420-The Story So Far
At Royal Cannabis Haus, we believe in celebrating not only cannabis, but also the people who’ve fought, organized, and dreamed to make its acceptance and legalization a reality. Each April 20th, aka 4/20 (4th month/20th day), we recognize a day rooted in protest and reclaimed as a celebration. It’s a time to honour the past, celebrate the present, and advocate for an broader future.
So, how did 420 come to be? And what does it mean in the Canadian context? Let’s break it down:
From 4:20 p.m. to April 20th
The term “420” traces back to 1971, when a group of high school friends in San Rafael, California—nicknamed the Waldos—would meet at 4:20 p.m. to search for a rumoured hidden cannabis crop. “420 Louis” became their private code, and it eventually caught fire in the wider counterculture, thanks in part to the Grateful Dead’s fan community.
As the term spread, April 20th (4/20) naturally became a grassroots holiday for cannabis users—first as a wink-and-nod, and then as an annual act of open defiance against prohibition of cannabis.
Canada Joins the Movement 🇨🇦
In 1995, Vancouver became the first Canadian city to host a 4/20 rally. A modest crowd of around 200 people gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery for a protest-turned-celebration organized by cannabis activist Marc Emery and others. Music, speeches, and shared joints set the tone for what would eventually become one of the largest cannabis gatherings in the world.
Today, cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa host 420 events that draw thousands. But 420 in Canada isn’t just about crowds—it’s about community, and is rooted in our shared, national journey toward acceptance and legalization.
That journey culminated in 2018 when Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis federally. It was a turning point, but not the finish line.
Making Space: 420’s Future
Is 420 about everyone? Is the Cannabis industry open to all?
For many communities, cannabis prohibition has long meant over-policing, discrimination, and barriers to access. Even post-legalization, those challenges continue to exist.
In addition, the Cannabis industry is not as inclusive as it could be, leading to lower rates of participation in cannabis entrepreneurship and employment.
Thankfully, activists, entrepreneurs, industry-partners and community organizers are working to make 420—and the cannabis industry as a whole—more inclusive.
Here are just a few examples of that work:
🌿 LGBTQ+ Leadership
The cannabis and queer rights movements have always shared common ground—fighting stigma, building chosen families, and caring for one another when systems often didn’t.
Today, LGBTQ+ people are active in the cannabis industry and many events and companies across the industry are connecting with queer creators, business owners, and educators. In fact, Royal Cannabis Haus is owned and operated by proud members of the LGBTQ+ community.
🌿 Women in Weed
From grassroots activists like “Brownie Mary” Rathbun to today’s entrepreneurs like Terra Kimery, women have shaped the cannabis industry. Organizations, such as Canadian Women in Cannabis support women-owned cannabis brands and women employees in the industry .
Events and panels during 420 now frequently include conversations about gender equity and inclusion.
🌿 Cannabis and the BIPOC Community
Black and Indigenous Canadians have been disproportionately targeted by cannabis legislation and enforcement. Post-legalization, Black and Indigenous Canadians remain underrepresented in the industry and stigmatized for cannabis use . Groups like the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and local equity advocates continue to push for licensing access, community reinvestment, and fair representation.
However, we want to recognize that there is much success and acheivement by Black and Indigenous people in the cannabis industry. We encourage you to check out Kronic Relief and SEV7N as stellar examples of this.
Haus Party
At Royal Cannabis Haus, we believe cannabis culture should reflect the vibrant, diverse communities it serves. Like you, we will be marking 420 and the benefits of legalized, recreational cannabis. Join us at 22 Northside Rd. and let’s celebrate!