April 20 — often written as 4/20 or simply “420” — is widely known as “National Weed Day,” an unofficial holiday linked to marijuana. Each year, it prompts curiosity, celebration with 4/20 events nationwide, and confusion, especially in states like New Jersey where weed is legal for adults, but new rules for hemp products and beverages have rolled out.
Beyond marijuana use, 4/20 has been tied to education, advocacy and public events, but also brings a surge in questions over what 4/20 actually means — and what is legal or not legal to buy or have on you when it comes to THC, weed and hemp.
Those questions are especially common in New Jersey, where legal weed intersects with changing regulations around hemp-derived THC products, cannabis beverages and public use. With April 20 drawing attention to weed culture, understanding the myth, significance and symbolism and the law is more important than ever.
The history and significant of 4/20, which refers to April 20, traces back and has become shorthand for marijuana culture, an unofficial holiday often referred to as “National Marijuana Day” or simply “Weed Day.” The date is associated with cannabis use, advocacy, and in some places, public gatherings and “420” events.
Today, 4/20 is celebrated across states where weed is legal, and even in places where weed is not legal, the day leads to questions about what the laws allow and where limits apply for marijuana, hemp, THC and other substances.
4/20 history, meaning and significance dates to the 1970s, when a group of San Rafael, California high school students used the term “420” as code to meet at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana by a wall, inspiring their nickname “the Waldos,” according to National Today and History. Over time, “420” spread through music, specifically the Grateful Dead scene, pop culture and cannabis activism and became a symbol tied to weed itself.
By the 1990s, April 20 was widely recognized as a day symbolically linked to marijuana — well before most states moved to legalize it. What is definitely not legal? Stealing highway mile markers labeled “420.”
Despite the origins of “420” in history, some recall vague tales about its origins, though none are borne from credible evidence. Here’s some common misconceptions about 4/20 origins and significance:
In New Jersey, marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older — but 4/20 still raises questions since cannabis laws recently passed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill don’t treat all THC products the same.
Why the legal marijuana gray area? Marijuana sold through licensed NJ dispensaries are regulated one way, while hemp-derived THC products are regulated under a different legal framework.
And just days before 4/20, Sherill signed new rules governing intoxicating hemp products — meaning that products that once appeared widely available at dispensaries and convenience stores are now subject to tighter restrictions. So what is still allowed in NJ?
New Jersey law allows adults 21 and older to legally buy and possess marijuana, but the rules don’t stop there. Much of the confusion around 4/20 stems from the fact that marijuana, hemp and THC products are regulated differently under state law — even though they may appear similar to consumers.
Adult‑use marijuana can only be purchased at licensed New Jersey dispensaries, and possession limits apply. Public use is still restricted, and local ordinances can further limit where cannabis can be sold or consumed.
At the same time, hemp‑derived products — including some THC‑infused beverages, gummies and vapes — fall under a separate regulatory framework. Those products are legal at the federal level but have increasingly been targeted by new state rules in New Jersey, particularly as officials move to limit where and how they can be sold.
We broke down exactly what’s legal in New Jersey — and what isn’t — when it comes to marijuana, hemp and THC products, including beverages and edibles. Click here for the full rundown ➯ What’s legal in NJ? THC rules updated for hemp, marijuana by 4/20
How much weed can you carry in New Jersey while in public? Just because marijuana is legal in NJ, that doesn’t mean there’s no rules — it depends on where you are and what type of produce you have on you.
In general:
Weed is legal in NJ, so what’s the big deal? Even in states with legal marijuana, 4/20 remains a focal point for cannabis culture — and for conversations about regulation. In New Jersey, recent changes to hemp and THC rules have only intensified their attention, with queries about how much you can carry, whether hemp and marijuana are treated the same, and if THC percentage matters.
“420” now serves as a cultural marker and reminder the legislation comes with distinctions, enforcement rules and evolving policies that continue to shape how cannabis is treated under state law.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.