People across the UK celebrate 420 day each year (Picture: Getty Images)
A controversial day that’s either loved or loathed across the globe, 420 is here so be prepared for particularly pungent strolls today.
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 2023.
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.
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The exact origins of 420 day are still unknown (Picture: Getty Images)
Events are usually held, with participants also aiming to bring awareness to the cause of the legalisation of marijuana.
The drug is still illegal in the UK, with no current plans to legalise it. It is against the law to possess, sell, distribute and grow cannabis in the UK.
With weed being illegal in many parts of the world, 420 is part-celebration and part-protest against what some see as excessive laws against the drug.
What does 420 mean?
Despite it growing substantially in popularity over the years, the exact origins of the term 420 have not officially been declared.
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 2023?
One of the most notable cannabis events in the UK is the annual Hyde Park 420 gathering.
The event will take place from 11am ultil 6pm, with the event page reading : ‘Join us for a day of education, fun, and community as we come together to celebrate cannabis and learn more about its potential to improve our lives.
‘Our event will feature a variety of educational content, the brands who stand together, and medical professionals who will share their knowledge and expertise with attendees looking to access legal medical cannabis.
Hyde Park’s annual 420 celebration attracts thousands of people (Picture: PA)
The day usually draws in huge crowds of Marijuana aficionados with attendees in the realm of 11,000 people.
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.
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.
The laws around cannabis differ from country to country (Picture: Getty Images)
Many countries across the world have made the move to decriminalize the drug entirely, while others have only made medical cannabis legal, similar to the UK.
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
Thailan
United States (legalised, or in the midst of being legalised in 21 states)
Uruguay
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
Weed has been decriminalised in almost 20 US states (Picture: Getty Images)
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
Germany (only for seriously ill patients who have exhausted other options)
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
Thailand
Turkey (Cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals only)
Ukraine (limited)
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
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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The annual celebration is almost here.
