What is 420? The meaning behind ‘weed day’ and is it legal in the UK?

Around the world, fans of Marijuana celebrate the green herb on this today – think of it as an unofficial holiday.

Also known as ‘weed day’, 420 falls on the same day every year and one of the largest UK congregations of those marking it is in London.

Here is everything you need to know about the event in 2024.

What is 420 day?

Today – 420 – is celebrated every year on April 20, with April being the fourth month of the year.

It sees people across the world lighting up a spliff and coming together to celebrate the herb.

The term has been much discussed among many who partake in both the day and the drug.

According to legend, the date goes back to 1971, when a group of students at San Rafael High School in California would meet at 4.20pm every day for a joint and a catch-up.

The group – who called themselves The Waldos – then started to use the time to describe the act of smoking itself, and thus 420 was born.

Due to the fact that Americans tend to write the 20th April as 4/20, it naturally became the official day to mark getting high.

There are many other theories surrounding how 420 was popularised, with some believing it was police code for cops to signal when they’d caught someone smoking (although the three digits are actually the code for murder).

Others believe it has something to do with the chemical compounds in cannabis, while others have come up with suitably stonerific Bob Dylan-based conspiracy theories.

Is anything happening in Hyde Park in 2024?

One of the most notable cannabis events in the UK is the annual Hyde Park 420 gathering.

While there is no official event this year, a large gathering is expected to take place from 11am until 5pm.

There’s also an unofficial Medical Cannabis Patient Picnic in the park too.

Cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK, meaning there is the possibility a five-year prison sentence if you are caught in possession of the drug.

What other 420 events are happening in the UK?

In Bristol, 420 at Castle Park takes place from 12pm to 11:55pm with a number of sponsors giving away freebies.

There’s also an after party running complete with DJs scheduled to take place at The Warehouse.

In Belfast, there’s a 420 march, starting at 2.30pm at City Hall. With a live musical performance from Micheál Ó Dálaigh protesters can enjoy the tunes before setting off at 3:30 pm.

The march will cross the city, heading to Botanic Gardens to arrive at 4:10pm – just in time for the 420 celebrations to start.

The Glasgow University Cannabis Society is hosting a 420 get-together in Kelvingrove Park, if you’re up in Scotland.

The event promises live music and runs from 2pm to 6pm.

In what countries is weed legal?

While medicinal cannabis was made legal in the UK in 2018, it is still illegal to use it recreationally.

If you are caught growing Marijuana, you can face up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

Where in the world is weed legal?

Find out where weed is legal worldwide below:

Recreational use fully legal

The following countries allow you to possess weed for personal use.

• Australia (only legal in Australian Capital Territory)
• Canada
• Malta
• Thailand
• United States (legalised, or in the midst of being legalised in 21 states)
• Uruguay (Legal, but buying prohibited for foreigner)
• Germany

The following 21 American states have legalised, or are legalising, Marijuana for personal use:

• Arizona 
• California 
• Colorado 
• Connecticut 
• Illinois 
• Maine 
• Massachusetts 
• Michigan 
• Missouri
• Montana 
• Nevada 
• New Jersey 
• New Mexico 
• New York 
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Rhode Island 
• Vermont 
• Virginia 
• Washington 

Plus:

• Northern Mariana Islands
• Guam

Medical prescription-only

• Argentina (recreational use also decriminalised, but purchase illegal)
• Australia (at federal level and all states)
• Austria
• Barbados (also legal for spiritual use by registered Rastafarians)
• Belgium (recreational use also decriminalised for up to 3g)
• Bermuda (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Brazil (only for terminally ill patients or those who have no other treatment options)
• Chile (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Columbia (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Croatia (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Finland
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Greece
• Ireland
• Israel (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Italy (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Jamaica (recreational use also decriminalised)
• South Korea (access limited)
• Lebanon
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Malawi
• Malta (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Mexico (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Netherlands (recreational consumption allowed in licensed coffee shops)
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Peru (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Poland
• Portugal (recreational use also decriminalised)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• San Marino
• Slovenia (recreational use also decriminalised)
• South Africa (also legal for cultivation but not for sale)
• Spain (limited)
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden (under limited circumstances)
• Switzerland
• Turkey (Cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals only)
• Ukraine (limited)
• United Kingdom
• Vanuatu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

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All other countries deem weed to be illegal, although there are a few where the law tends to be largely unenforced by police and prosecutions are not made.

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