High Time

Jacob Sullum | January 27, 2006

The Drug War Chronicle marks its 420th issue with a meditation on the significance of those three digits to pot smokers. Years ago High Times debunked the plausible-sounding story that 20 minutes past 4 became associated with getting high because "420" was California police radio code for a marijuana violation. Yet I've always thought the alternative explanation it endorsed--revolving around a group of San Rafael teenagers who used to gather in the late afternoon to pass a joint around--sounded fishy. How do you authenticate such a claim? Anyway, maybe you can think of a better, even if less true, story.