National Weed Day 420: Stoners Celebrate Marijuana, Even ‘Family Guy’ Enjoys A Bag Of Weed

April 20 is National Weed Day, and whether you know it as 420, 4:20, or 4/20, pot smokers around the world will be smoking and celebrating cannabis, a drug more commonly known as marijuana. At 4:20 p.m. on Monday, and throughout the day, pot smokers will unite to celebrate the annual stoner’s holiday. Even Family Guy is on board with 420, celebrating with the “Bag of Weed” song in the video below.

According to Stoner Days, there are a variety of ways to enjoy marijuana, including blunts, joints, bongs, and the pricey Volcano Vaporizer. No matter how you smoke it, you may be curious about how this yearly celebration started. After you watch the video, grab a bag of chips and read about this popular day for stoners that started more than four decades ago.

There are several theories as to the origin of the term “420.” According to High Times, it dates back to 1971 when a group of teens would meet after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at the Louis Pasteur statue near San Rafael High School in San Rafael, California. The group reportedly called itself the Waldos because its members hung out by a wall after school.

SF Gate lists a few other theories behind this urban myth, including speculation that 420 is the police radio code for marijuana smoking in progress, or the penal code section for weed use.

“Devotees will insist that 420 is the penal code section for marijuana use, or the police radio code for marijuana smoking in progress, or the number of chemical compounds in marijuana, or that April 20 is the date that Jim Morrison died. Unless it was Jimi Hendrix, or was that Janis Joplin?”

Marijuana is still an illegal drug according to federal law, but it has been legalized for recreational use in two states, Washington and Colorado. USA Today reports that medical marijuana is now legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia. More than 10 countries around the world have either decriminalized or tolerate the use of cannabis in limited quantities.

Legal or illegal, there will be events and gatherings, both planned and unplanned, around the globe on National Weed Day. In Colorado, there are several celebrations going on throughout the weekend leading up to 420. Thousands of pot smokers are expected to attend events such as a public festival and concert at Denver’s Civic Center Park, and the High Times U.S. Cannibis Cup to celebrate the widely-used drug.

[Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]