Every year on April 20th, cannabis enthusiasts around the globe celebrate a cultural phenomenon known simply as “420.” What began as an inside joke among a group of California high school students in the 1970s has grown into an internationally recognized holiday, complete with rallies, festivals, and calls for reform. In 2025, 4/20 takes on a unique twist—it falls on Easter Sunday. As a result, some celebrations in Ohio will shift to April 19th, which just so happens to be another auspicious day for fans of psychedelics.
Read on to learn more…
The History of 420
The term “420” dates back to 1971 when a group of friends at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California, known as “the Waldos,” used a code to meet up after school at 4:20 PM to smoke cannabis together. “420” stuck as their shared symbol for all weed-related activities. The term gained traction when the Grateful Dead popularized it, helping it spread across the U.S. and beyond.
Why April 20th?
As the number 420 became synonymous with cannabis, April 20th naturally evolved into a celebratory date. Over time, 4/20 transformed into more than just a time to light up—it became a global movement advocating for legalization, cannabis education, and the end of stigma surrounding the plant’s use.
More Than a Holiday—A Platform for Advocacy
While many use the day to enjoy cannabis as a consumer, April 20th also serves as a platform for activists. Events often include educational panels, social equity discussions, and calls for policy reform. Cannabis users and industry leaders alike can use the visibility of the day to push back against outdated stereotypes and highlight the plant’s role in health and wellness.
420 Meets Easter in 2025
This year brings an unusual twist—April 20th falls on Easter Sunday. This rare overlap of holidays has sparked a shift in planning, with many organizers opting to host cannabis events on Saturday, April 19th. The date shift hasn’t dampened the spirit; in fact, it has amplified the celebration across the weekend, giving people more time to participate in the various gatherings and festivities in their communities and across the state.
Bicycle Day Rides in Tandem
April 19th, coincidentally, also celebrates Bicycle Day. On this day in 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hoffmann ingested the first dose of lysergic acid (LSD) and took a bicycle ride which caused him to observe the substance’s mind-altering effects. A cornerstone of the 1960s counter-culture, the U.S. government made LSD illegal in 1968. Like cannabis, LSD is thought to have enormous medical potential despite being a Schedule I drug, so it’s appropriate that their celebration days occur in tandem.
420 Events in Ohio You Shouldn’t Miss
Ohio has embraced the cannabis culture more and more since broader legalization, and this 4/20 weekend is packed with events across the state. Here are some notable ones, including our own education session and celebration:
- MedicateOH and industry partners present The History of Cannabis Culture & the Bone Roaster Disc Golf Tournament (April 19, 2025 – Columbus/Newark)
Hosted by the nonprofit MedicateOH, this event dives into the origins and evolution of cannabis use, featuring an educational seminar at the Columbus Botanical Depot Event Center presented by our Editor in Chief Mary Alleger, MS. Earn a certificate for your participation to help your resume stand out from the crowd and showcase your commitment to the Ohio cannabis community. Keep the vibe going into the evening as we move the party to the Dankhouse in Newark for the Bone Roaster Disc Golf Tournament and cannabis community celebration. Disc golf tournament will kick off at noon with flex start times until 6 p.m. for $25. Get a custom MedicateOH/Sauce branded commemorative disc. Live Music: Kyle Browning opening for FUBAR (reggae, rock, punk) starts at 7 p.m. $10 cover, $10 to enter the VIP tent. Grab some tasty eats from the Shakedown Street food truck, door prizes, raffles and more from MedicateOH and our industry partners. Come celebrate with us in 420 style!
More info/register: MedicateOH Event Page
- Jacobsburg: Ohio Valley 420 Cannabis Fest hosted by Bill Schmitt, Jr. April 18, April 19, and April 20 at 63279 Tar Run Road in Jacobsburg. More info
- Oberlin: BYL (BRING YOUR LUNGS) Music & Arts Festival Oberlin, OH April 19-20, 2025 More info
- Columbus: 420 Gala is billed as the “ultimate cannabis celebration—an electrifying fusion of fashion, art, and music, counting down to 4/20 like New Year’s Eve.” More info
- Cincinnati: On Sunday 4/20, The Peaceful Block Party 2025 will be hosted again this year on Short Vine by Pothead Genius, Trap Natural LTD, & Cincinnati Minority Cannabis Group. More info
Puff Puff Pass Responsibly
Whether you’re lighting up, learning, or simply enjoying the vibes, the 4/20 holiday continues to be a powerful symbol of progress and unity in cannabis culture. This year’s overlap with Easter adds a surreal twist—but the message remains the same: cannabis is here to stay, and the movement to normalize it grows stronger every April 20th.
You can do your part to end the stigma this 4/20 by blazing responsibly. Arrange for transportation if you’re going to be consuming and follow the state laws regarding where and how you partake.
###
