although it is still illegal under federal law. Adults can have and share (but not sell) up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or bud, and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis such as oils or vapes.
Smoking or vaping of cannabis is allowed most places where tobacco smoking is permitted.
Cannabis sales are allowed only at state-licensed dispensaries.
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How big a business is pot in New York?
As of April 17, there are 110 adult-use cannabis dispensaries in New York. The legalized market generated more than $150 million in sales in 2023, its first year and generating nearly $16.3 million in tax revenue, according to the Office of Cannabis Management.
4/20 events around the area
Cannabis Realm, 475 Central Ave., White Plains, is hosting 4Twenty Weekend. The Heavy Hitters DJs will be part of a celebration including music by Hot 97’s DJ Kast One from 2 to 5 p.m. and DJ Maniatico from 5 to 8 p.m. The following day, Sunday, April 21, DJ Dooley-O will be by to spin classic favorites from 1 to 5 p.m. No RSVP necessary, just visit the store. Doors open 10 a.m.
Canna Cup 2024, at Happy Tree Wellness Center, 99 Route 17K, Newburgh, will host starting at 3 p.m. games and live music among other activities. Cost is $20 for game competitors and $10 for spectators, with tickets available through Eventbrite.
Happy Tree will also on Sunday, April 21 have an Introduction to Home Grow class, also as a commemoration of Earth Day. Cost is $55 with tickets also available through Eventbrite.
Mary Fest, a cannabis lifestyle trade show and festival, will take place at 99 Scott Ave., Brooklyn. Featuring exhibitors, workshops as well as food and drink and live music, the event is billed as an event where attendees will learn about the latest trends as well hear from expert panel discussions on a variety of topics.
The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 and tickets are available on the Mary Fest website.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY marijuana legalization: What are the laws, and what is 4/20?
