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All the United States California San Rafael 420 Louis Pasteur Statue

420 Louis Pasteur Statue

Of all the origin stories for weed's secret code, this one likely has the goods.

San Rafael, California

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joel
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The statue is at San Rafael High School in northern California.   Sapphic
The statue is at San Rafael High School in northern California.   Sapphic
Louis Pasteur statue by Beniamino Benvenuto Bufano.   Sapphic
San Rafael High School   Sapphic
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About

There is a wealth of modern folklore about the origin of the term “420” and its connection to weed culture. But despite the myths, it isn’t a California police code, nor is it Bob Marley's birthday (he was born in February) or the number of active chemicals in marijuana.

Of the many origin stories for the term 420 as code for all things herbal, the most credible traces back to 1971, to this statue of Louis Pasteur on the campus of San Rafael High.

The slang is said to come from a group of then-students who called themselves the "Waldos," self-proclaimed for their usual hangout by a wall. One of them got hold of a map said to reveal a secret crop of weed, somewhere around a Coast Guard station at nearby Point Reyes. If only the toking Waldos could find that stash...

For weeks they hunted, meeting by the statue after practice (a couple of them were athletes) at 4:20 p.m. The secret code that the treasure hunt was on that day started out as “4:20 Louie,” but they soon shortened it, dropping the “Louie” and giving each other a simple “420” nod in the halls instead. It soon caught on throughout the school, and eventually spread to the local music scene, that at the time included some members of the Grateful Dead. Once they caught wind of it, the term spread like wildfire. Or, at least like smoke signals.

It’s been well over 40 years since those early days at the Louie statue, and 420 has become a universal symbol for pot smokers. It’s caused more than a few headaches for road crews too, including in Stratton, Colorado, where the 420 mile marker on I-70 was continuously being stolen.

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The statue is in front of the main building.

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Added By

leiris

Edited By

MagnumPI

  • MagnumPI

Published

April 20, 2017

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  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXCixW6P7yg
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/20/what-420-means-the-true-s_n_188320.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_(cannabis_culture)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Rafael_High_School
  • http://thisiscriminal.com/episode-64-420-4-7-2017/
420 Louis Pasteur Statue
185 Mission Ave
San Rafael, California, 94901
United States
37.97102, -122.513964
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Museum of International Propaganda

San Rafael, California

miles away

Marin County Civic Center

San Rafael, California

miles away

San Quentin Prison Gift Shop

San Quentin, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Rafael

San Rafael

California

Places 2

Nearby Places

Museum of International Propaganda

San Rafael, California

miles away

Marin County Civic Center

San Rafael, California

miles away

San Quentin Prison Gift Shop

San Quentin, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Rafael

San Rafael

California

Places 2

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