Meet the Waldos

The 420 origin story is a jumbled mess of old wives’ tales and urban legends, occasionally peppered with hints of fact. Contrary to popular belief, though, those three digits aren’t a nod to Hitler’s birthday, penal codes, or active chemicals. According to the Huffington Post, which claims to have the legitimate history of 420, the iconic number has its roots in the forests of Point Reyes, California.

As the story goes, a group of high school students, calling themselves the Waldos, accidentally coined the term back in the 1970s when they went on a treasure hunt for an abandoned grow site. They never actually found the hidden treasure, but their failed adventure in weed seeking sparked an undeniable cultural movement.

If you really want to get to know the Waldos, you can check out their website here or snag some sick Waldos swag in their online shop.