What started as a low-key code word has grown into one of the most widely recognized unofficial holidays in the country. For cannabis consumers, advocates, and curious newcomers, 4/20 is a day to gather, celebrate, and reflect on how far the conversation around cannabis has come.
Here in Troy, that conversation is happening at dispensaries, art spaces, and local venues throughout the Capital Region. And at Casa Verde Dispensary, we’re proud to be part of it!
What Is 4/20? The 4/20 History and Origin of the Date
The widely accepted answer traces back to 1971 at San Rafael High School in Marin County, California. A group of five students, known as the Waldos, used “420” as a private shorthand for meeting up after school to search for a rumored abandoned cannabis crop near Point Reyes. Their agreed-upon time: 4:20 p.m.
The phrase spread quietly at first, moving through counterculture circles and, eventually, through the fan communities surrounding The Grateful Dead. By the 1990s, flyers referencing 4:20 p.m. gatherings were circulating at Grateful Dead shows. Cannabis publications like High Times picked up the reference, and what had been a local inside joke became a cultural symbol recognized across the country and internationally.
A few myths have attached themselves to the date over the years. It does not refer to the number of chemical compounds in the plant (cannabis contains more than 400). And the connection to Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” where 12 multiplied by 35 equals 420, is an entertaining coincidence. The origin of 4/20 is exactly what the Waldos always said it was: a convenient after-school meet-up time that took on a life of its own.
Today, gatherings, festivals, and advocacy events across the country mark the date as a moment to celebrate cannabis and to support ongoing reform efforts. In states like New York, where adult-use cannabis is now legal, April 20 also serves as a milestone, a reminder of how much progress has been made and how much community organizing helped get us here.
4/20 Events Near Me: What’s Happening in Troy, NY?
We’re currently gathering the latest information on 4/20 events happening in Troy, NY. Check back soon as we update this page with upcoming celebrations, local dispensary events, special deals, and more ways to celebrate 4/20 in the Capital Region.
420 Cannabis Deals in Troy and What to Look For
We’re gearing up for an epic 4/20 celebration. Our full lineup of deals and specials will be announced soon.
Be sure to stop by, as we have live music, food trucks, exclusive 4/20 dispensary deals, product drops, and in-store promotions that will be offered for the biggest holiday in cannabis.
In the meantime, browse our menu or visit us in-store to explore our current selection.
For the most current information on what Casa Verde has planned this year, sign up for our newsletter, and feel free to stop in to speak with a budtender on your next visit. Our team is here to help you plan your visit and make informed choices based on your preferences and experience level.
Come Celebrate 4/20 at Our Dispensary in Troy, NY
420 in Troy is more than a shopping event. It’s an opportunity to connect with the local cannabis community, learn something new, and mark a year of progress in New York’s adult-use landscape.
We’d love to see you at Casa Verde Dispensary, located at 15 Campbell Ave #2, Troy, NY 12180.
