What is 420 and why do people go to Hyde Park?
CELEBRATING 420 day is a big date in the calendar for cannabis users.
Across the world, enthusiasts will get together and share their love for the herb.
What is 420?
420 is the slang term used to reference cannabis.
Around the world, lovers of the herb annually celebrate it.
The term appeals to cannabis users as a way to discuss it without non-smokers being aware of the topic of conversation.
People will often even state on dating profiles that they are "420 friendly".
Those who are unaware of the meaning of the term will often be oblivious to the reference.
Why is 420 celebrated?
For many countries where the drug is not permitted, it is a chance to campaign for its legalisation.
Particularly in America, where laws vary from state to state, people would gather to enjoy the social use of the plant while demanding for change in the country's approach to cannabis.
This has become all the more popular in the UK too.
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The unofficial holiday is an ever more popular day in the calendar for cannabis users, meeting with like-minded people to enjoy their hobby.
What relevance does 420 have to smoking cannabis?
Urban legend suggested that 420 was formerly the penal code that Californian police used to categorise marijuana cases.
However, this theory has been discredited as the digits are linked to trespassing offences.
Many believe that 420 culture first stemmed from the San Rafael High School in California.
In 1971, five students allegedly hatched a plan to meet at 4.20pm, where they embarked on a mission to find a plot of cannabis plants that were growing nearby.
Even though their mission was unsuccessful, rumour has it that 420 continued to be used as a secret code for marijuana.
Today, it remains a term used to describe the consumption of weed, especially at around 4.20pm in the afternoon.
Why do people go to Hyde Park?
Festivities are widespread in North America, where observances have been held in locations including Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, and Parliament Hill in Ontario.
Cannabis lovers in other countries have also adopted the tradition.
Hyde Park, London, has proven a hotspot for Weed Day celebrations over the years, where groups gather to smoke weed.
At some events, revellers have used the festivity to protest for the legalisation of marijuana.
In previous years, Snapchat has launched a Weed Day face filter option on April 20.
Is smoking cannabis legal in the United Kingdom?
The Home Office states that: “It remains illegal for UK residents to possess cannabis in any form.”
Growing, possessing or distributing the Class B drug is against the law, but some councils in the UK don’t pursue those who use cannabis for “personal use”.
The maximum punishment for cannabis possession is five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
If you are caught with cannabis you could be issued a warning or an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Cases of dealing or trafficking drugs can lead to convictions of up to 14 years in prison.
However, medical forms of marijuana are available over the counter or by prescription in the UK - but sales are heavily monitored and regulated.
Doctors were given the go-ahead to prescribe cannabis products to patients from November 1, 2018.