Ever wondered about the true origin of '420,' that ubiquitous number synonymous with cannabis culture? Far from being a police code, a Bob Marley birthday, or a random date, the real tale traces back to a group of high school students in San Rafael, California, in 1971. Dubbed 'the Waldos,' because they'd meet by a wall, these students would gather at 4:20 PM after school to search for a rumored abandoned cannabis crop. Their secret phrase, '420 Louis,' quickly evolved into simply '420,' becoming their discreet code for any cannabis-related activity. The term eventually spread through the Grateful Dead's fan base, thanks to connections with the Waldos, and from there, it blossomed into the global cannabis holiday and cultural touchstone we know today. So next time you hear '420,' you're tapping into a piece of playful, grassroots history!