Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    How 4/20 Became 420

    Today is April 20. For some people, that's just the day after April 19. For others, it's the unofficial marijuana holiday. The story about how "420" became associated with pot has been clouded by an aromatic haze over the years. But one thing's for sure, it's not just an underground term anymore.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    By Madeleine Brand • Apr 20, 2015 • 1 min read

    Today is April 20. For some people, that's just the day after April 19. For others, it's the unofficial marijuana holiday. The story about how "420" became associated with pot has been clouded by an aromatic haze over the years. But one thing's for sure, it's not just an underground term anymore. The medical marijuana bill that was signed into law back in 2003 started in the California Senate as SB 420. We learn the history of how 4/20 became 420.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Ryan Grim

      Huffington Post

      News
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand