Happy 420 everyone, the international day of smoking cannabis and celebrating our favorite plant. If you’ve ever stopped to wonder why 4:20pm became the time to smoke weed, then read on as we debunk some theories and explain the true origin.

Some have linked Bob Dylan to the infamous number
While listening to Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” you’ll hear the term “everybody must get stoned” repeated over and over again. Here’s the fun part: when you multiply 12 x 35 you’re left with the number 420. As crazy as this coincidence may seem, there’s no confirmation that Bob Dylan has any ties to 4:20.

Others believe that it’s connected to the plant itself
The cannabis plant may have over 400 chemical compounds, but it has never been confirmed that the exact number is 420.

What about the penal code?
You may have heard theories that the number is linked to the police or congress, with some claiming it’s the dispatch code for cannabis possession. This one is clearly false, as 420 is actually radio code for homicide.

The list goes on
We’ve heard it all, from the day that Bob Marley died (a quick google search can squash this one), tying to Adolf Hitler’s birthday or the clocks in Pulp Fiction. But what’s the real story behind 420? It all started back in 1971 with some high school kids in San Rafael, California. They referred to themselves as “The Waldos” and used the term “420 Louis,” to say that at 4:20pm they would meet by the Louis Pasteur statue to smoke.

As it turns out, one of these kids’ older brothers was friends with a member of the Grateful Dead, and they began smoking with the band at their rehearsal studio in San Rafael. The band began using the “420”, and it quickly spread amongst their fans.

The term really took off when High Times senior editor Steve Bloom noticed a flyer at a Grateful Dead concert that referenced “420” and wrote about it in the magazine. Since then, the term has grown in popularity and is now inextricably linked to consuming cannabis.

So in honor of the Waldos, make sure you’re stocked up on Goods and happy high holidays.

It’s no secret that cannabis has an abundance of positive effects, from easing stress to helping induce sleep. While it hasn’t always been depicted in the most positive light (we’re looking at you, Reefer Madness), we’re here to dispel the myth that cannabis consumption turns you into a zombie. Most cannabis users know that Indica strains are more physically sedating while Sativa strains provide uplifting cerebral effects, but there are a few other factors to consider when planning a productive day paired with cannabis. Keep in mind effects may differ greatly from person to person, but read on for some general tips.

Choose your strain wisely
You may already know that you want to reach for a Sativa dominant strain with invigorating effects to keep your productivity up, but keep in mind that not all strains were created equal. You’ll want a strain that energizes and uplifts you, such as The 11 or Moonshine Haze #6.

Be mindful of cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in cannabis that imitate the compounds our bodies naturally produce, resulting in the relief of ailments such as anxiety or insomnia. When it comes to productivity, steer clear of CBN, which will lull you into a state of unbeatable restfulness, and instead reach for a high presence CBD product that can keep your energy up and promote focus.

Know your terpenes
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its scent and each provide their own unique effect, such as restfulness or pain relief (learn more about them here). Similar to strains and cannabinoids, you’ll want to look out for terpenes that produce a boost of energy and invigoration. Limonene and Terpinolene are both common terpenes known for their energizing effects.

Don’t dose daringly
Low and slow is the name of the game if you’d like to keep productivity up while consuming cannabis. Regardless of how you choose to consume, be sure to allow ample time for the product to kick in before you go back for seconds.

Create a to-do list
Failing to plan means planning to fail when it comes to productivity and cannabis use. Set yourself up for success by creating an action plan before you reach for that pre-roll.

If you have a creative project that you’ve been sitting on for a while, see how smoking Spark enhances the experience. If you’ve been putting off a mundane task for a while, then try hitting Delight before tackling the dishes (your roommates can thank us later). Want to squeeze in a workout but can’t muster up the energy? There’s a strain for that too. There might be some trial and error involved, so be sure to start with some doable tasks that you can have fun and Feel Good while doing.

Got your own tips on how to use cannabis to increase productivity? Share them with us!