Every year on April 20, people across Canada and beyond recognize 420, but most don’t know how simple it started.
It wasn’t a holiday at first, it was just a time, 4:20 PM. Back in the 1970s in San Rafael, a small group of students would meet after school at that exact time. “420” became their code, and somehow that code spread, quietly at first, then everywhere. No big marketing, no internet push, just word of mouth that kept growing.
Fast forward to today, and 4/20 is something completely different. Cities like Vancouver helped turn it into a real public event, with crowds, energy, and a strong sense of community. Then came Toronto, where the gatherings got bigger, louder, and more visible every year.
But the story in the GTA didn’t just start downtown.
Before the massive crowds, there were smaller scenes building up in places like Oakville. Low key meetups, real people, word spreading naturally. From there, the energy moved across Halton Region, including Burlington and Milton, and through Peel Region, hitting Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Each area added its own crowd, its own vibe, building momentum year after year until everything funneled into Toronto.
One thing that never changed, the time still matters. 4:20 PM is still the moment. No matter where you are, that time hits and people pause, connect, and share the same energy. It’s not just a date, it’s a ritual.
What makes 4/20 special now is how far it’s come. What used to be hidden is now out in the open. What used to be a small group is now a global culture. It’s about freedom, community, and enjoying the moment, whatever that looks like for you.
And every year, it keeps getting bigger.
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