Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Where does 420 come from?
Position‹2 of 3›

The law

This position traces the origins of '420' — slang for cannabis — to the law. It weighs the claims that the number came from a Californian bill to legalise cannabis, or that it began as a police radio code for marijuana use, as underground origins for the term.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. 420 is the number of a bill to legalise cannabis
    In 2003, California Senate Bill 420 (SB 420) legalized medical marijuana.
  2. 420 is police code for cannabis
    Police officers use the term "420" as a code word for cannabis.