420 has been recognized around the world for decades as a symbolic day of protest and civil disobedience against unjust and illogical laws that prohibit the use and sale of Cannabis.
With weed being legal in Canada for a few years now, many Canadians wonder why is it still important for them to respect and constantly uphold the tradition of 420?
The answer is layered within three significant components.
For one, many Canadians are still incarcerated unjustly over archaic trafficking and possession laws.
Two; while Canada has legalized it; many other parts of the world still hold prohibition-era views (including our American neighbour's to the south) and are looking for Canada to set an example.
Third; It is a celebration of all those that came before us and lay the groundwork for medical and recreational freedoms that we earned and can uphold.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's retrace our steps to see how 420 even started. As the story goes:
In 1971, five high school students in San Rafael, California,[5][6] used the term "4:20" in connection with a plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop, based on a treasure map made by the grower.[7][8] Calling themselves the Waldos,[9][10] because their typical hang-out spot "was a wall outside the school",[11] the five students (Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich)[12] designated the Louis Pasteur statue[13] on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20 pm as their meeting time.[11] The Waldos referred to this plan with the phrase "4:20 Louis". After several failed attempts to find the crop, the group eventually shortened their phrase to "4:20", which ultimately evolved into a codeword the teens used to refer to consuming Cannabis.[7]
Source: Wikipedia
Steven Hager popularized the 420 story; the famous counterculture activist and editor of High Times magazines transformed the narcotics-based magazine into a strict cannabis print media company.
See the original article here: http://420waldos.com/wp-
While the days of 420 protests and marches on Queen's Park and Parliament hill have simmered down, there still is a battle to be fought.
While the US continues to drag their feet on cannabis legalization, we will continue to uphold the traditions of 420.
While there are still people incarcerated in Canadian jails for archaic possession laws, we will continue to uphold the traditions of 420...
And while the rest of the world sits idly by and emulates the incorrect notions of Reefer Madness, we will lead as a nation and let them bear witness to the positive societal effects around freedom of choice around Cannabis. 2.5 years into legalization, and Canada has not deteriorated because of it. We are the proof that civil disobedience and protesting unjust laws can lead to meaningful change.
